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Portland Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Portland, Maine?

Arrest records are public documents in Portland, Maine, pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), 1 M.R.S. §§ 400-414. This legislation establishes the public's right to access governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The FOAA operates under the principle that government transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and enabling citizen oversight of governmental functions.

The Portland Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records become available to the public after processing, typically within 24-48 hours following an arrest. Members of the public seeking access to these records may submit requests in accordance with established procedures outlined by the Maine Public Access Ombudsman.

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, compromise an ongoing investigation, or reveal confidential informant identities as specified under 16 M.R.S. § 804. Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Maine law.

How to Look Up Portland Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Portland, Maine. The following methods are available for individuals conducting background checks, researching legal history, or fulfilling other legitimate information needs:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Portland Police Department Records Division located at 109 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requesters must complete a public records request form and present valid government-issued identification.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to: Records Division, Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street, Portland, ME 04101. Requests must include the requester's full name, contact information, specific information sought, and applicable processing fees.
Online Portal Access: The Maine Judicial Branch provides electronic access to certain court records through its online portal. Users must register for an account and may incur nominal fees for document retrieval.
Cumberland County Sheriff's Office: Additional arrest record information may be obtained from the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office located at 36 County Way, Portland, ME 04102. Telephone: (207) 774-1444.

Pursuant to 1 M.R.S. § 408-A, agencies must respond to record requests within 5 working days. Reasonable fees may be assessed for search, retrieval, and copying services as authorized by statute. Current fee schedules are $15.00 per hour after the first hour for search and retrieval, with copy fees set at $0.25 per page.

Contents of a Portland Arrest Record

Portland arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Maine Criminal Justice Information System protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and any documented aliases or previous names.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Complete enumeration of all charges filed, including the specific Maine statute violations cited and their classification as misdemeanors or felonies.
Booking Information: Processing location, booking number, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during processing.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including bail or bond amounts if applicable, court appearance dates, and preliminary hearing schedules.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions that may be relevant to the current case, subject to disclosure limitations under Maine law.

The Portland Police Department maintains these records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Maine State Archives under 5 M.R.S. § 95-C. Standard retention periods for adult arrest records extend to 10 years following case disposition, while records pertaining to certain serious offenses may be retained permanently.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Portland

The State of Maine provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in 16 M.R.S. § 703. Expungement constitutes the complete removal of arrest information from publicly accessible records, effectively restoring the individual's privacy interests regarding the specific incident.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Portland include:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of all charges
Arrests not resulting in formal charges within the statutory timeframe
Successful completion of deferred disposition agreements pursuant to 17-A M.R.S. § 1902
Certain juvenile offenses eligible under 15 M.R.S. § 3308

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal applications with the Maine State Bureau of Identification, located at 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04333. Telephone: (207) 624-7240. The application must include certified court documentation verifying case disposition, proper identification of the petitioner, and payment of applicable processing fees.

The reviewing authority evaluates expungement petitions based on statutory eligibility, the nature and severity of the original offense, time elapsed since the arrest, and the petitioner's subsequent criminal history. Successful expungement results in the physical destruction or segregation of all records pertaining to the arrest from public access systems.

It should be noted that certain governmental agencies, including law enforcement and judicial authorities, may retain limited access to expunged records for specific administrative purposes as authorized by statute. Additionally, certain offenses, particularly those involving domestic violence, sexual crimes, or serious felonies, may be statutorily ineligible for expungement regardless of case disposition.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Use

Maine law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest record information may be utilized, particularly in employment contexts. Pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 4572, employers are prohibited from inquiring about arrests that did not result in conviction during initial employment application processes. This "ban-the-box" provision aims to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with arrest histories.

The Community Safety Division of Portland oversees compliance with these regulations and provides guidance to both employers and job seekers regarding proper handling of criminal history information. Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties and remedial actions through the Maine Human Rights Commission.

Additional protections exist under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), which requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain procedures ensuring the accuracy of criminal history information and mandates disclosure to individuals when adverse actions are taken based on such reports.

Portland's Safe Blocks program works with community organizations to develop reintegration pathways for individuals with arrest histories, focusing on education, employment, and housing opportunities that reduce recidivism and promote public safety through rehabilitation rather than perpetual stigmatization.