Lowell Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Lowell, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Lowell, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes the legal framework for public access to governmental records throughout the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. This legal framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with the right to access information regarding arrests and other law enforcement activities conducted by the Lowell Police Department.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this open records policy to promote accountability within law enforcement agencies and to ensure that the public remains informed about criminal activity within their communities. However, certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exemptions provided in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), such as information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or information that could compromise an ongoing investigation.
How to Look Up Lowell Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lowell have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The Lowell Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and provides several access options:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Records Division of the Lowell Police Department, located at 50 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA 01852. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests may be submitted via mail to: Records Division, Lowell Police Department, 50 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA 01852. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), the department must respond to such requests within 10 business days.
Electronic requests can be submitted through the City of Lowell's online request portal. This system allows requestors to track the status of their applications and receive digital copies of available records.
The City Clerk's Office at 375 Merrimack Street, 1st Floor, Room 31, Lowell, MA 01852 (Phone: 978-674-1154) serves as the Records Access Officer for the city and can assist with complex requests.
Requestors should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and copying services. The current fee structure, as established by 950 CMR 32.07, allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for search time and reproduction costs. For standard black and white copies, the fee is $0.05 per page, while certified copies may incur additional charges.
Contents of a Lowell Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Lowell Police Department contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. These records typically include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, and physical description
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of all charges filed against the individual
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information, including the unique booking identification number assigned to the case
- Photographic documentation (mugshots) taken during the booking process
- Biometric data, including fingerprints collected at the time of booking
- Disposition information, if available, indicating whether the individual was released on bail, held in custody, or transferred to another facility
- Incident report number for cross-reference with related police reports
The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law (M.G.L. c. 6, § 172) governs the dissemination of certain criminal history information and may limit access to some details contained in arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles or certain protected categories of offenses.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Lowell
Under Massachusetts law, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U. Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure and destruction of records, rendering them inaccessible to both the public and government agencies.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Lowell include:
- Cases resulting in a finding of not guilty or dismissal
- Arrests made due to mistaken identity or false identification
- Offenses that have been decriminalized since the time of arrest
- Cases where the individual has completed a diversion program, resulting in dismissal
- Certain juvenile records after a waiting period as specified in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100F
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation and the appropriate court that handled the case. Forms for this purpose are available at the Lowell District Court, located at 41 Hurd Street, Lowell, MA 01852. The petition undergoes judicial review, during which the court considers:
- The petitioner's age at the time of the offense
- The time elapsed since the offense
- The nature of the offense
- Any subsequent criminal activity
- The potential impact of expungement on public safety
If granted, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining records of the arrest, including the Lowell Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These agencies must then permanently destroy all physical and electronic records pertaining to the arrest.
The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 expanded expungement eligibility, particularly for offenses committed before age 21 and for cases involving fraudulent use of the petitioner's identity.
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