Monmouth Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Monmouth, Maine?
Arrest records are public documents in Monmouth, Maine, pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes. This legislation establishes that records created and maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, are generally accessible to the public. The FOAA operates under the principle that government transparency serves the public interest and promotes accountability in the criminal justice system.
The public status of arrest records is subject to certain statutory limitations. Under Maine law, specific information may be redacted or withheld if:
- The release would interfere with an active law enforcement investigation
- The information contains confidential intelligence or investigative information as defined in 16 M.R.S. § 804
- The record contains information about juvenile offenders (governed by 15 M.R.S. § 3308)
- The disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under 1 M.R.S. § 402(3)(A)
Members of the public seeking arrest records should note that while the information is legally accessible, certain procedural requirements must be followed, and reasonable fees may be assessed for search, retrieval, and copying services.
How to Look Up Monmouth Arrest Records in 2025
Monmouth residents and interested parties may access arrest records through several official channels as of 2025. The Town of Monmouth maintains multiple access points for public records in compliance with state transparency laws.
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Monmouth Police Department
26 Academy Road
Monmouth, ME 04259
Phone: (207) 933-9089
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
When requesting records in person, requestors should:
- Complete the designated public records request form
- Provide specific information about the record being sought (name, date of arrest, case number if known)
- Present valid identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees as established by 1 M.R.S. § 408-A
Alternative methods for obtaining arrest records include:
- Submitting written requests via certified mail to the Monmouth Police Department
- Utilizing public access terminals at the Monmouth Town Office (located at 918 Main Street, Monmouth, ME 04259)
- Accessing limited information through the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system for individuals who were transferred to county custody
Pursuant to Maine law, the custodian of records must acknowledge receipt of a request within five working days and provide a good faith estimate of when the records will be available.
Contents of a Monmouth Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Monmouth Police Department contain standardized information as required by Maine Criminal Justice Information System protocols. These records typically include comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest.
Standard elements of a Monmouth arrest record include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Identification numbers (state ID, driver's license)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including Maine Revised Statutes citations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Circumstances leading to the arrest
- Whether force was used during apprehension
Processing information:
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken from front and profile views
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance date and bail determination
Case disposition:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number assigned by the judicial system
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Transfer to county or state facilities, if applicable
The level of detail contained in arrest records serves multiple administrative and law enforcement purposes while providing public accountability through transparency. Records are maintained in accordance with the Maine Criminal History Record Information Act, 16 M.R.S. §§ 701-710.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Monmouth
The State of Maine provides legal mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. These procedures are governed by 16 M.R.S. § 703 and related statutes, which establish criteria and processes for limiting public access to arrest information.
Eligibility for expungement in Monmouth is determined by several factors:
- Cases resulting in no charges being filed may be eligible for expungement 12 months after the date of arrest
- Arrests resulting in dismissal of all charges may qualify for expungement after specified waiting periods
- Certain non-violent misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after completion of all sentencing requirements and a clean record for 3-7 years, depending on the offense
- Juvenile records have separate expungement provisions under 15 M.R.S. § 3308
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a formal petition with the District Court having jurisdiction over the case
- Provide certified documentation of case disposition
- Submit to a criminal background check to verify eligibility
- Attend a hearing where a judge will determine if expungement serves the public interest
If granted, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining the records, including the Monmouth Police Department, Maine State Bureau of Identification, and any other repositories of the information. These agencies must then remove the records from public access or seal them as directed by the court order.
It should be noted that certain records, particularly those involving domestic violence, sexual offenses, or crimes against minors, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under Maine law. Additionally, even expunged records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and the court system for specific authorized purposes.
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