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Tewksbury Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Tewksbury, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that government-generated records, including arrest logs and incident reports, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and to uphold the public's right to information.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), which protects records when:

Disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Release might compromise ongoing law enforcement investigations
Information pertains to juveniles (under 18 years of age)
Records contain Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) protected under M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 172

The Tewksbury Police Department maintains these records and processes requests in accordance with statutory requirements, typically responding within 10 business days as mandated by state law.

How to Look Up Tewksbury Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Tewksbury have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The Massachusetts Public Records Law establishes that these records must be made reasonably accessible through various channels. The following options are available for accessing Tewksbury arrest records:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Tewksbury Police Department to submit a records request during regular business hours. Staff will assist with completing the necessary forms and identifying specific records.

Tewksbury Police Department
918 Main Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Phone: 978-851-7373
Official Website

Online Submission: The Online Records Request portal allows requestors to submit forms electronically. This system provides confirmation of receipt and tracking capabilities.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be sent via postal mail to the Records Division at the police department address. Requests must include specific information about the desired records, contact information, and preferred delivery method.
Town Clerk's Office: For historical arrest records or certified copies, the Town Clerk maintains certain public safety records.

Tewksbury Town Clerk's Office
1009 Main Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Phone: 978-640-4355
Official Website

Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a), the custodian of records must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07, which permits reasonable charges for search time, reproduction costs, and materials.

Contents of a Tewksbury Arrest Record

Tewksbury arrest records contain standardized information as required by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols and public records statutes. These documents typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information: Full legal name, date of birth, address, and physical description of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Incident Information: Case number, nature of the incident, and circumstances leading to the arrest
Criminal Charges: Specific Massachusetts General Laws violations cited, including chapter and section references
Booking Information: Fingerprints, photographs, and processing details
Court Information: Initial appearance date, bail/bond amount if applicable
Disposition Status: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system

The Communications Center of the Tewksbury Police Department maintains these records in both electronic and physical formats. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with exemptions under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license information
Medical information
Information that might compromise ongoing investigations
Victim information in certain cases

Expungement of Arrest Records in Tewksbury

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018. Individuals seeking expungement of Tewksbury arrest records must comply with statutory requirements and procedural guidelines.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Cases resulting in no conviction (dismissal, not guilty verdict, nolle prosequi)
Cases involving mistaken identity or unauthorized use of identity
Offenses that are no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law
Certain juvenile records after statutory waiting periods
Cases meeting the "time-based" expungement provisions for single offenses

The expungement process requires:

Submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation using the prescribed form
Payment of any applicable filing fees
Provision of supporting documentation establishing eligibility
Notification to the District Attorney's office
Judicial review and determination

Upon approval, expungement results in the permanent deletion of records from all criminal justice agencies, including the Tewksbury Police Department. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100M, expunged records shall not be disclosed or used for any purpose, including employment or housing applications.

The Public Records division of Tewksbury provides guidance on expungement procedures, though the actual petition must be filed with the Commissioner of Probation at:

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

Legal Considerations for Accessing Tewksbury Arrest Records

Access to arrest records in Tewksbury is subject to various legal frameworks that balance public transparency with individual privacy rights. The Massachusetts Public Records Law establishes the presumption of accessibility while recognizing certain limitations.

Key legal considerations include:

Response Timeframes: Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a), records custodians must respond to requests within 10 business days.
Fee Structure: Pursuant to 950 CMR 32.07, reasonable fees may be assessed for search time and reproduction costs. The first two hours of search time must be provided free of charge for standard requests.
Appeals Process: If a request is denied, requestors may appeal to the Supervisor of Public Records within 90 days as provided in M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10A.
CORI Restrictions: Criminal Offender Record Information is subject to additional restrictions under M.G.L. Chapter 6, Section 172, limiting access to authorized entities.
Sealing Provisions: Records that have been sealed by court order under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100A are not publicly accessible.

The Tewksbury Police Department's Records Division adheres to these legal frameworks when processing requests. Requestors should be aware that certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions.

Using Tewksbury Arrest Records

Arrest records obtained from Tewksbury authorities may be utilized for various legitimate purposes, subject to legal restrictions on their use. Members of the public should be aware of both permissible and prohibited uses of these records.

Authorized uses include:

Personal information verification
Background research for legitimate business purposes
Academic or journalistic research
Legal proceedings and investigations
Statistical analysis by authorized agencies

Prohibited uses under Massachusetts law include:

Discrimination in housing, employment, or credit decisions based solely on arrest records (M.G.L. Chapter 151B)
Commercial solicitation or marketing without consent
Identity theft or fraudulent activities
Harassment or intimidation of record subjects
Republication without proper context or updates regarding case disposition

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination enforces anti-discrimination provisions related to criminal record information. Violations may result in civil penalties and remedial action.