East Haven Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in East Haven, Connecticut?
Arrest records are public documents in East Haven, Connecticut, pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq. This legislation establishes that records maintained by public agencies, including the East Haven Police Department (EHPD), shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations, ensuring accountability of public officials, and upholding the constitutional right of citizens to be informed about governmental activities.
The Connecticut FOIA presumes that government records are open to public inspection. Section 1-210(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes specifically states that "except as otherwise provided by any federal law or state statute, all records maintained or kept on file by any public agency... shall be public records and every person shall have the right to (1) inspect such records promptly during regular office hours or (2) receive a copy of such records."
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b), such as information that would constitute an invasion of personal privacy or information related to ongoing investigations where disclosure could be prejudicial to such investigations.
How to Look Up East Haven Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in East Haven have several methods available to access this information. The East Haven Police Department maintains these records in compliance with Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210 and departmental policies established under the settlement agreement with the Department of Justice regarding police practices.
• East Haven Police Department: Individuals may submit a written request to the Records Division of the EHPD. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, such as the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest.
East Haven Police Department
471 North High Street
East Haven, CT 06512
(203) 468-3820
East Haven Police Department Official Website
• New Haven County Superior Court: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Clerk's Office at the courthouse.
New Haven County Superior Court
235 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 503-6800
Connecticut Judicial Branch Official Website
• Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request records from the state repository.
Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 685-8480
Connecticut State Police Official Website
• Online Resources: The East Haven Police Department maintains a weekly arrest log on their website that provides basic information about recent arrests, pursuant to the settlement agreement with the Department of Justice that requires enhanced transparency in departmental operations.
Requesters should note that fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the reproduction of public records.
Contents of an East Haven Arrest Record
East Haven arrest records contain standardized information as required by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:
• Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases • Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race) • Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks • Residential address at time of arrest • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest • Statutory charges filed, including Connecticut General Statutes citation numbers • Booking photographs ("mugshots") • Fingerprint records • Arresting officer's name and badge number • Incident report number • Custody status and bail information • Court appearance date
The East Haven Police Department maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats. Electronic records are stored in the department's records management system in accordance with data retention policies established under Connecticut General Statutes § 11-8a and the Public Records Administrator's records retention schedules.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement with the Department of Justice, the EHPD has implemented enhanced record-keeping practices to ensure comprehensive documentation of all law enforcement activities, including arrests, to facilitate oversight and accountability.
Expungement of Arrest Records in East Haven
Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a, which establishes automatic erasure of records in certain cases, and § 54-142d, which provides for petition-based erasure.
Records eligible for automatic erasure under § 54-142a include:
• Cases resulting in a not guilty finding or verdict • Cases dismissed by the court • Cases where nolle prosequi has been entered and 13 months have elapsed • Cases where the accused was pardoned
For records not subject to automatic erasure, individuals may petition the Superior Court for erasure under § 54-142d if:
• The arrest was made in error • The prosecution determined that the person arrested was actually innocent • The charges have been dismissed and the statute of limitations has expired
The petition process requires filing appropriate documentation with the New Haven County Superior Court. Upon granting of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all criminal justice agencies to physically destroy or obliterate all records pertaining to the arrest.
It should be noted that even when records are expunged from public access, certain criminal justice agencies may retain limited access to these records for specific purposes as permitted by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142k.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves legal complexities and may benefit from consultation with legal counsel familiar with Connecticut criminal record procedures.
Search Arrest Records in East Haven
