Grafton County Arrest Records

In Grafton County, New Hampshire, arrest records provide details on individuals apprehended by law enforcement for suspected criminal activity. Arrests may be made by the Grafton County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, or other law enforcement agencies within the county. These agencies also generate and maintain copies of Grafton County arrest records. Arrested individuals are held at the Grafton County Department of Corrections.

Arrest records are part of a broader category of public records, including Grafton County Court Records and criminal records. Arrest records are often used with court records during legal proceedings, documenting details of an individual’s arrest, charges, and subsequent legal actions.

Are Arrest Records Public in Grafton County?

Yes, Grafton County arrest records are generally public under the New Hampshire Right to Know Law. This means that most arrest records may be accessed by the public, as they are considered public records. However, certain information may be exempt from disclosure to protect the privacy of individuals or the integrity of ongoing investigations.

Examples of arrest information that are exempt from public access include:

• Records involving juveniles
• Information related to ongoing or sensitive investigations
• Cases involving victims of certain crimes, such as sexual assault or domestic violence
• Any records sealed by court order

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Grafton County contain the following information:

• Personal information - arrested individual’s name, age, gender, and physical description.
• Arrest details - the date, time, and location of the arrest, as well as the arresting agency (e.g., local police department or sheriff’s office).
• Charges against the arrested individual.
• Booking information - mugshots and booking number.
• Case information
• Bail or bond information
• Information regarding the facility where the individual is held in custody and their current custody status.

Grafton County Arrest Statistics

The New Hampshire Department of Safety compiles the arrest and crime statistics reported in all cities and counties in the state. In 2023, Grafton County reported 67 arrests, including 28 violent crime-related arrests and 39 for property crimes. The violent crime arrests included five for rape, one for robbery, and 22 for aggravated assault. There were no murder arrests. Regarding property crimes, the county saw 10 arrests for burglary, 23 for larceny or theft, five for motor vehicle theft, and one for arson.

Find Grafton County Arrest Records

There are county, state, and federal resources available for public use to find Grafton County arrest records and inmate information. The Grafton County Department of Corrections does not provide the general public access to inmate information through an online portal. However, you may obtain inmate information by calling (603) 787-2019 and providing information about the inmate, including the name, inmate ID, or date of birth.

The primary state resource for accessing arrest and inmate records in New Hampshire is the New Hampshire Department of Corrections (NHDOC) Inmate Locator Tool. It allows users to search for individuals currently held in state correctional facilities by name.

The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) offers an Inmate Locator for users seeking information on individuals who are in federal custody. Users may search by inmate name or BOP register number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Grafton County

In Grafton County, there are free resources are available for searching arrest records and inmate information, including:

• Grafton County Department of Corrections by calling (603) 787-2019.
• NHDOC Inmate Locator Tool.
• BOP Inmate Locator.

There are third-party websites that offer free arrest record searches. While third-party sites provide free access, they may sometimes offer limited information or attempt to charge for more detailed reports. Additionally, they may not be as reliable as official state resources, and sensitive information may be outdated. Always cross-reference third-party data with official sources when accuracy is crucial.

Grafton County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Grafton County, there is an important distinction between arrest records and criminal records, even though they are related to law enforcement activities. Arrest records detail the circumstances of an individual’s apprehension by law enforcement. An arrest record does not necessarily mean that the individual was convicted of a crime. It only indicates that the person was taken into custody because they were suspected of breaking the law. In some cases, the charges may be dropped, or the individual may be acquitted, but the arrest record will still exist.

Criminal records, on the other hand, provide a more comprehensive account of an individual’s interaction with the criminal justice system, including arrests and the outcome of criminal proceedings. A criminal record indicates that the individual has been convicted of a crime and will include information on the nature of the offense, the legal proceedings, and any penalties imposed.

In short, arrest records are a preliminary account of law enforcement action, while criminal records reflect the final outcomes of criminal proceedings, making criminal records a more complete representation of an individual’s legal history.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In New Hampshire, including Grafton County, arrests generally stay on a person’s record permanently unless annulled. Under New Hampshire law, individuals may petition for the annulment of an arrest record if the charges were dropped, the individual was acquitted, or if they have completed their sentence after a conviction. The time before a person may request an annulment varies depending on the type of offense and the court’s approval process. Without annulment, the arrest remains on the record indefinitely.

Expunge Grafton County Arrest Records

The process of expunging records in Grafton County, New Hampshire, is called annulment. New Hampshire law allows eligible individuals to apply for their records to be annulled or sealed from public access. If the court grants an annulment, the court will direct law enforcement and the prosecutor to remove the files and records from being accessible to the public. Annulled records are not destroyed.

The following records are eligible for annulment:

• Non-conviction records: This includes arrest and charging records that were dismissed, vacated, or not prosecuted, or in cases resulting in acquittal or a vacated conviction. These records may be annulled immediately or shortly after the case is done. And there are no restrictions based on the offense type.
• Old low-level marijuana possession convictions: Persons who have been convicted for possession of small amounts of marijuana may get the conviction annulled. There are no waiting periods.
• Misdemeanor and felony convictions that are eligible for annulment, with the waiting periods below:
  • Violations - one year.
  • Class B misdemeanors - two years.
  • Class A misdemeanor - three years.
  • Class A misdemeanor for domestic violence or sexual assault - ten years.
  • Class B felonies - five years.
  • Class A felonies - ten years.
  • Misdemeanor and felony drug possession crimes - two years.
  • Felony indecent exposure or lewdness: ten years.
  • DUIs - ten years

Waiting periods start to count from the day sentences are completed.

Follow the steps below to apply for annulment:

• The petitioner should apply to the New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) for a copy of their criminal record using the Criminal History Record Information Release Authorization Form. Under the “Purpose of Record” choose “Annulment/Expungement,” check the “Other” box, and write “full and confidential” record needed. Persons applying by mail should notarize the form.
• Apply for driving records from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
• Get all case summaries from the courts from which you require an annulment.
• Fill out the applicable petition and file it with the applicable fees and accompanying documents to the court.
• After filing, serve the relevant law enforcement agencies and the Grafton County Attorney General’s Office with the filed court processes. They have 20 days from the receipt of the processes to object to the annulment. If they fail to object in a timely manner or the court denies the prosecutor’s objection, the court shall annul the conviction.
• If the court approves the petition, the court will notify the NHSP. The NHSP will reach out to you regarding the next steps, including payment for the charge to be removed. If it is a non-conviction record, it is free, but conviction record payment costs $100.

Grafton County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge authorizing law enforcement officers to apprehend an individual suspected of committing a crime. In applying for an arrest warrant, the prosecutor or law enforcement agency must present sufficient evidence that demonstrates probable cause that the named-individual should be arrested.

Arrest warrants may be issued for various reasons, including but not limited to:

• When criminal investigation reveals evidence of a person’s involvement in a crime.
• If an individual fails to appear in court for a scheduled hearing or trial.
• If an individual violates the terms of their probation or parole.
• Individuals who are needed as witnesses in a trial but refuse to comply with subpoenas.

An arrest warrant generally contains specific information, including:

• Details of the person to be arrested - name, aliases, date of birth, and physical description.
• A description of the alleged offense(s) committed.
• A summary of the evidence or reasons justifing the issuance of the warrant.
• The name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate, along with the date of issuance.

Do Grafton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Grafton County, arrest warrants do not have a set expiration date in the same way that some legal documents might. Arrest warrants remain valid indefinitely unless they are executed (the individual is arrested), annulled, or quashed by a court. This means that law enforcement may attempt to execute the warrant at any time until it is resolved.