> >Derby Arrest Records

Derby Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Derby, Connecticut?

Yes, arrest records are public in Derby, Connecticut. This accessibility is governed by Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq., which establishes that records maintained by government agencies are available to the public. Arrest records, as part of these public records, provide transparency and maintain public oversight of law enforcement and judicial processes. The Connecticut Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records, reinforcing the principle that open government operations are essential to democratic governance.

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210, public agencies must make records promptly available for inspection or copying during regular office hours. This statute specifically includes police departments and other law enforcement agencies, making arrest records accessible to interested parties. However, certain exemptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as outlined in § 1-210(b).

How to Look Up Derby Arrest Records in 2025

The retrieval of arrest records in Derby, Connecticut requires following established protocols designed to balance public access with privacy considerations. Members of the public seeking arrest information have several official channels through which these records may be obtained:

Visit the Derby Police Department located at 125 Water Street, Derby, CT 06418. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors must complete a formal records request form and may be required to present identification.
Submit requests to the Connecticut State Police through their Records Division, which maintains a centralized repository of arrest records pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 29-11. The State Police Headquarters is located at 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457.
Access public terminals available at the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District courthouse located at 14 West River Street, Milford, CT 06460. These terminals provide access to non-sealed court records related to arrests.
Utilize the Connecticut Judicial Branch website for online access to court case information, though detailed arrest reports may require in-person requests.
Submit written requests via certified mail to the Derby Police Department Records Division, including the full name of the subject, date of birth if known, and approximate date of the incident.

Requestors should note that pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying records, typically $0.50 per page for standard documents.

Contents of a Derby Arrest Record

Derby arrest records are standardized documents containing specific information as mandated by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of the charges filed
Case number and docket information for court proceedings
Identifying information of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Demographic information including date of birth, physical description, and last known address
Disposition information indicating the current status of the case
Bail or bond amount set, if applicable

It should be noted that pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Medical or psychological information
Names of sexual assault victims
Information regarding juveniles (governed by separate confidentiality provisions under § 46b-124)
Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information

Expungement of Arrest Records in Derby

The State of Connecticut provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are erased, destroyed, or sealed from state repositories, effectively removing them from public access.

Individuals seeking expungement in Derby must file a petition with the Superior Court that handled their case. The court evaluates petitions based on statutory criteria including:

The nature and severity of the original offense
The disposition of the case (dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal)
The time elapsed since arrest or conviction
The individual's subsequent criminal history
Public interest considerations

Connecticut law provides for automatic erasure of records in cases resulting in dismissals after 13 months (§ 54-142a(c)) or nolle prosequi after 13 months if not reopened (§ 54-142a(c)). For cases resulting in not guilty findings, records are erased upon expiration of the appeal period.

The Board of Pardons and Paroles, located at 55 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702, administers the pardon process for convicted offenses, which may result in expungement of records for eligible cases.

Individuals should be aware that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes, and certain offenses, particularly those of a violent or sexual nature, may be ineligible for expungement under Connecticut law.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Connecticut law imposes certain limitations on the disclosure and use of arrest records to protect individual privacy rights while maintaining public access. These restrictions are codified in various statutes and regulations:

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51i, employers are prohibited from requiring disclosure of erased criminal records during the hiring process. Additionally, employers may not discriminate against individuals solely based on arrest records that did not result in conviction.

The Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (§ 46a-60) further restricts employers from making pre-employment inquiries about arrest records that did not result in conviction unless a security clearance is required for the position.

Law enforcement agencies in Derby must comply with Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142m, which governs the dissemination of criminal history record information. This statute requires agencies to maintain security procedures to prevent unauthorized access to such records.

Juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124, which generally prohibits disclosure except to authorized parties or by court order.

The Derby Police Department and other agencies must adhere to the Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Security Policy when handling arrest records that contain federally protected information.

Using Derby Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records maintained by Derby law enforcement agencies serve as valuable resources for authorized background checks. These records may be utilized in accordance with state and federal regulations for various legitimate purposes:

Employment screening for positions involving public safety, childcare, healthcare, or financial responsibility is permitted with appropriate consent forms as required by Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51i.
Housing applications may include criminal background checks, though landlords must comply with fair housing laws and cannot implement blanket policies rejecting all applicants with arrest records.
Professional licensing boards, including those governing attorneys, healthcare providers, and financial professionals, routinely review arrest records as part of character and fitness evaluations.
Volunteer organizations working with vulnerable populations may conduct background checks pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-251 et seq.
Private individuals conducting personal due diligence may access public arrest records, though they are subject to the same usage restrictions as other entities.

Requestors seeking arrest records for background check purposes must submit proper identification and may be required to provide signed authorization from the subject of the inquiry. The Derby Police Department processes such requests in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 29-11 and departmental policies.