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Ledyard Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ledyard, Connecticut?

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:

  • Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
  • Enabling community awareness of public safety concerns
  • Facilitating accountability of government agencies
  • Supporting the constitutional right to public trials
  • Providing factual information to counteract rumors or misinformation

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).

How to Look Up Ledyard Arrest Records in 2025

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.

Contents of a Ledyard Arrest Record

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:

    • Full legal name
    • Date of birth
    • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
    • Residential address
    • Fingerprints and photograph (mugshot)
  • Arrest details:

    • Date, time, and location of arrest
    • Arresting officer(s) and badge number(s)
    • Statutory authority for the arrest
    • Incident report number
  • Criminal charges:

    • Connecticut General Statutes violations cited
    • Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, violation)
    • Brief narrative of alleged criminal activity
  • Case processing information:

    • Court docket number
    • Arraignment date
    • Bond amount and conditions
    • Court of jurisdiction

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.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

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 name and address of the person arrested
  • The date, time, and place of the arrest
  • The offense for which the person was arrested

The Police Blotter Law, Connecticut General Statutes § 1-215, specifically addresses arrest records and requires disclosure of:

  • The arrest report
  • Incident report
  • News release or other similar report of an arrest

Disclosure limitations exist under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b)(3), which protects certain information when disclosure would:

  • Prejudice a prospective law enforcement action
  • Reveal the identity of informants not otherwise known
  • Reveal investigatory techniques not otherwise known
  • Endanger the life or physical safety of any person

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.

Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

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:

    • Youthful offenders (ages 16-17) under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-76o
    • Family violence cases under certain circumstances
    • Cases where disclosure would compromise public safety
  • Redacted information: Certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, including:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Dates of birth
    • Home addresses of law enforcement personnel
    • Information regarding sexual assault victims
    • Medical information protected under HIPAA

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.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ledyard

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:

  • Cases resulting in a not guilty finding or verdict
  • Cases dismissed by the court
  • Cases where nolle prosequi has been entered and 13 months have elapsed
  • Cases where the accused was pardoned

For cases not qualifying for automatic erasure, individuals may petition for expungement through:

  • The Board of Pardons and Paroles for pardons after completing their sentence
  • Court petition for erasure of records in cases of mistaken identity or false arrest
  • Accelerated Rehabilitation Program completion under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-56e

The expungement process typically requires:

  1. Filing appropriate petition forms with the court of jurisdiction
  2. Payment of applicable filing fees
  3. Attendance at scheduled court hearings
  4. Demonstration of eligibility under relevant statutes

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.

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