Connecticut Arrest Records

Is Connecticut an Open Arrest Records State?

Connecticut is an open arrest records state pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 through § 1-242. This designation means that arrest records are classified as public records and are generally accessible to members of the public. The state legislature has determined that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by fostering accountability and maintaining public trust in governmental institutions.

Under Connecticut law, arrest records maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies are presumptively open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Connecticut Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that public access to arrest information is fundamental to a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to monitor the activities of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.

It should be noted that while Connecticut maintains an open records policy, certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions designed to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or public safety concerns as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b).

How to Look Up Connecticut Arrest Records in 2025

Connecticut residents and other interested parties seeking arrest records in 2025 have multiple avenues available through which they may obtain this information. The State of Connecticut maintains several official channels for accessing arrest records, each serving different needs and purposes.

The primary methods for obtaining Connecticut arrest records include:

Requesting records directly from the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI), which serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state.
Visiting local police departments or sheriff's offices in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred to request arrest logs or specific arrest records.
Accessing the Judicial Branch website to search for criminal cases that may have resulted from arrests.
Utilizing public access terminals available at courthouses throughout the state.
Submitting a formal Freedom of Information request to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 685-8480
State Police Bureau of Identification
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 29-11, the State Police Bureau of Identification is authorized to collect, organize, and disseminate criminal history record information, including arrest data, to authorized recipients. Requestors must complete the appropriate forms and pay the statutory fees established for record searches.

Contents of a Connecticut Arrest Record

Connecticut arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in arrest. The comprehensiveness of these records facilitates proper identification and tracking through the criminal justice system.

A standard Connecticut arrest record typically includes the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Biometric data including fingerprints and, in most cases, booking photographs (mugshots)
Detailed information regarding the arrest incident, including date, time, and location
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, with reference to specific Connecticut General Statutes allegedly violated
Assigned case or docket number for tracking purposes
Jurisdiction and court information where the case will be processed
Custody status information (released on bond, detained, etc.)
Arrest disposition information when available

The Connecticut State Police and local law enforcement agencies maintain these records in accordance with state record retention schedules established by the Connecticut State Library's Public Records Administrator pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 11-8a.

Understanding the Connecticut Open Records Act

The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), commonly referred to as the Connecticut Open Records Act, establishes the legal framework governing public access to governmental records, including arrest records. This legislation, codified in Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq., embodies the state's commitment to governmental transparency and public oversight.

The Act defines public records broadly to include "any recorded data or information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used, received or retained by a public agency." Under this definition, arrest records created and maintained by law enforcement agencies clearly qualify as public records subject to disclosure.

The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) serves as the administrative body responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Act. The FOIC is empowered to hear complaints, issue binding orders, and impose civil penalties for non-compliance with the Act's provisions.

Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission
165 Capitol Avenue, Suite 1100
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 566-5682
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

While the Act establishes a presumption of openness, it also recognizes certain legitimate exceptions where disclosure may be limited. With respect to arrest records, exemptions may apply to:

Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation
Records of juvenile arrests, which are subject to special confidentiality provisions under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124
Information that would constitute an invasion of personal privacy
Records where disclosure would pose a clear and present danger to public safety

Agencies denying access to records must cite the specific statutory exemption justifying non-disclosure, and the burden of proving the applicability of an exemption rests with the agency.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Connecticut

Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest records are erased, destroyed, or sealed from public view, effectively removing them from public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Connecticut include:

Cases resulting in dismissal of all charges
Cases where the accused was found not guilty after trial
Cases where charges were nolled (not prosecuted) and at least 13 months have elapsed
Certain first-time, non-violent offenses after completion of accelerated rehabilitation or other diversionary programs
Certain drug possession offenses after successful completion of the pretrial drug education program

The expungement process typically requires:

Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
Payment of applicable filing fees
Attendance at a hearing where a judge will determine if the statutory requirements for expungement have been met

Upon successful expungement, Connecticut law mandates that all records of the arrest be physically destroyed or, in the case of electronic records, deleted from accessible databases. Following expungement, the individual may legally state that they have never been arrested with respect to the expunged matter.

Superior Court Operations Division
90 Washington Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 263-2750
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

It should be noted that even after expungement, certain governmental agencies, particularly those involved in law enforcement and judicial functions, may retain limited access to expunged records for specific purposes as authorized by statute.

How to Find Local Arrests in Connecticut?

Members of the public seeking information about recent local arrests in Connecticut have several official channels through which such information may be obtained. Local arrest information serves important community interests, including public safety awareness and governmental accountability.

The following methods are available for accessing local arrest information:

Reviewing arrest logs maintained by municipal police departments, which are typically updated daily and available for public inspection during regular business hours pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210
Consulting the Connecticut Department of Correction inmate database for information about individuals who have been arrested and subsequently incarcerated
Attending arraignment proceedings at local courthouses, which are open to the public except in limited circumstances
Monitoring official social media accounts and websites maintained by local law enforcement agencies, where arrest information is often published
Reviewing local newspaper police blotters and crime reports, which typically compile information from official sources

Connecticut Department of Correction
24 Wolcott Hill Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone: (860) 692-7480
Connecticut Department of Correction
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Individuals seeking arrest information should be aware that while basic arrest data is public information, certain details may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations. Additionally, the timing of information release may vary by jurisdiction and the nature of the case.

Search Arrest Records in Connecticut

Counties

Fairfield Hartford Litchfield Middlesex New Haven New London Tolland