Northbridge Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Northbridge, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Northbridge, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that government-generated information, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the public with limited exceptions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this policy to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and to uphold the public's right to information regarding criminal justice proceedings.
Individuals seeking arrest records may encounter certain restrictions related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety. However, the presumption under Massachusetts law favors disclosure rather than withholding of such information. The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, which oversees public records compliance, affirms that arrest logs and related documentation constitute public records that agencies must produce upon proper request.
How to Look Up Northbridge Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Northbridge, Massachusetts. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record retrieval and may be required to pay reasonable fees for document reproduction as permitted under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(a).
The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records:
- In-Person Requests at the Northbridge Police Department: Individuals may visit the Northbridge Police Department during regular business hours to submit a records request. Staff will require proper identification and may ask requestors to complete a standardized form detailing the specific records sought.
Northbridge Police Department
1 Hope Street
Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-6211
Northbridge Police Department
- Worcester County District Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the district court serving Northbridge.
Worcester County District Court - Uxbridge Division
261 South Main Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569
(508) 278-6910
Massachusetts Trial Court
Written Requests: Pursuant to the Public Records Law, citizens may submit written requests to the Records Access Officer at the Northbridge Police Department. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and provide sufficient detail to allow identification of the specific documents.
Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) System: For official criminal history information, individuals may submit requests through the state's CORI system, administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Massachusetts CORI Services
Contents of a Northbridge Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Northbridge law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of interactions between individuals and law enforcement resulting in arrest.
Standard information contained in Northbridge arrest records includes:
- Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, address, and identifying characteristics
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information, including processing location and assigned identification numbers
- Custody status and bail determination, if applicable
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance court date and location
- Photographic image (mugshot) taken during booking procedures
- Fingerprint records collected during processing
Pursuant to Massachusetts law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, information regarding victims of sexual assault, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations as specified in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 26.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Northbridge
Massachusetts law provides mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 expanded expungement eligibility, particularly for offenses committed before age 21 and for cases involving mistaken identity or dismissed charges.
Expungement in Massachusetts is governed by M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, which establishes the following provisions:
- Expungement permanently destroys records rather than merely sealing them from public view
- Petitioners must file applications with the Commissioner of Probation using prescribed forms
- Waiting periods apply: generally 7 years for misdemeanors and 10 years for felonies after completion of sentence
- Certain offenses are categorically ineligible for expungement, including firearms violations, sexual offenses, and offenses resulting in serious bodily injury
- Individuals may petition for expungement of records resulting from identity fraud or demonstrable errors by law enforcement agencies without waiting periods
- The court must find that expungement serves "the best interests of justice" after considering factors including the petitioner's age at time of offense and subsequent rehabilitation
Petitioners seeking expungement of Northbridge arrest records must file applications with:
Worcester County District Court - Uxbridge Division
261 South Main Street
Uxbridge, MA 01569
(508) 278-6910
The Commissioner of Probation reviews all petitions and forwards qualifying applications to the appropriate court for judicial determination. Petitioners may be required to attend hearings where prosecutors have the opportunity to object to expungement requests.
Successful expungement results in the physical destruction of arrest records and the removal of all digital entries from law enforcement databases. Following expungement, individuals may legally respond to inquiries as though the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain government employment applications.
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