Arrest records in Montville, Connecticut are considered public documents pursuant to Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-200 et seq. The statute establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including those related to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public with certain statutory exceptions. This transparency serves multiple public interests, including maintaining accountability of law enforcement agencies, informing community members of potential public safety concerns, and ensuring the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.
The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission has consistently ruled that basic arrest information must be disclosed promptly upon request, even while an investigation is ongoing. However, certain information may be redacted if its disclosure would compromise an active investigation or violate privacy rights protected under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b).
Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Montville have several official channels through which such information may be accessed:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests by visiting the Montville Police Department located at 310 Norwich-New London Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to:
Montville Police Department
Records Division
310 Norwich-New London Turnpike
Uncasville, CT 06382
Phone: (860) 848-7510
Town of Montville official website
Connecticut State Police Troop E: For incidents handled by state police, requests may be directed to:
Connecticut State Police Troop E
P.O. Box 306
Uncasville, CT 06382
Phone: (860) 848-6500
Online Access: The Montville Police Department maintains certain arrest logs on the Town of Montville website. These logs typically include recent arrests and are updated periodically in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 1-215.
Third-Party Services: Commercial information providers may offer access to compiled arrest records. However, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of such services cannot be guaranteed by municipal authorities.
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 1-212, fees may be assessed for the reproduction of public records. The current fee structure includes $0.50 per page for standard copies and additional charges for certified documents.
Arrest records maintained by the Montville Police Department and accessible to the public typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Connecticut General Statutes § 1-215:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, last known address, and physical description.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the circumstances that led to the arrest; and the arresting officer's name and badge number.
Criminal Charges: Complete list of charges filed, including the Connecticut General Statutes allegedly violated and the classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction).
Case Processing Information: Assigned case number, booking agency, court of jurisdiction, scheduled arraignment date, and bail or bond amount if applicable.
Disposition Information: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, which may include pending court dates, dismissals, convictions, or acquittals.
Photographic Documentation: Booking photographs ("mugshots") are generally included in the arrest record and are subject to public disclosure under Connecticut FOIA laws.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records if disclosure would constitute an invasion of personal privacy under Connecticut General Statutes § 1-210(b)(2) or compromise an ongoing investigation pursuant to § 1-210(b)(3).
Connecticut law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the erasure or expungement of arrest records. The process is governed primarily by Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a, which establishes the criteria and procedures for record erasure.
Eligibility for expungement in Montville is determined by several factors:
Case Disposition: Records may be eligible for automatic erasure if the case resulted in a dismissal, nolle prosequi (after 13 months), or acquittal.
Waiting Period: For certain convictions, individuals must wait a statutorily prescribed period before applying for expungement. Class A felonies are generally ineligible for expungement.
Clean Record Requirement: Applicants must not have subsequent arrests or convictions during the waiting period.
Offense Type: Certain offenses, particularly those involving sexual violence or crimes against minors, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a(e).
The expungement process requires the submission of a formal petition to the Superior Court where the case was adjudicated. The petition must conform to the requirements set forth in Practice Book § 36-1 through § 36-4. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing at which the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement.
If granted, an expungement order directs all criminal justice agencies to physically destroy or seal the records pertaining to the arrest. Following expungement, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 54-142a(e), the individual may lawfully state that they have never been arrested with respect to the erased charges.
Legal assistance is strongly recommended for navigating the expungement process due to its procedural complexity. The Connecticut Judicial Branch maintains self-help materials, but these are not substitutes for qualified legal counsel.