Dudley Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dudley, Massachusetts?
Arrest records in Dudley, Massachusetts are considered public documents under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This legislation establishes the right of citizens to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates on the principle that governmental transparency and accountability are essential to a functioning democracy, thereby allowing members of the public to inspect, copy, or request arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies.
The Dudley Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), the fundamental arrest information remains accessible to the public. Requesters should note that access to juvenile records is restricted under Massachusetts law, with such records being subject to different confidentiality standards as established in M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A.
How to Look Up Dudley Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Dudley, Massachusetts. The Dudley Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several options for record retrieval:
- In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Dudley Police Department to submit requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Staff will assist with completing the necessary request forms.
Dudley Police Department
71 West Main Street
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone: (508) 943-4411
Dudley Police Department website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Dudley Police Department Records Division. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and specific information being sought. A self-addressed stamped envelope and applicable fees should accompany the request.
Court Records Access: Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through the Dudley District Court's public access terminals.
Dudley District Court
279 West Main Street
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone: (508) 949-3822
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI): For comprehensive criminal history information, requesters may submit applications through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS).
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Phone: (617) 660-4600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 172, requesters must submit proper identification and pay applicable fees when requesting CORI information. Processing times vary based on the method of request and current departmental workload.
Contents of a Dudley Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Dudley Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and any documented aliases or known nicknames.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred, including street address or intersection.
Offense Information: Nature and classification of the alleged criminal offense(s), including applicable Massachusetts General Laws citations and whether the charges are misdemeanors or felonies.
Arresting Officer Information: Name and badge number of the primary arresting officer and any assisting officers present during the arrest.
Booking Documentation: Fingerprint records, booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots"), and processing information.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, release conditions, or continued detention.
Case Disposition: If available, information regarding the resolution of charges, including dismissals, plea agreements, or trial outcomes.
Incident Narrative: A factual account of the circumstances leading to the arrest as documented by law enforcement personnel.
It should be noted that pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 167-178B, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, information related to sexual assault victims, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dudley
Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U. The Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 expanded expungement eligibility in the Commonwealth, allowing certain individuals to petition for the permanent erasure of arrest and conviction records.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Dudley include:
- Cases resulting from mistaken identity or unauthorized use of personal identifying information
- Offenses that have been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest (such as certain marijuana possession offenses)
- Juvenile records for individuals who meet specific age and time requirements
- Cases where the arrest did not result in a conviction or where the conviction was subsequently vacated
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition for expungement with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the offense was adjudicated
- Provide documentation supporting eligibility for expungement
- Attend any scheduled hearings regarding the petition
- Demonstrate that expungement serves justice and public safety
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-5300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100K, if expungement is granted, all records pertaining to the arrest, including court records, police reports, and booking information, shall be permanently destroyed. Following expungement, individuals may legally respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain law enforcement and judicial purposes.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal considerations. The standard for expungement is stringent, requiring clear and convincing evidence that the continued existence of the record would result in substantial harm to the petitioner's ability to secure housing, employment, or other necessities.
Search Arrest Records in Dudley
How to Obtain Certified Copies of Arrest Records
The Dudley Police Department provides certified copies of arrest records for official purposes such as court proceedings, immigration matters, or employment requirements. To obtain certified copies, requesters must:
- Submit a written request specifying the need for certification
- Provide proper identification, including government-issued photo ID
- Pay the applicable certification fee as established by departmental policy
Certified copies bear the official seal of the Dudley Police Department and a signature from an authorized records custodian. These documents are typically processed within 10 business days of receipt of a complete request. Expedited processing may be available for court-ordered requests or other time-sensitive matters at the discretion of the Records Division supervisor.
Pursuant to Massachusetts regulations, certified copies of arrest records must be clearly marked with the date of certification and contain a statement regarding their authenticity. These documents are accepted as official records for legal proceedings throughout the Commonwealth.
Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access
While arrest records are generally public in Massachusetts, several statutory exemptions limit access to certain information. The following restrictions apply to arrest records in Dudley:
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 60A, records pertaining to juvenile arrests (under age 18) are not publicly accessible except by court order.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A-100C are removed from public access.
Domestic Violence Information: Certain identifying information regarding victims of domestic violence may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with M.G.L. c. 41, § 97D.
Ongoing Investigations: Information that could compromise active investigations may be temporarily withheld under exemptions to the Public Records Law.
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth may be redacted from public copies of arrest records.
Law enforcement agencies and courts retain access to complete arrest records even when public access is restricted. These restrictions serve to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system.
