> >Lewiston Arrest Records

Lewiston Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lewiston, Maine?

Arrest records are public in Lewiston, Maine, pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes. This legislation establishes that governmental records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The FOAA supports principles of governmental transparency and accountability, enabling citizens to obtain information regarding arrests made within the jurisdiction.

The Maine State Police maintains that "generally, most government records are public records, unless they are designated confidential by another law" as stated on their Lewiston Reports page. Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic functions, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Allowing citizens to monitor the activities of public officials
Providing information that may be relevant to public safety
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with privacy protections established under Maine law, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

How to Look Up Lewiston Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Lewiston, Maine. Pursuant to Maine's public records laws, citizens may access these documents through several official channels. The following options are available for conducting arrest record searches:

In-Person Requests

Members of the public may visit the Lewiston Police Department to submit requests for arrest records:

Lewiston Police Department
171 Park Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Phone: (207) 513-3001
Official Website

Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

When requesting records in person, individuals must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and departmental workload.

State Police Records

The Maine State Police maintains a central repository of criminal history information that includes arrest data from Lewiston:

Maine State Police, Criminal History Record and Identification Services
45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: (207) 624-7240
Official Website

Court Records

Arrest information may also be accessed through court records via the Maine Judicial Branch:

Androscoggin County Superior Court
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
Phone: (207) 330-7500

The Maine Judicial Branch has implemented the Maine eCourts system, which provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests in Lewiston.

Written Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted by mail to the Lewiston Police Department Records Division. Requests must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Nature of the incident (if known)
Requestor's contact information

Fees for copies of arrest records are established pursuant to § 408-A of the Maine Freedom of Access Act and may vary based on the volume of records requested.

Contents of a Lewiston Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Lewiston Police Department and accessible through the Maine criminal justice information system typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Standard components of Lewiston arrest records include:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Residential address at time of arrest
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Circumstances leading to the arrest
Whether force was used during apprehension

Criminal Charges

Specific violations of Maine state law or Lewiston municipal ordinances
Citation of relevant statutes, such as those found in the Maine Criminal Code
Classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, civil violation)
Preliminary charging decisions by law enforcement

Processing Information

Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Detention status (released on bail, held in custody)

Judicial Proceedings

Court docket numbers
Arraignment information
Bail determinations
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Case disposition (if available)

It should be noted that pursuant to Maine law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information related to juvenile offenders as specified in Title 15, Chapter 507 of the Maine Revised Statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lewiston

The State of Maine provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking to remove their arrest records from public access in Lewiston must comply with state law governing record expungement.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Title 15, Chapter 310, expungement may be available to individuals who meet the following criteria:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of all charges
Arrests not resulting in prosecution within the applicable statute of limitations
Successful completion of court-approved diversion programs
Certain non-violent offenses after specified waiting periods
Juvenile records meeting statutory requirements for sealing

Application Process

The expungement process requires formal petition to the court that handled the original case:

Petitioner must file appropriate documentation with the Androscoggin County Superior Court or Lewiston District Court
Court administration reviews the petition for compliance with statutory requirements
Notification is provided to the District Attorney's Office, which may contest the petition
Judicial review determines whether expungement serves the interests of justice

Legal Effects

When expungement is granted by judicial order:

The arrest record is removed from public access
Law enforcement agencies must restrict access to the expunged record
The individual may legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense
Certain governmental agencies may retain limited access for specific purposes as authorized by statute

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal considerations. The Maine Judicial Branch provides standardized forms for expungement petitions through the Maine Courts website.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Lewiston are generally public, Maine law establishes several important limitations on access and use. These restrictions balance the public's right to information with individual privacy interests and due process considerations.

The Maine Criminal History Record Information Act (Title 16, Chapter 7) governs the dissemination of arrest information and imposes the following restrictions:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be withheld if disclosure would prejudice law enforcement proceedings
Information regarding juvenile arrests is subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Title 15, § 3308
Records of arrests that did not result in conviction may have limited accessibility after specified time periods
Use of arrest records for employment decisions is regulated by the Maine Human Rights Act (Title 5, Chapter 337)

Additionally, pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3009, the City of Lewiston has established local ordinances that may affect the release of certain arrest information, particularly in cases involving municipal violations as referenced in Lewiston Code Chapter 70.

Departmental Responsibilities for Record Maintenance

The maintenance and accessibility of arrest records in Lewiston involves coordination between multiple municipal and state agencies. Primary responsibility for these functions is distributed as follows:

The Lewiston Police Department Records Division, operating under the authority of the Lewiston Police Department, serves as the principal custodian of arrest records generated by municipal law enforcement. This division:

Processes and catalogs arrest documentation
Responds to public records requests
Implements retention schedules in accordance with state archival requirements
Coordinates with the Maine Criminal Justice Information System

The City Clerk's Office maintains certain public safety records and provides administrative support for records management across municipal departments.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and detention records for individuals processed through the county jail system following arrest in Lewiston.

The Maine State Bureau of Identification, operating under the Department of Public Safety, maintains the centralized criminal history repository that includes fingerprint-based arrest records from all Maine jurisdictions, including Lewiston.