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).
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
The expungement process typically requires:
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.
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:
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.