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New Haven Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in New Haven, Connecticut?

Arrest records are public documents in New 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 law enforcement entities, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Connecticut FOIA promotes governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information about law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings within their communities.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes:

Enables community awareness of law enforcement actions
Supports transparency in the criminal justice system
Allows individuals to verify the accuracy of their own records
Provides information for background checks and public safety concerns

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain information protected by privacy laws, involve ongoing investigations, or include details about juvenile offenders as specified in Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124.

How to Look Up New Haven Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in New Haven, Connecticut. Members of the public may utilize the following official channels to obtain this information:

Online Access Options

The Connecticut Judicial Branch maintains an electronic case lookup system where individuals may search for arrest and court records. This system is accessible through the Connecticut State website and provides basic case information for arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.

Requirements for online searches include:

Name of the arrested individual
Case number (if known)
Date range of the arrest (recommended)

In-Person Requests

Individuals may obtain more detailed arrest records by visiting:

New Haven Police Department Records Division
1 Union Avenue
New Haven, CT 06519
(203) 946-6316
New Haven Police Department

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and federal holidays

Connecticut Superior Court - New Haven Judicial District
235 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 503-6800
Connecticut Judicial Branch

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to the New Haven Police Department Records Division. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212, such requests must:

Be made in writing
Clearly identify the records being requested
Include contact information for the requestor
Be accompanied by applicable fees

Standard processing time for written requests is 4-6 weeks, depending on departmental workload and the complexity of the request.

Contents of a New Haven Arrest Record

New Haven arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity (as reported)
Residential address at time of arrest

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and facility
Specific charges filed, including Connecticut General Statutes citations
Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony)
Weapon involvement (if applicable)

Case Processing Information

Court docket number
Arraignment date
Bond or bail amount
Detention status
Court appearance schedule
Case disposition (if resolved)

Identification Records

Fingerprint classification
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number
FBI number (if applicable)

It should be noted that pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a, records pertaining to cases resulting in dismissals, nolle prosequi, or acquittals may be subject to erasure after specified time periods.

Expungement of Arrest Records in New Haven

The State of Connecticut provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a. Expungement, also referred to as "erasure" in Connecticut law, results in the physical destruction of records or their removal from public access.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may qualify for expungement of New Haven arrest records under the following conditions:

Cases resulting in dismissal (eligible for expungement 13 months after dismissal)
Cases disposed of by nolle prosequi (eligible for expungement 13 months after the nolle)
Cases resulting in acquittal (eligible for immediate expungement)
Certain non-violent offenses after completion of specified waiting periods
Pardoned offenses (eligible for expungement upon receipt of pardon)

Application Process

The expungement process requires filing a petition with:

Superior Court Clerk's Office - New Haven Judicial District
235 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 503-6800
Connecticut Judicial Branch

Required documentation includes:

Completed JD-CR-136 Petition for Erasure form
Certified copy of disposition
Court filing fee (may be waived for indigent applicants)
Supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility

Effects of Expungement

When an arrest record is expunged pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes:

Physical records are destroyed or sealed
Electronic records are removed from public databases
The arrest is deemed never to have occurred for most purposes
The individual may legally state they have never been arrested regarding the expunged matter
Law enforcement agencies retain limited access for specific statutory purposes

Certain serious offenses, including sexual offenses requiring registration, are ineligible for expungement under Connecticut law.