>Penobscot County Arrest Records Online

Penobscot County, Maine Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Penobscot County, Maine?

Arrest records are public documents in Penobscot County, Maine, pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), 1 M.R.S. §§ 400-414. This legislation establishes that governmental records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public. The FOAA serves to maintain transparency in governmental operations, particularly within the criminal justice system, thereby promoting accountability of law enforcement agencies and ensuring public safety through informed citizenry.

The Maine State Bureau of Identification, operating under the Department of Public Safety, maintains the central repository of arrest records for all counties, including Penobscot. These records document instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement officials on suspicion of criminal activity. Pursuant to Maine law, these records remain public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected under statutory exemptions.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records in Penobscot County should be aware that while the records are public, certain information contained therein may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by § 402(3) of the FOAA, which outlines specific exemptions from public disclosure.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Penobscot County?

Arrest records for Penobscot County are available through various online platforms, both governmental and non-governmental. The Maine eCourts system provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests processed through the Penobscot County Superior Court and Bangor District Court. Access to these electronic court records is governed by the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems.

The Maine Criminal History Record & Juvenile Crime Information Request portal offers electronic access to criminal history records maintained by the Maine State Police. This resource allows authorized users to request and receive criminal history information, including arrest data, for individuals processed through the Maine criminal justice system.

Additionally, the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted by county law enforcement personnel. While not all records may be available online, the Sheriff's Office provides information regarding recent arrests and inmate populations at the Penobscot County Jail.

It should be noted that pursuant to 16 M.R.S. § 703, certain limitations exist regarding the dissemination of criminal history record information, particularly for cases that did not result in conviction or were subsequently expunged or sealed by court order.

How to Look Up Penobscot County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to access Penobscot County arrest records have multiple official channels available. The following procedures are established for obtaining such information:

Visit the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office in person: Penobscot County Sheriff's Office 85 Hammond Street Bangor, ME 04401 (207) 947-4585 Official Website

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Contact the Maine State Bureau of Identification: Maine State Bureau of Identification 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1 Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 624-7240 Official Website
Access the Penobscot County Superior Court records: Penobscot County Superior Court 78 Exchange Street Bangor, ME 04401 (207) 561-2300

Court hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Utilize the Maine State Archives for historical arrest records: Maine State Archives 230 State Street Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 287-5790 Email: Maine.archives@maine.gov

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the inquiry, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to 16 M.R.S. § 705, fees may apply for record searches and copies, with current rates established at $31.00 for a name-based criminal history record check.

Contents of a Penobscot County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Penobscot County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and processing of individuals taken into custody. Pursuant to Maine Criminal Justice Information Act, 16 M.R.S. §§ 701-710, these records generally include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Identity of the arresting agency and the name of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") and fingerprint impressions
Custody status information, including bail or bond determinations
Case disposition information, if available
Identification numbers assigned by law enforcement agencies

The Maine Background Check Center utilizes information from these arrest records when conducting background screenings for certain employment positions. Criminal history record checks must be completed every 5 years for direct access workers pursuant to state regulations.

It should be noted that arrest records document allegations of criminal activity and do not constitute proof of guilt. Pursuant to constitutional principles, all arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Penobscot County

Under Maine law, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement or sealing under specific circumstances. The process for expungement in Penobscot County is governed by state statutes that establish criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access.

Pursuant to 16 M.R.S. § 703(2), criminal history record information pertaining to proceedings that did not result in conviction may be subject to special dissemination restrictions. Additionally, 15 M.R.S. § 2251-2259 provides for the sealing of certain juvenile records, while 15 M.R.S. § 2167 addresses the possibility of expungement for certain drug possession offenses.

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the court that originally handled their case. The Maine Judicial Branch provides standardized forms for this purpose. Petitioners must typically demonstrate that:

All court-ordered requirements have been satisfied
A statutorily-defined waiting period has elapsed
The expungement serves the interests of justice and public safety

The court may schedule a hearing on the petition, during which the District Attorney's Office may present arguments regarding the request. Judicial determination on expungement petitions is made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.

Individuals considering expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal considerations. The court may require documentation of rehabilitation efforts and evidence that the petitioner has maintained a law-abiding lifestyle since the arrest in question.

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