>Franklin County Arrest Records Online

Franklin County, Maine Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County, Maine?

Arrest records in Franklin County, Maine are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, Chapter 13, §§ 401-414. This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or kept by any agency of government are presumptively public. The FOAA specifically includes law enforcement agencies and their records within its scope, with certain statutory exceptions for ongoing investigations, confidential informants, and juvenile matters.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may obtain them through various governmental agencies in Franklin County. The Maine Legislature has determined that public access to these records serves the important governmental functions of transparency, accountability, and public safety. The statute specifically states that public records "shall be made available for public inspection and copying during reasonable office hours."

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Maine Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 3, Subchapter 8, which protects confidential criminal history record information. Information that might compromise ongoing investigations or reveal the identity of confidential informants is typically withheld from public disclosure.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Franklin County?

Franklin County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Franklin County Detention Center maintains a digital database of current inmates and recent bookings that is accessible to the public via the internet. This resource is updated regularly to reflect current detention status.

The Maine eCourts system provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings in Franklin County. Pursuant to Administrative Order JB-05-20, the Maine Judicial Branch has implemented this system to enhance public access while maintaining appropriate privacy protections.

Online access to these records is subject to the provisions of the Criminal History Record Information Act (Title 16, Chapter 3, Subchapter 8), which governs the dissemination of criminal justice information. The Act distinguishes between public criminal history record information, which is freely accessible, and confidential criminal history record information, which is restricted.

Users should be aware that online records may not be comprehensive, as certain historical records may not have been digitized. Additionally, records subject to court-ordered sealing or expungement will not appear in online databases.

How to Look Up Franklin County Arrest Records in 2025

Franklin County provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following resources:

Franklin County Sheriff's Office
123 County Way
Farmington, ME 04938
(207) 778-2680
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all arrests conducted by county deputies and can provide copies upon request pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 408-A.
Franklin County Detention Center
125 County Way
Farmington, ME 04938
(207) 778-2680
Franklin County Detention Center
Hours: 24 hours daily for booking information
The Detention Center maintains booking logs and inmate records that are available for public inspection.
Franklin County Superior Court
140 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Mailing: 129 Main Street, Suite 1, Farmington, ME 04938
(207) 778-8200
Franklin County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained here.
Maine State Bureau of Identification
45 Commerce Drive
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-7240
Maine Criminal History Record Request
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Bureau maintains comprehensive criminal history records for the entire state.

Requests for arrest records must comply with the procedures outlined in Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, § 408-A, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and copying of public records. Agencies must acknowledge receipt of requests within 5 working days and provide an estimate of the time required to fulfill the request.

Contents of a Franklin County Arrest Record

Franklin County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Maine Revised Statutes Title 25, Chapter 341. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, with reference to the applicable Maine Revised Statutes
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Farmington Police Department)
Booking information, including fingerprints and booking photographs
Property inventory taken at the time of booking
Initial bail determination, if applicable
Case number assigned by the arresting agency
Detention status (released on bail, held pending arraignment, etc.)

Pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Title 16, § 703, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

Social Security Numbers
Home addresses and telephone numbers
Names of victims in certain offenses
Information related to juvenile offenders (governed by Title 15, Chapter 507)
Medical or mental health information
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations

The completeness of arrest records may vary depending on the stage of the criminal justice process and the agency maintaining the records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Franklin County

Under Maine law, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement or sealing under specific circumstances. The process is governed by Maine Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 3, Subchapter 8, which provides limited pathways for the removal of arrest information from public access.

Maine law permits the sealing of records in the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal (Title 16, § 703)
Cases dismissed by the prosecutor or court (Title 16, § 703)
Arrests not resulting in prosecution after the statute of limitations has expired
Certain juvenile records (Title 15, § 3308)
Records of convictions for certain marijuana possession offenses that would not be crimes under current law

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Franklin County Superior Court. The petition must include:

Complete identification information
Details of the arrest and subsequent proceedings
Grounds for expungement under applicable statutes
Certified copies of relevant court documents

The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility under the relevant statutory provisions. The District Attorney's Office will have the opportunity to object to the petition. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or expunge the records as permitted by law.

It should be noted that Maine law provides more limited expungement options than many other states. Most criminal convictions remain part of the permanent public record, even after sentences have been completed.