Watertown Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Watertown, Connecticut?
Arrest records in Watertown, Connecticut are public documents accessible to all citizens. Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 through § 1-259, establishes the legal framework for public access to these records. The statute specifically mandates that records maintained by law enforcement agencies, including arrest logs and reports, shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours. This transparency requirement serves multiple public interests, including government accountability, public safety awareness, and informed civic participation.
The Watertown Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest information should note that while most information is publicly available, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile privacy rights pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124, or victim information in sensitive cases as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 54-86e.
Public access to arrest records is subject to reasonable fees for copying services as permitted under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212. The current fee structure allows agencies to charge up to $0.50 per page for standard document reproduction.
How to Look Up Watertown Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Watertown, Connecticut. Individuals seeking this information may utilize any of the following methods:
- Watertown Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. The Records Division processes requests during regular business hours and requires proper identification.
Watertown Police Department
195 French Street
Watertown, CT 06795
(860) 945-5200
Watertown Police Department
- Waterbury Judicial District Superior Court: As the judicial district serving Watertown, court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained at this location. The Clerk's Office provides access to case information following proper protocols.
Waterbury Judicial District Superior Court
400 Grand Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
(203) 591-3300
Connecticut Judicial Branch
- Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification: For comprehensive criminal history information, the state maintains a centralized repository accessible through formal request procedures.
Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 685-8480
Connecticut State Police
Online Portal Access: The Connecticut Judicial Branch maintains an online case lookup system for public court records. Users may search by name or case number to locate information about arrests that have proceeded to court action.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212, citizens may submit written requests for arrest records. These requests must reasonably describe the records sought and include appropriate contact information for response.
Contents of a Watertown Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Watertown Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records typically include:
- Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, address, and physical description
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including Connecticut General Statutes citation numbers
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Incident report number for cross-reference purposes
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Miranda rights acknowledgment documentation
- Preliminary hearing date assignment
- Bail or bond information, including amount and conditions
- Detention facility assignment if applicable
Certain supplementary information may be included depending on case specifics, such as vehicle information in DUI cases or weapon descriptions in applicable incidents. The Connecticut Uniform Arrest Report format standardizes this information across all law enforcement agencies in the state.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Watertown
Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a through § 54-142e, which establish eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals seeking expungement in Watertown must file a petition with the Waterbury Judicial District Superior Court. Eligibility for expungement generally applies in the following circumstances:
- 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 non-violent misdemeanor convictions after waiting periods ranging from 3-5 years
- First-time drug possession offenses successfully completed under the state's pretrial drug education program pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-56e
The expungement petition process requires:
- Completion of JD-CR-136 form (Application for Erasure of Criminal Record)
- Payment of filing fees (currently $75, with fee waiver options available for indigent applicants)
- Submission of certified court disposition documents
- Verification of completion of all sentence requirements
- Criminal history verification from the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification
Upon court approval, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining the relevant records, including the Watertown Police Department, the State Police Bureau of Identification, and the court system. These agencies must then physically or electronically seal the records from public view in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142c.
Expunged records remain accessible only to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances as specified in Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142k. For employment purposes, individuals with expunged records may legally state they have not been arrested in relation to the expunged matter.
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