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West Haven Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in West Haven, Connecticut?

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:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Ensures accountability of public officials and agencies
Facilitates informed civic participation
Supports public safety through awareness of criminal activity
Enables background verification for employment and housing purposes

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).

How to Look Up West Haven Arrest Records in 2025

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:

In-Person Requests

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:

Government-issued photo identification
Completed records request form (available at the counter)
Applicable processing fees ($20.00 for standard reports)

Online Access

The West Haven Police Department provides limited online access to recent arrest logs through the municipal website. These logs typically include:

Name of arrested individual
Age and town of residence
Date of arrest
Primary charges
Court date information

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.

Mail Requests

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:

Requestor's full name and contact information
Specific information sought (date of incident, name of arrested individual)
Check or money order for applicable fees
Self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery

Processing time for mail requests typically ranges from 7-10 business days from receipt of complete request.

State-Level Resources

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

Contents of a West Haven Arrest Record

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:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of arrested individual
Known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Gender and race (as recorded by arresting officer)

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory violations and offense descriptions
Incident report number and cross-references
Weapon involvement (if applicable)
Presence of controlled substances (if applicable)

Procedural Information

Miranda rights acknowledgment
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records and identification numbers
Property inventory at time of booking
Medical screening documentation
Temporary detention location

Case Disposition

Bail or bond amount and conditions
Court appearance dates
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Case status indicators
Conviction information (if case has concluded)

Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b)(3), certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

Information that would identify confidential informants
Uncorroborated allegations
Information that would endanger ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (subject to separate statutory provisions)

Expungement of Arrest Records in West Haven

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Expungement eligibility is determined by case outcome and offense classification:

Cases resulting in dismissal: Records eligible for erasure 13 months after dismissal date
Nolle prosequi dispositions: Records eligible for erasure 13 months after prosecutor's decision not to prosecute
Not guilty verdicts: Records eligible for immediate erasure upon final judgment
Pardoned offenses: Records eligible for erasure upon receipt of absolute pardon
Decriminalized offenses: Records eligible for erasure if conduct is no longer criminal under current law

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.

Application Process

The expungement process requires formal petition to the Superior Court that maintained jurisdiction over the original case. Procedural requirements include:

Submission of JD-CR-136 form (Application for Erasure of Criminal Record)
Payment of filing fees ($75.00, subject to waiver for indigent applicants)
Verification of identity through government-issued identification
Documentation of case disposition through certified court records
Judicial review and determination

Upon court approval, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining arrest records, including:

West Haven Police Department
Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Court Support Services Division
State's Attorney's Office

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.