Belknap County Arrest Records

Arrests happen when persons are apprehended and taken into custody by law enforcement to answer for a crime (NH RSA 594:1). This becomes necessary when there is probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime or is suspected of a criminal offense. Arrests may happen with or without an arrest warrant per NH RSA 594:7, 594:9, and 594:10.

Once an individual is arrested in Belknap County, the police officer who made the arrest will document the event by filing a report. This report contains information such as the arrestee's name, the alleged crime, the date and time of the arrest, the location of the arrest, evidence collected, and arresting officer or agency information. After being filed, this report becomes an official arrest record.

The Belknap County Sheriff's Office is primarily responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records. Local police departments, such as the Laconia Police Department or the Gilford Police Department, also contribute to these records if the arrest occurred within their jurisdiction.

Belknap County arrest records are part of the broader category of public criminal justice records in the county and state. For instance, these records are featured within Belknap County court records and criminal history records held by the New Hampshire State Police.

Are Arrest Records Public in Belknap County?

Yes. Arrest records are public in Belknap County under the New Hampshire Right-To-Know law (NH RSA 91-A). This law provides public access to government records created or generated by public agencies in furtherance of their official functions. Thus, individuals can submit requests to local law enforcement agencies in Belknap County to inspect, view, or obtain copies of arrest records.

However, exemptions under the Right-To-Know law allow certain arrest information or records to be restricted from public disclosure. This includes arrest records or information related to ongoing law enforcement investigations, juvenile arrest records, sealed or expunged arrest records, and those containing sensitive information whose disclosure will constitute a violation of privacy.

Even though exempt or restricted arrest records or information are unavailable to the general public, individuals such as the arrestee, their legal representative, or public agencies (i.e., law enforcement) can obtain these records for official purposes.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A publicly available Belknap County arrest record contains the following information:

• The name of the individual arrested
• The alleged crime
• The date and time of the arrest
• The location of the arrest
• Any charges filed
• The arresting officer's details and the arresting agency
• A photograph or mugshot
• Arrest number or case identification number.

Belknap County Arrest Statistics

In 2023, Belknap County recorded 845 arrests for offenses classified as Group A, according to the New Hampshire State Police Uniform Crime Report Unit (UCR). Among these arrests were: 2 for kidnapping and abduction, 4 for pornography, 22 for weapons law violations, 180 for drug/narcotics violations, 35 for stolen property, 11 for motor vehicle theft, 37 for all other larceny, 21 for theft from building, 126 for shoplifting, 10 for robbery, 3 for identity theft, 1 for wire fraud, 58 for destruction/vandalism, 33 for forgery/counterfeiting, 23 for intimidation, 191 for simple assault, 21 for aggravated assault, 1 for rape, 1 for sodomy, 1 for statutory rape, and 1 for arson.

Find Belknap County Arrest Records

Belknap County arrest records are maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The public can request these records from agencies such as the Belknap County Sheriff's Department or local police departments like the New Hampton Police Department and the Laconia Police Department.

To obtain arrest records from the Belknap County Sheriff's Department, submit a completed records request form in person or by mail. The fees are $1.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page, with a minimum charge of $5.00.

Belknap County Sheriff's Department
42 County Drive
Laconia, NH 03246
Phone: (603) 527-5454
Fax: (603) 527-5469

On the other hand, for records from local police departments in Belknap County, visit their respective offices or check their websites for instructions on how to request arrest reports. For example, individuals can submit a "request for police report" form in person or by mail to the New Hampton Police Department at:

New Hampton Police Department
24 Intervale Drive
New Hampton, NH 03256.

Meanwhile, to obtain statewide arrest records, contact the Criminal Records Unit of the New Hampshire State Police. They maintain the central repository for all criminal history records in the state, including arrest records. Requests may be submitted online, in person, or by mail. For online requests, visit the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Portal.

To submit a request in person, visit the criminal records public counter. For mail requests, download and complete the Criminal Record Release Authorization Form and mail it to:

Criminal Records Unit
33 Hazen Drive
Room 106A
Concord, NH 03305.

A $25.00 fee is required for each request.

Additionally, interested parties can use the New Hampshire Department of Corrections "Inmate Locator" to find information on arrested offenders serving time in the state.

Free Arrest Record Search in Belknap County

Under the New Hampshire Right-To-Know law, individuals can request arrest records from the Belknap County Sheriff's Department and local police departments. Generally, requests for record inspections are free. However, record lookups or inspections are primarily available online through databases maintained by law enforcement agencies. Where this option is unavailable, individuals may have to pay to request copies of arrest records in person or by mail.

Alternatively, the public can access Belknap County arrest records on third-party websites that offer searchable databases. However, because these sites operate independently of law enforcement agencies, the reliability and accuracy of the arrest data and information they provide are not guaranteed, and access may be limited to basic summary reports.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Arrests remain on a person's record indefinitely unless they are sealed or expunged by court order. New Hampshire law does not specify a standard retention period for arrest records. Therefore, Belknap County criminal justice agencies (i.e., the courts and law enforcement), like other jurisdictions within the state, typically retain these records permanently unless they are legally expunged or sealed. However, for an arrest to be sealed or expunged, it must first be eligible for this sealing or expungement, and the individual must then petition the court for it.

Expunge Belknap County Arrest Records

Interested and eligible individuals can expunge or seal their arrest records under the New Hampshire Expungement law. Expunged records are fully removed, while sealed records are kept confidential but not deleted. In New Hampshire, expungement is called "annulment".

Annulled arrest records are removed from public databases, state police records, state-run background checks, etc., making it seem like the arrest never occurred. Sealing a record only restricts public access, per Rule 50 of State Criminal Procedure.

Eligibility for arrest record expungement

Most arrests can be expunged except for violent crimes, obstruction of justice, and severe offenses like murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and child pornography. Non-conviction arrests can be annulled 30 days after dismissal or acquittal.

Juvenile records are typically expunged at age 21 but remain accessible to law enforcement. To be eligible to expunge their record, others must demonstrate good behavior for a waiting period, generally one year after sentencing, which varies by crime severity.

Filing a petition to expunge arrest record

After the waiting period and sentence completion, the arrestee should file a "petition to annul record" in the sentencing court with documents showing compliance. The court reviews the request, checks with the Department of Corrections, and may consult the prosecutor. The court decides based on the petitioner's rehabilitation and public welfare. Hearings are unnecessary unless requested.

There's a $100 filing fee, which can be waived for non-convictions. If denied, reapplication is allowed after three years. Upon approval, a certificate of annulment is issued, and relevant law enforcement agencies (i.e., sheriff's department, police department, and New Hampshire State Police) are notified to clear the records.

Meanwhile, to seal an arrest record, the arrestee must file a motion to seal, stating the facts, laws, and specific relief sought. The record can be fully sealed or partially redacted. The motion is served to all parties for objections, and the court reviews everything before deciding whether to grant or deny the request.

Belknap County Arrest Warrants

Belknap County arrest warrants are legal documents authorizing law enforcement to apprehend and detain individuals suspected of criminal offenses within the county. Arrest warrants are issued by a judge or magistrate based on evidence presented to the court establishing probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and the individual named is responsible. This typically follows a police investigation or a criminal complaint. They may also be issued if someone has failed to appear in court or violated parole or probation.

Rule 3 of the New Hampshire Rules of Criminal Procedure outlines the procedures for complaints, arrest warrants, arrests, summons, and release before arraignment. This rule generally governs how arrest warrants are issued and executed in Belknap County.

Belknap County arrest warrants can be executed anytime and anywhere, including the individual's home, workplace, or during a traffic stop. An arrest warrant typically includes the name of the individual, the alleged crime, the date of issuance, and the signature of the issuing judge or magistrate.

The public can obtain information on active arrest warrants in the county by contacting local law enforcement agencies in the county, such as the Belknap County Sheriff's Office.

Belknap County Sheriff's Department
42 County Drive
Laconia, NH 03246
Phone: (603) 527-5454
Fax: (603) 527-5469

Otherwise, they can look up the county's "Most Wanted List," as persons whose names appear on the list likely have active arrest warrants against them.

Do Belknap County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Belknap County arrest warrants remain valid once issued until they are executed, recalled by the court, or the subject of the warrant dies. An arrest warrant is considered executed when the person named in the warrant is apprehended, taken into custody, or voluntarily surrenders to law enforcement. The court may dismiss or recall a warrant if it finds, upon the party's motion, that the warrant is illegal or invalid.