Houlton Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Houlton, Maine?
Arrest records are public documents in Houlton, Maine, pursuant to Maine's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), 1 M.R.S.A. §§ 400-414. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The FOAA operates under the principle that government transparency is essential to a functioning democracy, allowing members of the public to monitor the activities of public officials and agencies.
The Aroostook County Sheriff's Office and the Houlton Police Department maintain these records as part of their official duties. While most arrest information is accessible to the public, certain exceptions exist under Maine law to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in 16 M.R.S.A. § 709.
Requesters should note that while the records are public, agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, retrieving, and copying requested documents as permitted under 1 M.R.S.A. § 408-A.
How to Look Up Houlton Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Houlton have multiple methods available to access this information. Each method offers different advantages depending on the requester's needs and circumstances:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Houlton Police Department located at 97 Military Street, Houlton, ME 04730. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requesters must complete a public records request form and provide identification. The department typically processes requests within 5 business days as required by Maine law.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to: Houlton Police Department, Records Division, 97 Military Street, Houlton, ME 04730. Requests must include the requester's contact information, specific information being sought, and applicable fees.
Online Resources: The Houlton Police Department maintains an online database of recent arrests at their official website. This resource provides limited information but serves as a convenient starting point for preliminary searches.
Aroostook County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county deputies in the Houlton area, records may be requested from the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office at 25 School Street, Suite 216, Houlton, ME 04730. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and they can be reached at (207) 532-3471.
Maine State Bureau of Identification: For comprehensive criminal history information, requesters may contact the State Bureau of Identification at 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1, Augusta, ME 04333. The bureau can be reached at (207) 624-7240 and processes requests pursuant to 25 M.R.S.A. § 1541.
Fees for record retrieval vary based on the complexity of the search and volume of records requested. Standard fees include $15 for a basic records search and $0.25 per page for photocopies as established by municipal ordinance.
Contents of a Houlton Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Houlton Police Department and accessible to the public typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Maine Criminal Justice Information System standards:
Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and last known address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting officer's name and badge number; agency case number; and booking photograph (mugshot).
Criminal Charges: Specific charges filed, including Maine Criminal Code citations (Title 17-A references); classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies; and court docket numbers once assigned.
Procedural Information: Whether the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant or probable cause; Miranda warning documentation; property and evidence collected; and initial appearance date.
Bail Information: Bail amount set, conditions of release, and whether the individual was released or remanded to custody at the Aroostook County Jail.
Certain information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with 16 M.R.S.A. § 709, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Medical information
- Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
- Victim identifying information in certain cases
- Juvenile records (unless specifically authorized by court order)
The completeness of arrest records may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and whether the case remains active or has been adjudicated.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Houlton
Maine law provides limited mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by 16 M.R.S.A. § 703 and related statutes.
Individuals seeking expungement of Houlton arrest records must understand the following key provisions:
Eligibility Criteria: Under Maine law, complete expungement of adult arrest records is generally not available. However, individuals may petition for sealing of records in cases where:
- Charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- The arrest was made without probable cause
- The case involved identity theft or mistaken identity
- The arrest pertained to certain minor marijuana possession offenses now decriminalized
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to 15 M.R.S.A. § 3308, juvenile records may be sealed if:
- Three years have passed since the juvenile was discharged from the disposition
- No subsequent juvenile or adult criminal proceedings are pending
- The juvenile has not been adjudicated of a juvenile offense during the three-year period
- No proceeding seeking a criminal conviction or juvenile adjudication is pending
Application Process: Petitions for sealing or limiting access to records must be filed with the District Court that handled the original case. The petition must include:
- Certified copies of the relevant court documents
- Affidavit explaining the grounds for expungement
- Filing fee of $100 (which may be waived for indigent applicants)
Administrative Remedy: For cases of demonstrable factual error, individuals may also request amendment of records through the Maine Criminal Justice Information System at 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04333.
The Maine State Police, Bureau of Identification (207-624-7240) serves as the central repository for criminal history record information and can provide guidance on the specific procedures for requesting review of record accuracy.
Individuals should note that even when records are sealed, they may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in certain licensing, employment, and security clearance contexts as permitted under 16 M.R.S.A. § 709.
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