Arrest records are public documents in Ledyard, Connecticut, pursuant to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Connecticut FOIA operates under the presumption that government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Ledyard Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records serve multiple public interests, including:
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile privacy rights, or victim information as provided under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b).
The Ledyard Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212, requestors may obtain copies of public records upon proper request. The following methods are available for accessing Ledyard arrest records:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Ledyard Police Department headquarters during regular business hours.
Ledyard Police Department
737 Colonel Ledyard Highway
Ledyard, CT 06339
(860) 464-6400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Division at the address listed above.
The Emergency Communications Center maintains certain arrest information and can provide guidance on records requests.
Online access to recent arrest information may be available through the department's News Releases page.
For statewide criminal history information, requestors may contact:
Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 685-8480
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212(a), fees may apply for copying records, with the current statutory rate set at $0.50 per page.
Arrest records maintained by the Ledyard Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142g. These records document the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system. Standard components of Ledyard arrest records include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
Arrest details:
Criminal charges:
Case processing information:
The Patrol Division of the Ledyard Police Department is primarily responsible for making arrests and initiating the documentation process that creates these records. Department Personnel follow standardized protocols for record creation and maintenance in accordance with state regulations and department policies.
Connecticut's approach to public access of arrest records is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances transparency with privacy considerations. The foundation of this framework includes:
Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210 establishes the fundamental right of public access to government records, including arrest records, with specific exemptions. Under this statute, law enforcement agencies must disclose:
The Police Blotter Law, Connecticut General Statutes § 1-215, specifically addresses arrest records and requires disclosure of:
Disclosure limitations exist under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b)(3), which protects certain information when disclosure would:
The Connecticut Supreme Court has further clarified these provisions in Commissioner of Public Safety v. Freedom of Information Commission, 312 Conn. 513 (2014), establishing that only basic police blotter information and press releases concerning arrests must be disclosed during pending prosecutions.
While arrest records are generally public in Ledyard, Connecticut law establishes several important restrictions on access. These limitations serve to protect individual privacy rights, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations. Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, the following restrictions apply:
Juvenile records: Arrest records for individuals under 18 years of age are subject to confidentiality protections under Connecticut General Statutes § 46b-124. These records are not publicly accessible except under limited circumstances.
Erased records: Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a mandates that records of criminal cases resulting in dismissal, nolle prosequi, or acquittal shall be erased and not available to the public.
Sealed records: Court orders may seal certain arrest records from public view, particularly in cases involving:
Redacted information: Certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, including:
The Ledyard Police Department follows these statutory requirements when processing public requests for arrest records. Requestors should be aware that these restrictions may limit the information available in response to their inquiries.
Connecticut law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement effectively erases arrest records from public access and, in some cases, from government databases. The primary statutory authority for expungement is found in Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a.
Automatic erasure applies in the following circumstances:
For cases not qualifying for automatic erasure, individuals may petition for expungement through:
The expungement process typically requires:
Upon successful expungement, the Ledyard Police Department and other state agencies must comply with court orders to remove records from public access. Individuals seeking expungement may wish to consult with legal counsel regarding their specific circumstances and eligibility.