Arrest records in Kennebec County, Maine are public documents pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, Chapter 13, §§ 401-414. This legislation establishes that government-held records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public with certain statutory exceptions. The FOAA serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by enabling citizens to access information related to law enforcement activities and arrests conducted within the county jurisdiction.
The Maine State Bureau of Identification, operating under the Department of Public Safety, maintains the central repository for criminal history record information, including arrest data from Kennebec County. Pursuant to 16 M.R.S. § 703, these records are designated as public criminal history information when they concern adult individuals and include:
Members of the public should note that certain arrest information may be subject to confidentiality provisions under 16 M.R.S. § 705, particularly in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Kennebec County arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with Maine's public records statutes. The Maine Criminal History Record & Juvenile Crime Information Request system provides electronic access to criminal history information maintained by the Maine State Police. This system allows authorized users to conduct name-based searches of public criminal history records, including arrests that occurred in Kennebec County.
Additionally, the Maine Judicial Branch has implemented an electronic court records system that provides limited online access to court cases, including those stemming from arrests. The Accessing Electronic Court Records portal allows public users to view certain case information, though complete criminal case records from Kennebec County may require in-person inspection at the courthouse.
The Maine Adult Resident/Adult Community Corrections Client Search database provides information about individuals currently in custody or under supervision, including those arrested in Kennebec County who have been subsequently incarcerated or placed on probation.
Pursuant to 16 M.R.S. § 707, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public criminal history information. Online access fees typically range from $10-$31 per record, depending on the requesting entity and purpose of the request.
Members of the public seeking Kennebec County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:
Kennebec County Sheriff's Office
125 State Street
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 623-3614
Kennebec County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Kennebec County Superior Court
1 Court Street, Suite 101
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 213-2800
Kennebec Court Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Maine State Bureau of Identification
45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-7240
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to 16 M.R.S. § 707, requestors must provide proper identification when seeking arrest records. Fees for record searches are established by statute and may vary based on the type of request and requesting entity. Standard processing times range from 3-10 business days, though expedited service may be available for an additional fee.
Kennebec County arrest records, maintained in accordance with 25 M.R.S. § 1541, typically contain the following standardized information:
In accordance with 16 M.R.S. § 705, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:
The Maine Criminal Justice Information System (MCJIS) standardizes the format and content of arrest records across all jurisdictions within the state, including Kennebec County, to ensure consistency and accuracy in record-keeping practices.
Under Maine law, specifically 15 M.R.S. § 2251-2259, certain arrest records in Kennebec County may be eligible for expungement or sealing. The process of expungement removes an arrest from an individual's public record, effectively treating the event as if it never occurred for most purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Kennebec County include:
The expungement process requires petitioners to file a formal application with the Kennebec County Superior Court. Pursuant to court rules, the petition must include:
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that they meet the statutory requirements for expungement. The prosecuting attorney's office and arresting agency will receive notice and may contest the petition.
If granted, an expungement order directs all criminal justice agencies to seal or destroy records of the arrest. However, pursuant to 15 M.R.S. § 2254, certain governmental entities may retain access to expunged records for limited purposes, including law enforcement investigations and judicial proceedings.