Arrest records are public documents in Hudson, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests, are presumptively public unless specifically exempted by law. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains that transparency in law enforcement activities serves the public interest by ensuring accountability of government agencies. Arrest records, which document the detention and booking of individuals by law enforcement authorities, fall within the category of public records that citizens may access and review.
The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, which oversees public records compliance, affirms that arrest logs maintained by police departments are public records subject to disclosure. However, certain sensitive information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c). Such redactions typically include social security numbers, medical information, and details pertaining to victims of certain crimes.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Hudson, Massachusetts have multiple methods available for obtaining this information as of 2025. The Hudson Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and provides several options for access:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Hudson Police Department headquarters. Requesters should complete a public records request form and present valid identification.
Hudson Police Department
911 Municipal Drive
Hudson, MA 01749
(978) 562-7122
Hudson Police Department website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division at the address listed above. Requests must include the requester's full name, contact information, and specific details about the records being sought.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the town's official portal. The Massachusetts Public Records Law requires agencies to respond to requests within 10 business days.
Third-party aggregator services that compile public records data from multiple jurisdictions may also provide access to Hudson arrest records. Users of such services should verify that providers comply with Massachusetts regulations regarding the dissemination of public records.
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), the Records Access Officer may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Fee schedules are posted at the police department and on the official website.
Hudson arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These records typically include the following elements:
The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) maintains standards for the uniform collection and storage of this information across all law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth. Records are maintained in both physical and digital formats, with increasing emphasis on electronic storage and retrieval systems.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement of Hudson arrest records when:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Massachusetts Probation Service and the court of jurisdiction. Forms are available through the Massachusetts Court System website or at:
Massachusetts Probation Service
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-5300
Upon receipt of a petition, the court conducts a review to determine eligibility. If granted, expungement results in the permanent deletion of all records pertaining to the arrest from public databases and physical archives. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100T, expunged records are not accessible through public records requests and the individual may legally respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred.
The Massachusetts Criminal Records Review Board provides oversight of the expungement process to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and to prevent improper disclosure of expunged information.
While arrest records in Hudson are generally public, Massachusetts law imposes certain restrictions on access and dissemination. These limitations include:
The Hudson Police Department's Records Access Officer reviews all requests for arrest records to ensure compliance with these statutory limitations. Denials of access may be appealed to the Supervisor of Public Records within the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office.
Massachusetts law establishes parameters for the permissible uses of arrest record information obtained from public sources. Authorized uses include:
The Massachusetts Fair Information Practices Act (M.G.L. c. 66A) and the Consumer Protection Act (M.G.L. c. 93A) provide remedies for individuals who experience harm resulting from improper use or dissemination of arrest record information. Violations may result in civil penalties and injunctive relief.