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Cambridge Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public in Cambridge, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that records generated by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to ensure governmental transparency and to uphold citizens' right to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities. The Cambridge Police Department adheres to these regulations by making non-exempt arrest information available through established protocols.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic functions, including enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities, facilitating journalistic reporting on public safety matters, and allowing individuals to verify the accuracy of information pertaining to their own interactions with law enforcement agencies. Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c).

How to Look Up Cambridge Arrest Records in 2025

The Cambridge Police Department maintains multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. As of 2025, the following methods are available to individuals seeking such information:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Cambridge Police Department Records Unit located at 125 Sixth Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Online Access: The Cambridge Police Department has implemented a digital records portal where certain arrest information may be accessed electronically. Users must register and may be required to pay applicable fees for document retrieval.
Written Requests: Individuals may submit formal written requests for arrest records by completing the Application for Public Records form available through the police report request portal. Completed forms should be submitted to: Records Access Officer, Cambridge Police Department, 125 Sixth Street, Cambridge, MA 02142.
State-Level Records: For cases involving state jurisdiction, requests may be directed to the Massachusetts State Police Headquarters, 470 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702. Telephone: (508) 820-2300.
Public Access Terminals: Designated computer terminals at the Cambridge Public Library Main Branch (449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138) provide access to redacted arrest logs and other public safety information.

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), the Records Access Officer must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07, which permits reasonable charges for document reproduction and staff time.

Contents of a Cambridge Arrest Record

Standard Cambridge arrest records contain specific categories of information as mandated by Massachusetts law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, address of residence, and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Offense Information: Detailed enumeration of charges filed against the individual, including applicable Massachusetts General Laws citations and offense classifications (misdemeanor or felony).
Processing Data: Booking number, fingerprint identification information, and the facility where the individual was initially detained following arrest.
Case Disposition: Initial court appearance information, bail determination, and preliminary hearing schedules when available.
Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, identifying marks, and other physical characteristics as documented during the booking process.

The Cambridge Police Department maintains these records in accordance with the department's records retention schedule as approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth under M.G.L. c. 66, § 8. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations as permitted under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cambridge

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by Cambridge law enforcement agencies. The process is governed by M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, which establishes specific criteria for expungement eligibility.

Individuals seeking expungement of Cambridge arrest records must file a petition with the court of jurisdiction that handled their case. Eligibility requirements include:

Cases resulting in no conviction (dismissal, not guilty finding, nolle prosequi)
Sufficient waiting period has elapsed (typically 3-7 years depending on offense type)
No subsequent criminal convictions during the waiting period
The offense does not fall within statutory exclusions for expungement

The petition process requires submission of standardized forms to the appropriate court clerk's office. For Cambridge arrests, petitions are typically filed with:

Middlesex County Superior Court
200 Trade Center, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 939-2700
Massachusetts Court System

Cambridge District Court
4040 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA 02155
Phone: (781) 306-2710
Massachusetts Court System

Upon successful expungement, all records of the arrest are removed from public access and official databases. Law enforcement agencies, including the Cambridge Police Department, are required to seal or destroy records pursuant to the court order. The legal effect of expungement is to restore the individual to the status they occupied before the arrest, as if it had never occurred.

The Cambridge Police Department maintains compliance with expungement orders through its Records Management System, which flags and removes expunged records from public access and internal searches except as specifically authorized by law.

Legal Restrictions on Using Arrest Records

Massachusetts law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be utilized, particularly in employment and housing contexts. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(9), employers are prohibited from inquiring about arrests that did not result in conviction. Additionally, the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Reform Law restricts when and how employers, housing providers, and other entities may access and use criminal history information.

The Cambridge Human Rights Commission, located at 51 Inman Street, 2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139 (Phone: 617-349-4396), provides oversight and enforcement of these protections within city limits. Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties and administrative sanctions.

Key restrictions include:

Employers may not inquire about arrests not resulting in conviction at any stage of the hiring process
Housing providers may not categorically deny housing based solely on arrest records
Licensing authorities must consider specific factors before denying licensure based on criminal history
Public and private entities must secure written authorization before accessing CORI information
Records must be securely maintained and destroyed when no longer needed

The Cambridge Police Department provides informational resources to assist community members in understanding their rights regarding the use of arrest records. These materials are available at the department headquarters and through the city's official website.

Annual Crime Statistics and Arrest Data

The Cambridge Police Department publishes comprehensive annual crime reports that include aggregated arrest data and crime statistics. These reports provide valuable context for understanding law enforcement activities within the city. The 2021 Annual Crime Report and 2022 Annual Crime Report contain detailed analyses of arrest patterns, crime trends, and departmental responses.

These reports categorize arrests by offense type, geographic distribution, demographic information, and temporal patterns. The data is presented in accordance with Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) standards established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, allowing for standardized comparison with other jurisdictions.

The Cambridge Police Department utilizes this information to inform resource allocation, community policing strategies, and policy development. Members of the public may access these reports to gain insight into public safety trends within their neighborhoods and the city as a whole.