Strafford County Arrest Records

In Strafford County, New Hampshire, an arrest occurs when a law enforcement officer has "probable cause" to believe an individual has committed a crime. Probable cause is a legal standard outlined in New Hampshire's RSA 594:10, which permits officers to make an arrest if they witness a crime, have credible evidence connecting a person to the crime, or receive reliable information from a witness. Additionally, arrests may occur when a judge or magistrate issues a warrant for the individual's arrest, per RSA 594:2.

The arrestee is processed through a "booking" procedure following an arrest. This involves collecting personal details and collating this booking information and arrest details into an official arrest record, which the arresting agency stores. However, arrest-related information may also be referenced in judicial proceedings and included within Strafford County court records. Depending on the nature of the alleged crime, the individual may either be released on bail or held in custody at a local detention facility, such as the Strafford County Department of Corrections. The severity of the charges often dictates whether they will be released or detained while awaiting a hearing or trial.

Are Arrest Records Public in Strafford County?

Arrest records in Strafford County are considered public records under New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A). This statute ensures that the public can access records created and maintained by public bodies, including arrest records held by law enforcement agencies.

However, there are some exceptions to public access. Under New Hampshire law, specific arrest records are exempt from disclosure. These include:

• Juvenile records – Records involving minors are generally sealed to protect their privacy.
• Records that may compromise an investigation or put individuals at risk—for example, information that might endanger the safety of witnesses or law enforcement personnel.
• Records involving sensitive personal information – Arrest records that reveal medical, financial, or welfare details may be restricted to prevent privacy violations.
• Sealed/Expunged Records: According to RSA 651:5, the courts may issue an order to seal certain arrest records in some cases if releasing them could harm the subject's reputation or endanger public safety.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Publicly accessible arrest records in Strafford County typically include the following information:

• Personal Information: Details about the arrested individual, such as their name, date of birth, gender, height, weight, physical descriptions (e.g., tattoos or scars), and more.
• Details of the Arrest: This includes the date, time, and location of the arrest, along with the name of the law enforcement officer or agency responsible.
• Criminal Charges: A description of the charges, including whether they are classified as misdemeanors or felonies, as outlined in New Hampshire's RSA 625:9.
• Booking Information: Photographs (mugshots), fingerprints, and any other identifying materials collected during the booking process.
• Bail Information: If applicable, what is the amount of bail set and any conditions for release?

Find Strafford County Arrest Records

Strafford County arrest records are available through the Strafford County Sheriff's Office since it is the jurisdiction's primary law enforcement and arresting agency. Interested public members may obtain these records by sending a written request to the office containing details of the inmate of interest and some incarceration information to aid the search. Queries may be addressed to:

Strafford County Sheriff's Office
259 County Farm Road, Suite 105
Dover, New Hampshire 03820
Phone: (603) 742-4960
Fax: (603) 516-2280

At the state level, individuals can access arrest records using the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) search tool provided by the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police. Searches typically require inquirers to name the individual in question as well as their city and county (in this case, Strafford).

For arrests made by federal agencies operating within Strafford County, inquirers may utilize the FBI Federal Inmate Locator or Online Detainee Locator System operated by ICE.

Free Arrest Record Search in Strafford County

Many police departments and local law enforcement agencies in Strafford County may allow requesters to view arrest records in person at no cost. For example, the Strafford County Sheriff's Office and local police departments may charge only for the reproduction of records but often allow free viewing on-site.

Additionally, third-party public records websites aggregate data from various government sources and may offer free searches for arrest records. These platforms often allow searches by the individual's first and last name. However, accessing more detailed or comprehensive records may require a fee.

Get Strafford County Criminal Records

Strafford County criminal records provide more detailed information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. They can be accessed at the county or state levels through the Sheriff's office or the New Hampshire State Police.

In Strafford County, the Sheriff's Office does not have an online portal for self-search. However, they can be reached by phone or visited in person for guidance on accessing county-level criminal records:

Strafford County Sheriff's Office
259 County Farm Road
Dover, NH 03820
Phone: (603) 742-4960

Criminal records maintained by the New Hampshire State Police can only be disseminated to the subject of the record or individuals authorized by law, except when allowed by the record subject.

To request criminal records from the state police, inquirers should download and complete the Criminal History Record Release Authorization Form. The completed application, along with a payment of $25, may be submitted to the Department of Safety at:

New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit
33 Hazen Drive, Room 106A
Concord, NH 03305

It is worth noting that per the New Hampshire Administrative Rule Saf-C 5703.07, selected persons may qualify for a reduced fee of $10 for a state-wide criminal records check. Government agencies and attorneys may also be exempt from paying fees for investigative purposes.

Strafford County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Though the terms "arrest record" and "criminal record" are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of an individual's legal history.

Arrest records provide details about a specific arrest, including the circumstances leading up to the arrest, the name of the arresting officer or law enforcement agency, and whether the individual was charged, detained, or released on bail. They typically focus on the immediate details surrounding the arrest and may not reflect the outcome of the case.

Criminal records, on the other hand, are more comprehensive. They include information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. These records often contain data from multiple sources, such as law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional institutions. They provide a full account of an individual's criminal history, including any legal proceedings that followed the arrest.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Strafford County, New Hampshire, arrest records remain on an individual's record for life unless they successfully petition for an annulment. Per New Hampshire law (RSA 651:5), an annulment effectively removes the arrest from public view and makes it as though the arrest never occurred. However, without an annulment, the record of the arrest remains part of the individual's criminal history indefinitely.

Expunge Strafford County Arrest Records

Individuals who have been arrested in Strafford County may be eligible to have the records annulled depending on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and whether all court-ordered conditions—such as probation, fines, or community service—have been fully satisfied.

Typically, an individual will be eligible to have their records expunged if:

• Their offense is a Class A/B misdemeanor, Class A/B felony, or a violation
• No charges were filed
• Their charges were dismissed by the court
• The designated waiting period has elapsed.

The process for filing for expungement is as follows:

• File a Petition for Annulment: The process begins by filing a formal petition for annulment. Petition forms are available on the New Hampshire Judicial Branch website and must be submitted to the court where the original case was heard.
• Obtain Necessary Documentation: Gather all relevant documents, such as the criminal record, case summaries, and FBI records. These details are often required on the petition form.
• Pay the Filing Fees: The court charges a filing fee of $125 for the petition. Additionally, the Department of Corrections may require an extra $100 fee if an arrest record investigation is deemed necessary.
• Court Review and Decision: Once the petition is submitted, the court will review it and may either approve or deny the request. If approved, the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit is notified to remove the arrest from their records within 1-2 business days. The process for removal from FBI records may take up to 4 weeks.
• The annulment will only be finalized for arrests resulting in a guilty charge after a $100 fee is paid to the New Hampshire Department of Safety.

Strafford County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Strafford County is a written order issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of a crime. They are typically issued when there is probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a criminal offense.

Information Typically Included in a Strafford County Arrest Warrant:

• The individual's name
• Biodata and physical description
• Their last known address
• The alleged offense
• The agency responsible for executing the warrant
• The issuing authority and date of issuance

Strafford County Arrest Warrant Search

To find active arrest warrants in Strafford County, individuals can contact the Strafford County Sheriff's Office via phone at (603) 742-4960, via email, or in person. However, in most cases, applicants will need to make in-person requests to the office to be provided sufficient information about an active warrant since the requester's ID cannot be confirmed virtually.

Local police departments may also provide information on active warrants within their jurisdictions.

Strafford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Strafford County, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the individual is arrested, turns themselves in, or the court withdraws the warrant.