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Braintree Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Braintree, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public in Braintree, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that government-generated records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the public to ensure transparency in governmental operations. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to uphold citizens' right to information and to facilitate public oversight of law enforcement activities. Certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety, as outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26).

The Braintree Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while the records are public, specific procedures must be followed to obtain them, and certain information may be redacted in compliance with privacy laws.

How to Look Up Braintree Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for accessing arrest records in Braintree as of 2025. The Town of Braintree has established several channels through which interested parties may request and obtain these public documents:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Braintree Police Department Records Division to submit a request for arrest records. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees may be charged for document reproduction.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records via postal mail. Requests should include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers if available.
Online Portal Access: The Town of Braintree maintains a public records request portal through which citizens may submit requests electronically. This system allows for efficient processing and tracking of requests.
Third-Party Services: Various authorized third-party providers offer access to Braintree arrest records. These services may charge additional fees but often provide expedited processing.

Requests for arrest records must comply with the provisions set forth in the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be subject to review by the Records Access Officer prior to release.

Braintree Police Department
1 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive
Braintree, MA 02184
Phone: (781) 843-1212
Official Website

Contents of a Braintree Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Braintree Police Department contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and details of an arrest. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, address, and other identifying information.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest, as well as the specific circumstances leading to the apprehension.
Criminal Charges: Detailed description of the alleged offenses, including applicable Massachusetts General Laws citations and charge classifications.
Arresting Officer Information: Identification of the law enforcement personnel involved in the arrest and their badge numbers.
Booking Documentation: Processing information, including time of booking, property inventory, and initial appearance details.
Photographic Evidence: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process, showing front and profile views of the arrested individual.
Biometric Data: Fingerprint records and other identifying biometric information collected during processing.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, detention status, or release conditions.

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 167-178B (Criminal Offender Record Information law), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records to protect privacy rights while maintaining the public's right to access government records.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The accessibility of arrest records in Braintree is governed by a comprehensive legal framework established at both state and local levels. This framework balances the public's right to information with privacy considerations and law enforcement needs:

Massachusetts Public Records Law: Codified in M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, this statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, are public unless specifically exempted. The law mandates that records custodians must respond to requests within 10 business days.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Act: M.G.L. c. 6, § 167-178B regulates the dissemination of criminal history information. While arrest records are generally public, CORI regulations may limit access to certain information based on the requestor's status and purpose.
Braintree Municipal Code: Local ordinances supplement state law regarding the maintenance and accessibility of police records. These provisions establish procedures specific to Braintree for requesting and obtaining arrest information.
Federal Regulations: The Privacy Act of 1974 and other federal statutes may impact the disclosure of certain information contained in arrest records, particularly when federal agencies are involved in investigations.

The Braintree Town Hall maintains current information regarding applicable regulations and procedures for public records access. Records custodians are required to apply these legal standards when processing requests for arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Braintree

Massachusetts law provides mechanisms through which individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process in Braintree adheres to the provisions outlined in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U:

Eligibility Criteria: Petitioners must meet statutory requirements for expungement, which generally include considerations of the nature of the offense, time elapsed since arrest, subsequent criminal history, and specific statutory grounds for expungement.
Petition Process: Eligible individuals must file a petition with the court that handled their case. The petition must include all required documentation and evidence supporting the request for expungement.
Judicial Review: Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court conducts a comprehensive review to determine whether expungement serves the interests of justice. The District Attorney's Office may provide input during this process.
Effect of Expungement: When granted, expungement results in the permanent deletion of arrest records from public and governmental databases. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100T, expunged records are treated as if they never existed, and individuals may legally deny the occurrence of the arrest.

The Norfolk County District Court, which has jurisdiction over Braintree cases, processes expungement petitions according to established procedures. Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding their specific circumstances.

Norfolk County District Court
631 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Phone: (781) 329-1500

Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Records

While arrest records in Braintree are generally public, Massachusetts law establishes important exceptions and limitations to protect privacy interests and other compelling public concerns:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A, arrest records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 18) are subject to heightened confidentiality protections. These records are not publicly accessible without a court order.
Sealed Records: Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A-100C, certain arrest records may be sealed after prescribed waiting periods. Sealed records are removed from public access but remain available to law enforcement agencies.
Ongoing Investigations: Records related to active criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under exemptions to the Public Records Law, as provided in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(f).
Privacy Protections: Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted from arrest records prior to public disclosure, including medical information, social security numbers, and certain victim information.
Domestic Violence Cases: Special confidentiality provisions apply to certain domestic violence-related records under M.G.L. c. 209A to protect victims' safety and privacy.

The Braintree Police Department applies these statutory restrictions when processing requests for arrest records. Determinations regarding access restrictions are made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

Fees and Processing Times for Arrest Record Requests

The Town of Braintree has established a fee schedule for arrest record requests in accordance with M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(d), which permits reasonable charges for document reproduction and search time:

Standard Copy Fees: $0.05 per page for black and white photocopies or printouts of paper public records.
Search and Segregation Fees: For requests requiring more than 2 hours of staff time, fees may be assessed at the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee capable of performing the task, not to exceed $25 per hour.
Electronic Records: When records are available in electronic format, they may be provided without charge or at reduced cost.
Fee Waivers: Fee waivers may be granted when disclosure would primarily benefit the public rather than a private interest, as determined by the Records Access Officer.

Processing times for arrest record requests typically range from 10 business days for standard requests to 15-25 business days for complex requests requiring extensive redaction or review. The Public Records Request portal provides current information regarding fees and estimated processing times.