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Hopkinton Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Hopkinton, Massachusetts?

Arrest records in Hopkinton, Massachusetts are considered public documents pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth, including those maintained by municipal law enforcement agencies. The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The public nature of arrest records serves several governmental and societal functions:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Ensures accountability of public officials
Provides citizens with information about criminal activity in their community
Facilitates research and statistical analysis of crime patterns

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in specific circumstances as outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26). These exceptions include, but are not limited to:

Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records related to juvenile offenders (under 18 years of age)
Information that could compromise public safety if disclosed

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the records are generally accessible, certain information within them may be redacted in accordance with applicable exemptions under state law.

How to Look Up Hopkinton Arrest Records in 2025

The Hopkinton Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within municipal boundaries. Multiple methods exist for accessing these public records in compliance with Massachusetts Public Records Law.

In-person requests may be submitted at:

Hopkinton Police Department
74 Main Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Phone: (508) 497-3401
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

For electronic submissions, the department accepts public records requests through the following channels:

Online submission via the Public Records Request form available on the Hopkinton Police Department website
Email requests sent to records@hopkintonpd.org
Written requests mailed to the department address

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), the Records Access Officer must respond to requests within 10 business days. Requestors may be required to pay reasonable fees for document reproduction, search time, and other administrative costs as permitted under 950 CMR 32.07.

For comprehensive criminal history information beyond local arrest records, individuals may contact:

Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Phone: (617) 660-4600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The DCJIS maintains the statewide Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system, which contains more extensive criminal history data than municipal arrest records alone.

Contents of a Hopkinton Arrest Record

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

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Photograph (mugshot) and fingerprints
Incident-specific information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Statutory charges filed
- Case/incident number
- Arresting officer identification
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
Post-arrest processing details:
- Booking information
- Detention status
- Bail determination
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of charges (if available)

In accordance with the Town Charter & Bylaws and Massachusetts state regulations, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information related to sexual assault victims
Details that could compromise ongoing investigations

The completeness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of criminal proceedings and applicable disclosure restrictions under M.G.L. c. 6, § 172.

Legal Uses of Arrest Records in Hopkinton

Massachusetts law establishes parameters for the permissible uses of arrest record information obtained from public sources. These records serve multiple legitimate functions within the legal and civic framework.

Authorized uses of arrest records include:

Background screening for employment in positions involving public safety, vulnerable populations, or financial responsibility
Tenant screening by property owners and management companies
Due diligence investigations for business transactions
Research and statistical analysis by academic institutions and policy organizations
Journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
Individual verification of personal record accuracy

Employers utilizing arrest records must comply with the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Reform Law (Chapter 256 of the Acts of 2010), which prohibits asking about criminal history on initial job applications and requires specific procedures for accessing and using CORI information.

The Town Clerk's Office can provide guidance on local regulations pertaining to records use:

Hopkinton Town Clerk's Office
18 Main Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Phone: (508) 497-9710
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Tuesday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Improper use of arrest record information may result in civil or criminal penalties under Massachusetts law, including potential liability under M.G.L. c. 151B for employment discrimination based on criminal history.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Hopkinton

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure of records from both public access and law enforcement databases, as distinguished from record sealing which merely restricts access.

The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 (Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018) expanded expungement eligibility. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement if:

The arrest resulted from mistaken identity or the unauthorized use of personal identifying information
The offense was committed by another person using the petitioner's identity
The case was dismissed with prejudice prior to arraignment
The offense is no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law
The petitioner was under 21 at the time of the offense, and specific time requirements have been met

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the case originated. Petitioners must submit:

A completed petition form
Supporting documentation establishing eligibility
Certified copies of relevant court records
Filing fee or fee waiver request

The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that expungement serves justice. If granted, all records pertaining to the arrest will be permanently destroyed, including those maintained by:

Hopkinton Police Department
Massachusetts State Police
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
All court records systems

Individuals seeking expungement should consult with legal counsel to navigate this complex process effectively.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Hopkinton are generally public, Massachusetts law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility and use. These limitations serve to balance transparency with privacy concerns and the presumption of innocence.

Statutory restrictions include:

Juvenile records (under 18): Protected under M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A, with limited access permitted only to authorized parties
Sealed records: Following successful petition under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A-100C, records become unavailable to the general public
Expunged records: Completely removed from all systems pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U
Ongoing investigations: Records may be temporarily withheld if disclosure could compromise active law enforcement proceedings
Privacy exemptions: Information that constitutes an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c)

Additionally, the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 established "look-back" periods limiting the disclosure of certain older offenses in CORI reports provided to employers and housing providers:

Misdemeanor convictions: Not reportable after 3 years
Felony convictions: Not reportable after 7 years
Certain serious offenses: Remain permanently reportable

The Hopkinton Police Department adheres to these statutory restrictions when processing public records requests for arrest information.