Gorham Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Gorham, Maine?
Arrest records in Gorham, Maine are classified as public documents pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes. The FOAA establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public to ensure transparency in governmental operations. Under this statute, arrest records maintained by the Gorham Police Department and Cumberland County law enforcement agencies are available for public inspection and reproduction unless specifically exempted by statute or sealed by judicial order.
The Maine Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), found in Title 16, Chapter 7 of the Maine Revised Statutes, further delineates the parameters of public access to criminal justice information. According to § 703, conviction data is expressly designated as public information. This includes data that discloses that a person was convicted of a crime, the sentence imposed, and subsequent proceedings related to the sentence. Non-conviction data, including arrests not resulting in conviction, may be subject to certain access restrictions as outlined in § 705.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Gorham should be aware that while these records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as mandated by state and federal laws. Such protected information may include social security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to juveniles.
How to Look Up Gorham Arrest Records in 2025
The Town of Gorham provides multiple avenues through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:
In-Person Requests at the Gorham Police Department: Citizens may submit requests for arrest records directly at the department headquarters. Staff will assist in locating and providing available public records.
Gorham Police Department
270 Main Street
Gorham, ME 04038
(207) 839-5581
Gorham Police Department Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMCumberland County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within its jurisdiction, including those in Gorham.
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
36 County Way
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 774-1444
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PMMaine State Bureau of Identification: For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrest data, the State Bureau of Identification serves as the central repository.
Maine State Bureau of Identification
45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-7240
Maine State Bureau of Identification Official Website
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMOnline Access Through Municipal Portal: The Town of Gorham maintains an online portal where certain public records, including police logs and arrest information, may be accessed electronically in accordance with municipal regulations.
Pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 408-A, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and copying of public records. The first hour of staff time per request is provided without charge, with subsequent time billed at the hourly rate of the lowest paid employee qualified to perform the task.
Contents of a Gorham Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Gorham Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Cumberland County typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Maine Revised Statutes Title 16, § 708:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and last known address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Maine Criminal Code references and classification of offenses (e.g., Class A, B, C, D, or E crimes).
Case Processing Information: Court docket number, arraignment date, bail amount (if applicable), and preliminary hearing schedules.
Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, eye color, hair color, and distinguishing physical characteristics such as tattoos or scars.
Booking Documentation: Fingerprint records and booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during the intake process.
Custody Status: Information regarding whether the individual was released on bail, personal recognizance, or remanded to the Cumberland County Jail.
It should be noted that pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Title 16, § 709, certain information may be designated as confidential and therefore redacted from public arrest records. This includes, but is not limited to, intelligence and investigative information that would compromise law enforcement proceedings if disclosed, information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, and confidential informant identities.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Gorham
The State of Maine provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records. Expungement refers to the legal process whereby arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The authority for expungement proceedings is derived from Maine Revised Statutes Title 15, Chapter 310.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Gorham and throughout Maine include:
Dismissal or Acquittal: Pursuant to Title 15, § 2251, individuals whose charges were dismissed or who were acquitted may petition for expungement after a waiting period of one year from the date of dismissal or acquittal.
Juvenile Records: Under Title 15, § 3308, juvenile arrest records may be sealed when the juvenile reaches 18 years of age, provided there have been no subsequent adjudications or pending proceedings.
Certain Drug Offenses: In accordance with Title 22, § 2383-B, individuals convicted of possession of a usable amount of marijuana (prior to legalization) or drug paraphernalia may be eligible for expungement after a specified waiting period.
Victims of Human Trafficking: Per Title 15, § 2259, persons who committed crimes while being trafficked may petition for expungement of those records.
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the court that had original jurisdiction over the case. The petition must include:
- Certified copies of the arrest record
- Evidence of eligibility under the applicable statute
- A sworn affidavit attesting to the facts supporting expungement
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that the statutory requirements for expungement have been satisfied. The prosecuting attorney and any victims have the right to be notified and to participate in the hearing.
If the court grants the expungement petition, an order will be issued directing all governmental agencies in possession of records pertaining to the arrest to seal or destroy such records. Following expungement, the individual may legally respond to inquiries regarding the expunged arrest as if the arrest had never occurred, with certain exceptions for law enforcement and judicial purposes.
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