Grafton Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Grafton, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Grafton, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth. Under this law, arrest records maintained by the Grafton Police Department are considered public records and are subject to disclosure upon request. The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute, thereby promoting transparency in governmental operations and accountability to the citizenry.
Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests to the Records Access Officer at the Grafton Police Department or to the Town Clerk, who serves as the primary Records Access Officer for the municipality. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), public agencies must provide requested records within 10 business days of receipt of a request, unless an extension is warranted under specific circumstances outlined in the statute.
How to Look Up Grafton Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple avenues exist for obtaining arrest records in Grafton as of 2025. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Grafton have implemented systems to facilitate public access to these records in accordance with state law. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:
Submit a formal public records request to the Grafton Police Department located at 28 Providence Road, Grafton, MA 01519. Requests may be directed to the Chief of Police, who serves as the Records Access Officer for police-related matters.
Visit the Grafton Police Department in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) to complete a records request form. Staff will process requests in accordance with statutory timelines.
Access the Public Records Request Portal on the Town of Grafton's official website, which provides electronic submission capabilities for records requests.
Contact the Grafton Police Department by telephone at 508-839-5343 to inquire about the proper procedure for obtaining specific arrest records.
Submit a written request via postal mail addressed to:
Grafton Police Department
28 Providence Road
Grafton, MA 01519
Phone: 508-839-5343
Grafton Police Website
Pursuant to 950 CMR 32.00, the Records Access Officer may charge reasonable fees for copies of records, not to exceed $0.05 per page for black and white copies or the actual cost of reproduction for other formats. The first 4 hours of search time are provided at no cost for municipalities with populations over 20,000.
Contents of a Grafton Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Grafton Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and details of an arrest. These records are standardized in accordance with Massachusetts law enforcement protocols and generally include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative identifications
- Date of birth and demographic information of the arrested person
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying characteristics
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed narrative of the alleged criminal offense(s)
- Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section citations for alleged violations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
- Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions of release
- Case disposition information, if available
- Court docket numbers for associated criminal proceedings
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure in accordance with exemptions provided under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26). Such exemptions may include personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, information that could compromise ongoing investigations, or data protected by other privacy statutes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Grafton
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement of records maintained by the Grafton Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Grafton include:
- Cases resulting in no conviction (e.g., dismissals, not guilty findings)
- Cases involving offenses that have been decriminalized since the time of arrest
- Cases where the arrest or conviction resulted from fraud or error
- Cases involving juvenile offenders who meet statutory requirements
- Certain non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods have elapsed
The expungement process requires the submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation using the prescribed form. For arrests that occurred in Grafton, petitioners must file with the Worcester District Court, which has jurisdiction over Grafton matters. Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility under the applicable statutory provisions.
If expungement is granted, all records pertaining to the arrest are permanently destroyed, including those maintained by:
- Grafton Police Department
- Massachusetts State Police
- Massachusetts Probation Service
- Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
- All court records related to the case
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100M, following expungement, the individual may respond to inquiries regarding the expunged record as though it never occurred. The expungement order directs all agencies to permanently destroy records rather than merely sealing them from public view.
Individuals seeking expungement of Grafton arrest records may wish to consult with the Worcester District Court Clerk's Office or the Office of the Commissioner of Probation for guidance on the procedural requirements.
Worcester District Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-831-2000
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