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Wrentham Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wrentham, Massachusetts?

Arrest records are public documents in Wrentham, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that government-generated records, including arrest documentation, shall be accessible to members of the public with limited exceptions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this transparency to ensure accountability within the criminal justice system and to promote public safety through information accessibility.

The Wrentham Police Department, as a public agency, is required to maintain and, upon request, provide access to arrest records in accordance with state regulations. These records serve multiple public interest functions, including:

  • Enabling community awareness of law enforcement activities
  • Supporting journalistic reporting on criminal incidents
  • Facilitating background checks for employment or housing purposes
  • Providing statistical data for policy development and resource allocation

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted in compliance with exemptions outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), such as information that might compromise ongoing investigations or infringe upon protected privacy interests.

How to Look Up Wrentham Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Wrentham have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The Wrentham Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several access options:

  1. In-person requests may be submitted at the Records Division of the Wrentham Police Department:

    Wrentham Police Department
    89 South Street
    Wrentham, MA 02093
    (508) 384-2121
    Official Website
    Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

  2. Written requests may be submitted via mail to the address above or electronically to records@police.wrentham.ma.us, in accordance with the Town of Wrentham Public Records Access Guidelines.

  3. Online access to certain arrest information may be available through the Wrentham Police Department's records portal, accessible via the department's section on the official Wrentham municipal website.

  4. The Public Records Request process can be initiated through the town's designated Records Access Officers.

Pursuant to Massachusetts law, the Records Access Officer must respond to requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply for document reproduction, as authorized under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(d), with standard rates of $0.05 per page for black and white copies and additional charges for specialized document preparation.

Contents of a Wrentham Arrest Record

Wrentham arrest records typically contain standardized information as mandated by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and generally include the following elements:

  • Subject identification information:

    • Full legal name and any known aliases
    • Date of birth
    • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
    • Residential address (may be redacted in public versions)
    • Booking photograph ("mugshot")
    • Fingerprint classification data
  • Arrest circumstance details:

    • Date, time, and precise location of apprehension
    • Statutory violations alleged (Massachusetts General Laws citations)
    • Narrative description of incident
    • Property seized as evidence
    • Witness information (may be redacted in public versions)
  • Procedural documentation:

    • Arresting officer(s) identification
    • Booking officer information
    • Miranda rights acknowledgment
    • Initial appearance court date
    • Bail determination
    • Detention facility assignment

The comprehensiveness of publicly available arrest record information may vary based on case status, investigative concerns, and applicable privacy protections under Massachusetts law. Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality provisions under M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wrentham

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances, as codified in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U. Expungement permanently destroys records so that they no longer exist and are no longer accessible by the courts or any other state or municipal agencies.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of Wrentham arrest records include:

  • Cases resulting in no conviction (dismissal, not guilty finding, nolle prosequi)
  • Arrests based on mistaken identity or false identification
  • Offenses that have been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest date
  • Cases meeting time-based eligibility requirements (generally 7 years for misdemeanors, 10 years for felonies)
  • Juvenile records meeting statutory criteria

The expungement petition process requires:

  1. Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Norfolk County Superior Court or Wrentham District Court, depending on case jurisdiction
  2. Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
  3. Notification to the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office
  4. Judicial review and determination

Norfolk County Superior Court
650 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
(781) 326-1600

Wrentham District Court
60 East Street
Wrentham, MA 02093
(508) 384-3106

Certain serious offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including sex offenses requiring registration, offenses against elderly persons, and firearms violations resulting in injury. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) maintains oversight of criminal record information and implements expungement orders when granted by the court.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Wrentham are generally public, Massachusetts law establishes important limitations on their accessibility and use. The Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system, governed by M.G.L. c. 6, § 167-178, regulates the dissemination of criminal history information.

Key restrictions include:

  • Employers are prohibited from inquiring about arrests that did not result in conviction on initial job applications under the "Ban the Box" provisions (M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(9½))
  • Housing providers face limitations on using arrest records without conviction as sole basis for denial
  • Commercial dissemination of arrest records requires certification by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
  • Records pertaining to sealed cases (pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A) are not publicly accessible
  • Juvenile arrest records maintain heightened confidentiality protections

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties, including fines up to $5,000 for each violation and potential liability under anti-discrimination statutes.

Wrentham Arrest Records and Public Safety

The Wrentham Police Department utilizes arrest record data as an essential component of community safety initiatives. These records contribute to:

  • Crime pattern analysis and resource deployment
  • Recidivism reduction programs
  • Transparent communication with community stakeholders
  • Accountability in law enforcement operations

The Wrentham Police Department publishes periodic statistical reports derived from arrest data to inform the public about crime trends and departmental activities. These reports, available through the department's website, provide aggregated data while maintaining individual privacy protections.

Community members seeking information about specific incidents or patterns of criminal activity may consult these reports or submit targeted public records requests through established channels. The department's commitment to transparency is balanced with privacy considerations and investigative integrity requirements.

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