Arrest records are public in Milford, Connecticut, pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that records maintained by public agencies are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Connecticut FOIA mandates that government agencies, including law enforcement departments, make their records available for public inspection to promote transparency and accountability in governmental operations.
The Milford Police Department maintains arrest records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records become public documents once they are filed with the court clerk's office or entered into the department's record management system. Members of the public may access these records to verify the actions of law enforcement agencies, conduct background checks, or for research purposes.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving:
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Milford, Connecticut. Individuals seeking such information should consider the following methods:
In-Person Requests at the Milford Police Department: Citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records by visiting the Records Division of the Milford Police Department located at 430 Boston Post Road, Milford, CT 06460. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A valid government-issued photo identification must be presented, and applicable fees may apply in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212.
Connecticut Judicial Branch Website: The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch maintains an online database of criminal cases that includes information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This resource is accessible through the Ansonia-Milford Public Information - Criminal Case Lookup portal.
State Police Bureau of Identification: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification at 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457. Phone: (860) 685-8480. The bureau maintains fingerprint-based criminal history records for the entire state.
Freedom of Information Request: Written FOIA requests may be submitted to the Milford Police Department's Records Division. Requests must specify the information sought with reasonable particularity as required by Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(a).
Standard arrest records maintained by the Milford Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records typically include:
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under Connecticut FOIA laws.
The management and disclosure of arrest records in Milford operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by state statutes and regulations. Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a through § 54-142e govern the retention, disclosure, and erasure of criminal records.
Law enforcement agencies in Milford must adhere to the following legal requirements:
The Milford Police Department, as the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Milford, operates under the authority of the Milford Police Department and must balance the public's right to information with privacy protections established by law.
Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the erasure of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a, records of arrests that did not result in convictions may be eligible for automatic erasure after specified time periods:
For convictions, Connecticut's Clean Slate Law (Public Act No. 21-32) provides for the automatic erasure of certain criminal records after specified waiting periods:
Individuals seeking expungement outside of these automatic provisions must petition the Superior Court in the Ansonia-Milford Judicial District, located at 14 West River Street, Milford, CT 06460. Phone: (203) 877-4293.
The expungement process requires the submission of specific forms and may necessitate a court hearing. If granted, expungement results in the physical destruction or electronic deletion of arrest records from both public and law enforcement databases, effectively restoring the individual's record to its pre-arrest status.
Connecticut law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be used, particularly in employment contexts. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 31-51i and § 46a-80, employers are prohibited from:
Additionally, Connecticut's "Ban the Box" legislation (Public Act No. 16-83) prohibits employers from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history on initial employment applications, with limited exceptions for positions where specific background check requirements are mandated by law.
The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, located at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103, Phone: (860) 541-3400, enforces these protections and investigates complaints of discrimination based on improper use of arrest records.