Arrest records in West Haven, Connecticut are classified as public documents pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 through § 1-242, collectively known as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These statutes establish that records generated, maintained, or kept on file by any public agency are accessible to the public, with certain statutory exemptions. The Connecticut FOIA applies to all municipal agencies, including the West Haven Police Department and other law enforcement entities operating within city jurisdiction.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and civic functions:
Residents and non-residents alike may request and obtain arrest records from West Haven authorities without demonstrating a specific need or purpose for such information, though certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy provisions under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b).
The West Haven Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within municipal boundaries. Members of the public seeking arrest information may utilize several official channels to obtain these records. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches in West Haven:
Individuals may submit requests in person at:
West Haven Police Department
200 Saw Mill Road
West Haven, CT 06516
(203) 937-3900
West Haven Police Department
Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays
Required documentation for in-person requests includes:
The West Haven Police Department provides limited online access to recent arrest logs through the municipal website. These logs typically include:
For comprehensive arrest records, requestors must utilize other methods outlined herein, as the online system primarily serves as an informational resource rather than a complete records repository.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to:
Records Division
West Haven Police Department
P.O. Box 312
West Haven, CT 06516
Mail requests must include:
Processing time for mail requests typically ranges from 7-10 business days from receipt of complete request.
For arrests involving state police or multi-jurisdictional operations, requestors may need to contact:
Connecticut State Police
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 685-8000
Connecticut State Police Records Division
Arrest records maintained by the West Haven Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g and departmental policies. Standard arrest records include the following categories of information:
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b)(3), certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:
Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the expungement or erasure of arrest records under specific circumstances. The legal framework for record expungement is established under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a through § 54-142e. Individuals seeking expungement of West Haven arrest records must comply with statutory requirements and judicial procedures.
Expungement eligibility is determined by case outcome and offense classification:
Certain serious felonies, including Class A felonies, most sexual offenses, and family violence crimes, are statutorily ineligible for expungement regardless of case outcome or time elapsed.
The expungement process requires formal petition to the Superior Court that maintained jurisdiction over the original case. Procedural requirements include:
Upon court approval, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining arrest records, including:
Expunged records are physically or electronically segregated from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142c, individuals with expunged records may legally state they have never been arrested in relation to the erased charges.