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Danbury Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Danbury, Connecticut?

Yes, arrest records are public in Danbury, Connecticut. This accessibility is governed by the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. The Danbury Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation, and these records are generally available for public inspection. Pursuant to state law, these records serve the public interest by promoting transparency in law enforcement operations and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.

The Connecticut FOIA presumes that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. While certain sensitive information may be redacted from arrest records to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 1-210(b), the fundamental information regarding arrests remains accessible to members of the public, researchers, and media representatives.

How to Look Up Danbury Arrest Records in 2025

The Danbury Police Department maintains comprehensive arrest records that are accessible through multiple channels. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize any of the following methods to obtain these public records:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Records & Property Division of the Danbury Police Department, located at 375 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810. The division operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Online access is available through the Danbury Police Department's arrest logs portal, which is updated regularly with recent arrest information.
Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records & Property Division with specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest.
Connecticut State Police repository maintains a centralized database of arrest records from jurisdictions throughout the state, including Danbury. Requests can be submitted to the State Police Bureau of Identification at 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457.

Requestors should note that pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212, reasonable fees may be charged for copying or searching for records. The current fee schedule includes $0.50 per page for photocopies and additional charges for certified copies or extensive search requirements.

Contents of a Danbury Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Danbury Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information including age, gender, and race
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted in public versions)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including Connecticut General Statutes citation numbers
Case or docket number assigned by the court
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs ("mugshots") and fingerprint information
Custody status and bail information
Preliminary court appearance date

The comprehensiveness of information available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under Connecticut FOIA § 1-210(b). Records related to juvenile arrests or cases involving certain sensitive matters may have additional restrictions on public access in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Danbury

Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a, records of arrests that did not lead to convictions may be eligible for erasure. The expungement process effectively removes the arrest information from public access and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Danbury include:

Cases resulting in dismissal of all charges
Cases resulting in a not guilty finding or verdict
Cases where prosecution was declined or terminated
Arrests for which no charges were filed within the statutory time limit

The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Superior Court of Connecticut, Judicial District of Danbury, located at 146 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810. The petition must include:

Complete identifying information of the petitioner
Case docket number and arrest date
Charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Documentation supporting the eligibility for expungement

Upon court approval, an order of erasure is issued directing all agencies, including the Danbury Police Department, to physically destroy or permanently obliterate all records pertaining to the arrest. Pursuant to § 54-142a(e), agencies must comply with such orders within 90 days of receipt.

For arrests resulting in convictions, Connecticut's "Clean Slate" legislation (Public Act 21-32) provides for the automatic erasure of certain criminal records after specified waiting periods, ranging from 7 to 10 years depending on the severity of the offense, provided there are no subsequent convictions.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Danbury are generally public, certain statutory exemptions limit access to specific information. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act § 1-210(b) establishes several categories of protected information that may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

Information that would compromise ongoing investigations or prosecutions
Names and identifying information of sexual assault victims pursuant to § 54-86e
Information related to juvenile arrests as protected by § 46b-124
Medical and mental health information of arrested individuals
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth

Law enforcement agencies in Danbury may withhold or redact such information when responding to public records requests. Additionally, Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142c prohibits the disclosure of erased criminal records, and individuals or agencies that knowingly disclose such information may face penalties.

Employers, housing providers, and licensing authorities in Connecticut are subject to restrictions regarding the use of arrest records under the state's "Ban the Box" legislation (Public Act 16-83). This law prohibits employers from inquiring about arrests that did not lead to convictions during initial employment applications, though such information may be considered later in the hiring process.

Accessing Danbury Arrest Records for Background Checks

Members of the public seeking arrest records for background check purposes must follow established procedures that balance the public's right to information with privacy protections. The Danbury Police Department processes background check requests through its Records & Property Division.

For official background checks, the following procedures apply:

Requestors must submit a signed authorization from the subject of the background check
Proper identification must be presented when requesting records in person
Fingerprint-based background checks require an appointment with the Danbury Police Department's fingerprinting service
Fees for background checks are established by Connecticut General Statutes § 29-11 and currently stand at $75 for state background checks and $13.25 for fingerprinting services

Employers and landlords should be aware that Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51i and § 46a-80 place limitations on how arrest record information can be used in employment and housing decisions. These statutes prohibit discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction and require consideration of rehabilitation evidence for those with conviction records.