Maine Arrest Records

Is Maine an Open Arrest Records State?

Maine is considered an open arrest records state pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes. This designation means that arrest records maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies are generally accessible to members of the public. The state legislature has determined that transparency in the criminal justice system serves the public interest by promoting accountability among law enforcement agencies and fostering community trust.

The Maine Freedom of Access Act establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, shall be available for public inspection and copying. However, certain exceptions exist to protect individual privacy rights, ongoing investigations, and confidential informant information. The Maine State Bureau of Identification, operating under the Department of Public Safety, serves as the central repository for criminal history record information in the state.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while Maine law favors disclosure, specific exemptions may apply to juvenile records, records pertaining to victims of certain crimes, and records that might compromise active investigations as outlined in Title 16, Chapter 3, Subchapter 8 of the Maine Revised Statutes.

Maine State Bureau of Identification
45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-7240
Maine State Police

How to Look Up Maine Arrest Records in 2025

The State of Maine provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

Electronic court records are available through the Maine Judicial Branch's re:SearchMaine portal, where registered users can access case information remotely.
The Maine Adult Resident/Adult Community Corrections Client Search Service provides a free database of individuals currently under Department of Corrections supervision.
In-person requests may be submitted at local law enforcement agencies, where public terminals are often available for record searches.
Written requests for criminal history information can be submitted to the State Bureau of Identification with the required fee.

For comprehensive criminal history records, individuals must submit a formal request to the State Bureau of Identification. Pursuant to Title 16, §703 of the Maine Revised Statutes, requestors must provide proper identification and pay the statutory fee of $31.00 per name search as of 2025. Records provided through this channel include all reportable criminal history information, including arrests, charges, and dispositions.

Local police departments maintain records specific to their jurisdictions. For example:

Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 874-8479
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Portland Police Department

Bangor Police Department
240 Main Street
Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 947-7382
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Bangor Police Department

Contents of a Maine Arrest Record

Maine arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by the Criminal History Record Information Act (Title 16, Chapter 3, Subchapter 8). These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, cited by specific Maine Criminal Code sections
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking information including fingerprints and photographs
Case disposition information, when available
Bail conditions or pretrial release information

It should be noted that pursuant to Title 16, §703(2), certain information is specifically excluded from public criminal history information, including intelligence and investigative information, juvenile records, and information related to proceedings that did not result in conviction. The Criminal Records Review Committee periodically evaluates policies regarding the content and accessibility of criminal records in Maine.

Understanding the Maine Open Records Act

The Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), commonly referred to as the Maine Open Records Act, establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access public records. This legislation, codified in Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes, operates under the principle that government transparency is essential to a functioning democracy.

Key provisions of the FOAA include:

A presumption of public accessibility for all government records unless specifically exempted by statute
A requirement that agencies respond to record requests within 5 working days
Authorization for reasonable fees to cover the actual cost of searching for, retrieving, and copying requested records
Procedures for appealing denied requests through administrative or judicial channels

The Act defines public records broadly to include "any written, printed or graphic matter or any mechanical or electronic data compilation from which information can be obtained" that is in the possession or custody of a public agency. This definition encompasses arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Individuals who believe they have been wrongfully denied access to public records may file a complaint with the Public Access Ombudsman at the Office of the Attorney General or pursue judicial remedies as provided in Title 1, §409. Willful violation of the FOAA by public officials constitutes a civil violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 per violation under Title 17-A, §456.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Maine

Maine law provides limited opportunities for the expungement or sealing of arrest records. Unlike many states, Maine does not have a comprehensive expungement statute that allows for the complete erasure of criminal records. Instead, the state offers specific remedies under certain circumstances.

Pursuant to Title 16, §703, criminal history record information pertaining to proceedings that did not result in conviction is classified as confidential and is not disseminated as public criminal history information. This includes:

Acquittals and dismissals
Cases where the prosecutor declined to prosecute
Cases where grand juries returned "no bill" decisions

For individuals seeking to limit access to their criminal records, Maine offers the following options:

Record Sealing for Certain Drug Offenses: Under Title 22, §2383-B(6), individuals convicted of possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia prior to legalization may petition the court to seal those records.
Pardon Process: The Governor of Maine has constitutional authority to grant pardons. While a pardon does not expunge a record, it may restore certain rights and serve as official forgiveness for the offense.
Court-Ordered Confidentiality: In limited circumstances, courts may order certain records to be designated confidential.

Individuals seeking to address their criminal records should be aware that even when records are sealed or designated confidential, they may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain licensing boards. The Maine Department of Corrections can provide guidance on the status of correctional records.

How to Find Local Arrests in Maine?

Members of the public seeking information about recent local arrests in Maine have several authorized channels through which such information may be obtained. Local law enforcement agencies throughout the state maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions, and many provide public access to this information through various means:

Agency Websites: Many police departments maintain sections on their official websites where recent arrest logs are posted. These typically include basic information about arrests made within the previous 24-72 hours.
Public Information Officers: Law enforcement agencies designate Public Information Officers who can respond to inquiries about recent arrest activity.
Media Releases: Significant arrests are often documented in press releases distributed to local media outlets.
Court Dockets: Daily court dockets are public records that list arraignments for recent arrests.

For in-person inquiries about local arrests, individuals may visit:

Maine State Police Headquarters
45 Commerce Drive
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-7200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Maine State Police

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
36 County Way
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 774-1444
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

Pursuant to Title 34-A, §5404, probation and parole officers maintain records of individuals under community supervision, including those recently arrested for probation violations. The Adult Community Corrections division of the Maine Department of Corrections can provide information about individuals under their supervision who have been arrested for violations.

Search Arrest Records in Maine

Counties

Androscoggin Aroostook Cumberland Franklin Kennebec Penobscot Sagadahoc Waldo Washington York