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New Britain Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in New Britain, Connecticut?

Yes, arrest records are public in New Britain, Connecticut. This accessibility is governed by the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq., which mandates the disclosure of records maintained by public agencies. Arrest records, as part of these provisions, are made available to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations. The New Britain Police Department maintains these records and must provide public access in accordance with state law, subject only to specific exemptions outlined in § 1-210 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified under Connecticut law. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission oversees compliance with these regulations and addresses disputes regarding access to public records.

How to Look Up New Britain Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain New Britain arrest records, several methods are available to the public pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212. These records can be accessed through both electronic and traditional means. The following options are available for searching arrest records in New Britain:

Online Public Access Systems: The New Britain Police Department Records Bureau provides digital access to certain arrest records through their official portal. Users may search by name, date of arrest, or case number.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the New Britain Police Department Records Bureau to request arrest records in person. Staff will assist with locating and providing copies of publicly available records.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the New Britain Police Department, specifying the details of the arrest record needed. All requests must include the subject's full name, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.
Police Blotter Access: The New Britain Police Blotter provides recent arrest information and is updated regularly in compliance with public disclosure requirements.

New Britain Police Department
10 Chestnut Street
New Britain, CT 06051
Phone: (860) 826-3000
Official Website

Hours of operation for the Records Bureau: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.

Contents of a New Britain Arrest Record

A New Britain arrest record typically contains comprehensive information as required under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records are maintained by the New Britain Police Department and the New Britain Judicial District offices. Standard arrest records include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Detailed account of the alleged offense and circumstances
Arresting agency and identification of the arresting officer(s)
Booking details, including photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint records
Formal charges filed by the prosecuting authority
Bail or bond conditions established, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available
Court docket number for tracking within the judicial system

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including information that might compromise ongoing investigations, victim identities in certain cases, or juvenile records protected under § 46b-124.

Expungement of Arrest Records in New Britain

In New Britain, individuals may petition for the erasure of their arrest records through a process called expungement, as provided under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a. Eligibility for expungement depends on several factors:

The nature and severity of the offense
The final disposition of the case (dismissal, not guilty verdict, nolle prosequi)
The elapsed time since the arrest or case conclusion
The individual's subsequent criminal history

To initiate an expungement proceeding, the petitioner must file the appropriate application with the Superior Court that handled the original case. The New Britain Superior Court reviews these petitions according to statutory guidelines.

New Britain Superior Court
20 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051
Phone: (860) 515-5180

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or erase the arrest record from public access and law enforcement databases. This process effectively removes the record from public view, though certain government agencies may retain limited access under specific circumstances as outlined in § 54-142c.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves specific legal requirements and timelines. The court may require a hearing before granting an expungement order, particularly in cases involving more serious offenses.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Connecticut law imposes certain restrictions on the disclosure of arrest records maintained by the New Britain Police Department. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b), specific categories of information are exempt from public disclosure, including:

Records of juvenile arrests, which are subject to confidentiality provisions under § 46b-124
Information that would compromise ongoing criminal investigations
Records related to uncorroborated allegations of criminal activity
Personal identifying information that would constitute an invasion of privacy
Records sealed by court order or statute

The City of New Britain and its agencies must balance the public's right to information with privacy protections established by state law. Individuals seeking access to arrest records may be required to demonstrate legitimate interest or legal authorization when requesting certain protected information.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records in New Britain may be utilized for background check purposes subject to restrictions imposed by Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51i and federal regulations. Employers, landlords, and other entities conducting background checks should be aware of the following guidelines:

Arrest records that did not result in conviction may have limited use in employment decisions
Records that have been expunged or erased are not legally available for background check purposes
Certain positions, particularly those involving vulnerable populations, may have expanded access to arrest history information
Background checks using arrest records must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act when conducted by third-party agencies

The New Britain Town Clerk's Office maintains certain public records that may complement arrest record information for comprehensive background verification purposes.

New Britain Town Clerk's Office
27 West Main Street
New Britain, CT 06051
Phone: (860) 826-3344