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New Haven County, Connecticut Arrest Records

In New Haven County, arrest records refer to documents created after an offender is arrested and booked. Such documents reveal an arrestee's personal data, charges, arrest date, mugshot, and booking number.

New Haven County arrest records are under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement agencies, such as the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. These agencies create and maintain arrest information as incident or arrest reports. Furthermore, they may disclose the record to interested parties in line with state laws.

The Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-210 et seq. and Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142k are state laws that determine how records are created, maintained, and released to the public. The latter law specifically determines access to criminal history documents generated within the state.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in New Haven, Connecticut?

Most arrest information in New Haven County is classified as public records. Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, the public may inspect and request arrest documents held by specific agencies. The agencies are legally designated as record custodians and may provide resources by which the public may access records. These resources may include online searchable portals, online request forms, in-person, or mail-in requests.

Interested parties may obtain New Haven County arrest records by submitting relevant identifying details, such as the arrestee's name and booking date. There is no law that restricts out-of-state residents or non-residents from accessing arrest records in the county.

Connecticut laws may prevent public access to sensitive or confidential information. Government agencies may only disclose such records to legally eligible parties, like the record subject and government officials. These parties are required to provide valid IDs when requesting such information.

What Do Public New Haven County Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in New Haven County may include these details:

  • The arrestee's name and physical description.
  • Booking information, including the mugshot, date, and number.
  • Arrest charge and description of the alleged offense.
  • Bond or bail information.
  • Name of the arresting agency.

Note that public arrest records exclude information that is statutorily exempt from public access. The state laws generally exempt records whose disclosure violates the rights of concerned parties. Non-public arrest records in New Haven County may include the following:

  • Arrest information that is sealed or expunged by court order.
  • Information that may interfere with an active investigation.
  • Materials that may expose the personal details of crime victims and informants.
  • Arrest information regarding juvenile offenders.

New Haven County, Connecticut Arrest Search

Record seekers may search and find New Haven arrest records in online databases maintained by state or federal agencies. At the state level, the Connecticut Department of Corrections maintains a search portal for inmates serving sentences in state prisons. The database may reveal arrest details, such as the arrest charges, mugshot, arrest date, arresting agency, and bond amount. Record seekers may view relevant data on the platform by entering the inmate's full name, CT DOC number, and birthdate.

The Connecticut Judicial Branch is another state-level agency that provides information on arrests conducted in New Haven County. To look up records on the platform, record seekers must provide the case party name, type, or docket number. The platform reveals arrest information that was filed or generated during case proceedings.

Record seekers may also find arrest data in the Inmate Locator, an online search database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The platform allows name- or ID-based searches for arrest records of inmates in federal prisons.

Alternatively, record seekers may look up arrest information in criminal history files. The Connecticut State Police, via the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, allows fingerprint-based requests for criminal history records. Record seekers may use these general steps to obtain the records:

  1. Schedule a fingerprint appointment.
  2. Perform the fingerprint pre-enrollment procedure.
  3. Provide a valid government-issued ID.
  4. Attach the $15 fingerprint fee and the $75 for a criminal history check.
  5. Submit the documents and fees to the State Police Criminal Record Unit at this address:

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

State Police Bureau of Identification

1111 Country Club Road

Middletown, CT 06457

Phone: (860) 685-8480

New Haven County Inmate Locator

The Connecticut Department of Corrections oversees the records of inmates serving time in the county jail. Record seekers may view relevant details on the platform by entering the inmate name or ID number. Note that the platform may disclose arrest information, such as the arrest charges, arrest date, and booking number.

Alternatively, record seekers may inquire about inmates by contacting the agency that made the arrest. For arrests made at the New Haven Police Department, record seekers must submit an in-person request to the agency at this address:

1 Union Avenue

New Haven, CT 06519

Phone (203) 946-6316

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in New Haven County

In New Haven County, record seekers may freely search and obtain arrest records by using resources provided by government entities. The Connecticut Department of Corrections maintains a free search portal for inmates serving time in state prisons. The platform may reveal arrest details, including the inmate's mugshot, arrest charges, booking date, and bond amount. To obtain records on the platform, record seekers must enter the inmate's name or CT DOC number.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons also offers a free search portal for finding arrest records. Record seekers must enter either the inmate's name or prison ID number to view arrest information on the platform. Note that the portal only reveals arrest details of persons serving time for federal crimes.

Court record databases are an alternative option for finding free arrest information filed in case proceedings. Record seekers must enter the case party name, type, or docket number to obtain relevant data.

Besides using online search tools, interested parties may freely view arrest records at the arresting agency. Record seekers must first contact the agency to determine if they provide such options. Arresting agencies may allow in-person viewing of records during official business hours.

Note: Online search tools have limited functions, as they often exclude information on older arrests and confidential data. Requesters may obtain such information by making a request at the arresting agency. The agency may disclose confidential arrest records after receiving a valid ID that supports the requester's right to the document.

New Haven County Arrest Report

New Haven County arrest reports provide detailed descriptions of arrest events. Arrest officers create such documents in the aftermath of an arrest. A typical arrest report may reveal these details:

  • The arresting officer's name and badge number.
  • Warrant or report number.
  • Probable cause for the arrest.
  • Evidence recovered at the arrest location or crime scene.
  • Statement taken from victims or witnesses.
  • The arrestee's conduct during the arrest.

Arrest reports are mostly obtainable at the agency that made the arrest. The local courts and the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles may also maintain arrest reports filed during related cases or hearings. These entities may restrict public access to confidential information in arrest reports.

In contrast, arrest records are a summarized version of arrest reports and may reveal post-arrest details. Record seekers may find such records in the custody of criminal justice agencies. These entities may allow online or offline requests for arrest information in their custody.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in New Haven County

Concerned parties may get arrest records expunged via these pathways:

  • Get an automatic record sealing via the Connecticut Clean Slate Law. Concerned parties are eligible for automatic sealing if:
    • The case was acquitted.
    • The arrest charges were dismissed.
    • The arrestee received a pardon.
  • File a petition with the court that heard the case. Concerned parties may file for record erasure by using these steps:
  1. Meet the legal requirements. They are eligible for erasure under these conditions:
    1. The court conviction occurred on or after January 1, 2000.
    2. The prosecutor dropped the case, and it has been 13 months since the incident.
    3. The waiting period for the offense has elapsed. Concerned parties must wait 10 years post conviction for class D, E, and unclassified felonies.
    4. They have completed all court-mandated conditions and sentences for the offense.
  2. File the JD-CR-202 form with the court that handled the case.

After receiving the petition, the court may set a hearing to hear submissions and objections from concerned parties. The court issues an order to seal after approving the petition.

How Do You Remove New Haven County Arrest Records From the Internet?

There are two pathways for removing arrest records from the internet. The first option is to qualify for automatic expungement under the Connecticut Clean Slate Law. Eligible parties must submit a request to the Connecticut State Police to determine if the record has been automatically erased. If the record is erased, they may obtain a notification from the state police. The notification is later sent to relevant criminal justice agencies and third-party websites.

The second option is to obtain an order to seal from the court that heard the case. This option only applies to arrests that led to court conviction. Concerned parties may also forward the court order to relevant agencies and third-party platforms that hold the records on their database.