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Kennebunkport Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kennebunkport, Maine?

Arrest records are public documents in Kennebunkport, Maine, pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public to promote transparency in governmental operations. The FOAA specifically designates arrest records as public information, allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their community.

The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes:

Ensures accountability of law enforcement agencies
Provides community awareness of criminal activity
Supports journalistic reporting on public safety matters
Enables background checks for employment and housing purposes
Facilitates research on criminal justice trends

Exceptions to public disclosure may apply in certain circumstances, such as ongoing investigations or cases involving juveniles, as outlined in § 402(3) of the FOAA. In such instances, portions of records may be redacted or temporarily withheld in accordance with statutory provisions.

How to Look Up Kennebunkport Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Kennebunkport arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Kennebunkport Police Department maintains these records and provides multiple access methods:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may visit the Kennebunkport Police Department to submit records requests during regular business hours. Staff will assist with completing the necessary request forms and identifying specific records.

Kennebunkport Police Department
101 Main Street
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Phone: (207) 967-2454
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division at the address listed above. Pursuant to § 408-A of the FOAA, requests should include:

Requestor's full name and contact information
Specific information being sought (date of arrest, name of arrested individual)
Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
Signature and date

Online Access

The Town of Kennebunkport provides limited online access to certain public records through its municipal website. For comprehensive arrest record searches, individuals may need to utilize the Maine State Police online portal, which aggregates records from local jurisdictions throughout the state.

Records Request Fees

Pursuant to § 408-A(8) of the FOAA, reasonable fees may be assessed for the search, retrieval, and copying of records:

$0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
$15.00 per hour for staff time after the first hour (first hour is free)
Additional fees may apply for specialized formats or certified copies

Payment must be remitted before records will be released, as specified in the Kennebunkport municipal code.

Contents of a Kennebunkport Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Kennebunkport Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Maine state law. These records typically include:

Arrestee Information

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address (may be partially redacted in public copies)
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory charges filed, with reference to Maine Criminal Code sections
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Incident report number for cross-reference
Booking facility information
Bail amount, if applicable

Case Disposition

Court docket number
Arraignment date
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Final disposition (if case has concluded)
Sentencing information, when applicable

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with § 402(3) of the FOAA, including social security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kennebunkport

The State of Maine provides legal mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. This process is governed by Title 15, Chapter 310 of the Maine Revised Statutes.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may petition for expungement of Kennebunkport arrest records if they meet the following criteria:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal
The conviction was subsequently pardoned
The conviction was for a Class E misdemeanor that occurred more than 5 years ago with no subsequent criminal activity
The record pertains to juvenile offenses that meet specific statutory requirements

Certain serious offenses, including violent crimes and sexual offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement regardless of time elapsed.

Application Process

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the York County District Court that has jurisdiction over Kennebunkport. The petition must include:

Certified copies of the arrest record
Court documentation showing case disposition
Affidavit attesting to eligibility requirements
Filing fee of $100 (may be waived for indigent applicants)

York County District Court
45 Kennebunk Road
Alfred, ME 04002
Phone: (207) 459-7860
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Maine Judicial Branch

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an expungement is granted by judicial order, the following occurs:

Physical records are sealed or destroyed by the custodial agency
Digital records are removed from publicly accessible databases
The arrest is deemed not to have occurred for most purposes
The individual may legally state they have not been arrested in response to inquiries

Certain governmental agencies, including law enforcement and licensing boards, may retain limited access to expunged records for specific statutory purposes as outlined in § 2167 of Title 15.

Legal Restrictions on Using Arrest Records

Maine law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be utilized, particularly in employment contexts. These restrictions are codified in Title 5, Chapter 337 of the Maine Revised Statutes.

Employment Discrimination Protections

Employers in Kennebunkport are prohibited from:

Requesting information about arrests that did not result in conviction
Making adverse employment decisions based solely on arrest records without conviction
Using expunged or sealed records for any purpose
Failing to comply with "Ban the Box" provisions that restrict when criminal history inquiries may be made

Exceptions exist for certain sensitive positions, including law enforcement, childcare, and financial institutions, which are governed by separate statutory frameworks.

Housing and Public Accommodations

Similar protections extend to housing and public accommodations, where providers may not:

Categorically deny housing based on arrest records
Impose different terms or conditions based on arrest history
Advertise preferences related to criminal history that would violate fair housing laws

The York County District Attorney's Office provides guidance to local businesses regarding compliance with these provisions.

York County District Attorney's Office
45 Kennebunk Road
Alfred, ME 04002
Phone: (207) 459-7175
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Private Background Checks

Commercial background check companies operating in Maine must comply with both the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and Maine's Fair Credit Reporting Act (Title 10, Chapter 209-B). These laws require:

Verification of arrest record information before reporting
Exclusion of non-conviction data older than seven years
Notification to consumers when adverse actions are taken
Procedures for disputing inaccurate information

Violations of these provisions may result in civil penalties and private rights of action for affected individuals.