Woburn Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Woburn, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Woburn, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal jurisdictions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this transparency to ensure governmental accountability and to provide citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law specifically designates arrest logs, booking information, and related documentation as public records accessible to any member of the public. However, certain exceptions apply in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26), which protects information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, victims of sexual assault, and domestic violence incidents. These protected categories are exempt from public disclosure to safeguard privacy rights and the integrity of the judicial process.
Residents and interested parties may access Woburn arrest records through established channels, including direct requests to the Woburn Police Department or through the municipal court system. The availability of these records serves the public interest by providing transparency in law enforcement operations while maintaining appropriate privacy protections as mandated by state law.
How to Look Up Woburn Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Woburn have multiple official channels through which they may submit their requests. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these documents:
- In-Person Requests at the Woburn Police Department: Individuals may visit the Records Division during regular business hours to submit a formal request for arrest records.
Woburn Police Department
25 Harrison Avenue
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 933-1212
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Woburn District Court Inquiries: For cases that have entered the judicial system, records may be requested from the court clerk's office.
Woburn District Court
30 Pleasant Street
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 935-4000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Online Record Request Portal: The City of Woburn maintains an electronic system for submitting public records requests. Requestors must provide specific information including the name of the individual, date of arrest (if known), and the requestor's contact information.
Written Requests: Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(b), written requests may be submitted to the Records Access Officer at the Woburn Police Department. Requests must include sufficient detail to identify the specific records sought.
The custodian of records is required by law to respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply for search, retrieval, and reproduction of documents in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07.
Contents of a Woburn Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Woburn Police Department contain standardized information as required by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrestee, date of birth, gender, and last known address
- Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, eye and hair color, and documentation of identifying features such as scars, marks, or tattoos
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and precise location where the apprehension occurred
- Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section citations
- Case Identifiers: Arrest number, incident report number, and booking reference numbers
- Processing Data: Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s), booking officer, and supervising personnel
- Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, detention status, or release conditions
- Photographic Documentation: Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during processing
- Biometric Data: Fingerprint classification information and reference numbers
It should be noted that pursuant to the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law, M.G.L. Chapter 6, Sections 167-178B, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, particularly in cases involving protected categories of individuals or ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Woburn
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has established statutory provisions for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 (Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018) expanded eligibility for expungement, providing a pathway for certain individuals to have their arrest records permanently removed from public access.
Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement if their case meets one of the following criteria:
- The arrest resulted from a demonstrable error by law enforcement
- The arrest was connected to an offense that has since been decriminalized
- The petitioner was a victim of identity theft or fraud that led to the creation of the record
- The record resulted from a juvenile offense and meets specific time requirements
- The record pertains to a non-violent offense that occurred before the petitioner's 21st birthday
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the case was adjudicated. For Woburn residents, petitions related to cases processed through the local court must be filed with:
Woburn District Court
30 Pleasant Street
Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 935-4000
Upon successful expungement, all records pertaining to the arrest are permanently destroyed, and the incident is treated as if it never occurred. This includes removal from all public databases, court records, and law enforcement repositories. Under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100M, individuals whose records have been expunged may answer "no record" to any inquiry regarding the expunged offense, including on employment applications.
It should be noted that expungement differs from sealing records. When records are sealed under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100A, they remain in existence but are not accessible to the general public. Expungement, by contrast, results in the permanent destruction of the records.
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