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Belmont Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Belmont, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public in Belmont, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government-held documents, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this transparency to ensure governmental accountability and to uphold the public's right to information regarding law enforcement activities within municipal jurisdictions such as Belmont.

The Public Records Access Officer in Belmont oversees the dissemination of these records in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is accessible, certain exemptions may apply as outlined in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), particularly regarding ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights beyond statutory allowances.

How to Look Up Belmont Arrest Records in 2025

The Town of Belmont provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official methods:

Submit a formal public records request to the Belmont Police Department either in person, by mail, or through their online portal.
Visit the Records Division at the Belmont Police Department headquarters during regular business hours to request and review arrest records.
Access the department's online database of recent arrests and police activity reports through the official municipal website.
File a request with the Massachusetts State Police Criminal History Systems Board for comprehensive statewide arrest information that may include Belmont arrests.
Submit a written request to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office for arrest records related to prosecuted cases.

Belmont Police Department
460 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: (617) 484-1212
Official Police Department Website

Pursuant to Massachusetts Public Records Law, requestors may expect a response within 10 business days of submission. Fees for record retrieval and copying may apply in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07.

Contents of a Belmont Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Belmont Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These records typically include:

Complete demographic information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, address, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest incident
Statutory citations and descriptions of all criminal charges filed
Arresting officer's name, badge number, and departmental affiliation
Incident report number and booking identification references
Custody status information, including detention location if applicable
Bail or bond determination details and conditions of release
Court appearance scheduling information
Booking photographs ("mugshots") and fingerprint records
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Public Records Exemptions under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), including but not limited to: Social Security numbers, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Belmont

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by the Belmont Police Department and other state agencies. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U (as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018), expungement may be granted under the following circumstances:

The arrest resulted in no criminal charges being filed
All charges were dismissed prior to arraignment
The individual was found not guilty of all charges
The case resulted in a nolle prosequi (formal abandonment of prosecution)
The arrest record resulted from mistaken identity or demonstrable fraud
The offense is no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law

Petitioners must file the appropriate documentation with the Commissioner of Probation and the court of jurisdiction. The standard waiting period is three years from the date of disposition for misdemeanor arrests and seven years for felony arrests, though exceptions exist for cases involving mistaken identity or fraud.

The Massachusetts Probation Service reviews all petitions in coordination with the Belmont Police Department and relevant district attorney's office. If granted, expungement results in the physical destruction of all arrest records, including electronic entries in law enforcement databases.

Office of the Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-5300
Massachusetts Probation Service Website

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Belmont are generally accessible to the public, Massachusetts law establishes several important restrictions governing their dissemination and use. The Town of Belmont adheres to these statutory limitations, which include:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) restrictions under M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167-178, which limit access to certain criminal history information
Prohibition against commercial use of bulk arrest data without specific authorization
Sealing provisions for records of certain offenses after designated waiting periods
Juvenile arrest records (under age 18), which receive heightened confidentiality protections
Domestic violence arrest information, which may be subject to additional privacy safeguards
Records pertaining to sexual assault victims, which are subject to redaction requirements

Employers, housing providers, and other entities seeking arrest record information must comply with Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws, including "Ban the Box" provisions under M.G.L. Chapter 151B, which restrict inquiries about certain arrest records during initial employment applications.

The Public Records Requests process in Belmont includes review procedures to ensure compliance with these restrictions before records are released.

Arrest Records vs. Criminal History Reports

It is important for requestors to understand the distinction between arrest records and comprehensive criminal history reports in Massachusetts. The Belmont Police Department maintains arrest records that document specific incidents within their jurisdiction, while the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) maintains the statewide Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system.

Arrest records typically contain:

Details of a specific arrest incident in Belmont
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking information and photographs
Initial court appearance data

CORI reports, by contrast, include:

Comprehensive statewide criminal history information
Case disposition details (convictions, dismissals, etc.)
Sentencing information
Probation and parole status
Multiple jurisdiction records

Individuals seeking complete criminal history information beyond Belmont arrest records must submit a separate request to the Massachusetts DCJIS in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 172.

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Phone: (617) 660-4600
Massachusetts DCJIS Website