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Shelton Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Shelton, Connecticut?

Arrest records are public documents in Shelton, Connecticut, pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal jurisdictions. The Connecticut FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Shelton Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with state regulations and makes these records available to members of the public upon proper request. Certain information may be redacted from these records to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile privacy, or other statutorily protected information as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b).

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Enables community awareness of public safety matters
Facilitates accountability of public officials and agencies
Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public concern
Allows individuals to verify information that may affect their personal or professional interests

How to Look Up Shelton Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Shelton have several authorized methods to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining proper record management protocols:

In-Person Requests

The Shelton Police Department accepts in-person requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Requestors must complete a standard records request form and may be required to present identification.

Shelton Police Department
85 Wheeler Street
Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 924-1544
Shelton Police Department official website

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays

Online Access Options

The Shelton Police Department maintains an online portal where certain arrest information is published. This resource includes recent arrest logs and is updated on a regular basis in compliance with Connecticut General Statutes § 1-215, which requires disclosure of specific arrest information within 24 hours.

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division of the Shelton Police Department. All written requests must include:

Full name of the subject of the record
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Requestor's contact information
Notarized signature (for certain types of requests)

City Clerk's Office

The Shelton City Clerk's Office maintains certain public records that may include information related to arrests and court proceedings within the municipality.

Shelton City Clerk's Office
54 Hill Street
Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 924-1555 ext. 1503
Shelton City Clerk official website

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays

Contents of a Shelton Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Shelton Police Department typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Connecticut General Statutes § 1-215:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth
Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)

Arrest Details

Date and time of arrest
Location where the arrest occurred
Name of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest
Statutory authority under which the arrest was made

Offense Information

Criminal charges filed
Connecticut General Statutes citation for each offense
Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
Brief narrative of the alleged criminal activity
Presence of any weapons or contraband

Processing Information

Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint records
Property inventory
Bail or bond amount set
Court appearance date

Case Disposition

Court of jurisdiction
Case number
Judicial outcomes
Sentencing information (if applicable)
Probation or parole terms (if applicable)

It should be noted that pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a, records of arrests that did not lead to conviction or that resulted in dismissals may be subject to erasure provisions and may not appear in publicly accessible records after statutory time periods have elapsed.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Shelton, Connecticut law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to public access. These restrictions are codified in various sections of the Connecticut General Statutes and are enforced by records custodians:

Protected Categories

The following categories of arrest records are subject to restricted access:

Juvenile arrests (individuals under 18 years of age) pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124
Arrests for which charges were dismissed or nolled after the completion of a diversionary program as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 54-56e
Arrests related to family violence where protective orders are in effect
Records sealed by court order
Arrests involving victims of sexual assault or domestic violence where disclosure would compromise victim safety

Partial Redactions

Certain information within otherwise public arrest records may be redacted, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information that would reveal the identity of confidential informants
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations

The Shelton Police Department and other records custodians are required to review records prior to release to ensure compliance with these statutory protections.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Shelton

Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the expungement or erasure of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. This process removes eligible records from public access and, in some cases, from government databases entirely.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a, arrest records may be eligible for erasure under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in a not guilty finding or dismissal of all charges
Cases where prosecution was declined and 13 months have elapsed
Cases dismissed after successful completion of a diversionary program
Certain non-violent offenses after prescribed waiting periods

Application Process

Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Shelton must:

File a petition with the Superior Court where the case was adjudicated
Provide certified copies of the disposition of the case
Submit to any background checks required by the court
Attend a hearing if scheduled by the presiding judge

Connecticut Superior Court - Judicial District of Ansonia-Milford
14 West River Street
Milford, CT 06460
(203) 283-8260

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an arrest record is expunged pursuant to Connecticut law:

The record is physically destroyed or segregated from public records
The arrest is deemed never to have occurred
The individual may legally state they have never been arrested in relation to the expunged matter
Law enforcement agencies are prohibited from disclosing the existence of expunged records except under limited circumstances

Individuals with questions about the expungement process should consult with a licensed attorney familiar with Connecticut criminal record procedures or review the Shelton municipal code for local provisions that may affect record access.