Fairfield County Arrest Records

In Fairfield County, local police departments are responsible for arresting persons suspected of committing crimes. Arrests may be made based on probable cause or under the authority of a court-issued warrant. After an arrest and detention, the police department generates arrest records that document the details of the arrest. Members of the public can access these records by contacting the relevant local police department or by obtaining official documents from other government agencies. For instance, they may find arrest records in Fairfield County court records and criminal records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Fairfield County?

Yes, arrest records are accessible to members of the public in Fairfield County. Per the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, anyone may inspect and obtain copies of arrest records from the relevant agency having custody of such records. However, not all arrest records are available for public viewing in Fairfield County. Some records may be restricted in order to protect the privacy of concerned parties or to prevent compromise of ongoing investigations.

Examples of arrest records that are protected from public access in Fairfield County include:

• Juvenile records
• Sealed or expunged records
• Records relating to the personal information of victims
• Arrest records concerning ongoing investigations
• Personal information relating to witnesses
• Sensitive or confidential information such as mental health and medical conditions.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Fairfield County, public arrest records usually contain the following information:

• Full name, age, gender, race, and address of the arrestee
• Booking number and date
• Charges
• Arresting agency
• Bail amount and bond condition
• Mugshots of the arrestee

Fairfield County Crime Rate

Based on the Annual Crime Report published by the Connecticut Crimes Analysis Unit, Fairfield County recorded a total of 25,657 crimes in 2022 for crimes against persons and property.

Fairfield County Arrest Statistics

The Connecticut Department of Corrections maintains a record of inmate population at the state level. The record shows that the Bridgeport Correctional Center, located in Fairfield County, housed a total of 639 inmates as of January 2024.

Find Fairfield County Arrest Records

In Fairfield County, inmate records form part of arrest records and contain information about persons who are incarcerated in any correctional facility. These records are maintained by state and federal agencies and are accessible to members of the public.

At the state level, inmate records are available through the Connecticut Department of Correction. Interested residents can access these records on the Department of Correction Inmate Information Search Portal and entering the inmate’s number, name, and date of birth. In addition, interested persons may also access inmate records at the federal prisons. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is the official custodian of all inmate records at the federal level. The Bureau maintains an online Inmate Search Locator that enables record seekers to search for inmates using their names or registration numbers.

Free Arrest Record Search in Fairfield County

Fairfield County arrest records can be accessed for free via official government websites such as the Connecticut Department of Corrections Portal and BOP Inmate Search Locator. Alternatively, arrest records are available for free on third-party websites. These sites contain different kinds of Fairfield County public records. However, information found on third-party websites may not be as accurate or up-to-date as that found on government websites.

Get Fairfield County Criminal Records

Fairfield County criminal records are official documents containing information about a person’s criminal history. Contents of these records include information on arrests, charges, convictions, incarcerations, probations, and paroles.

The Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI) maintains and grants access to statewide criminal records. Fairfield County residents can request criminal history records by mailing a completed Criminal History Request Form, including a check or money order of applicable fees to:

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457

Applicants who require a fingerprinted criminal history must book an appointment and complete the fingerprinting process at the Fingerprint Identification Unit. When appearing for the appointment, come with the following documents:

• The appointment booklet
• Applicable fees (check, money order, or cash)
• Valid government-issued photo ID

Fairfield County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While arrest records and criminal records relate to crime data, there are some differences between both records in Fairfield County. Arrest records contain information about the arrest of a person suspected to have committed an offense and may not necessarily lead to criminal charges. Since it is the initial record in a person’s criminal history, an arrest record does not contain the final outcome of the case. On the other hand, criminal records detail the criminal conviction and sentencing of a person and, therefore, include the final outcome of the case.

Arrest records typically contain the arrestee’s personal information, arrest charges, booking details, bond, date, time, and location of arrest. However, criminal records provide information about the offense committed, conviction date, sentence, disposition, and other relevant court information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Fairfield County, arrest records usually remain on a person’s record permanently. However, these records may be erased automatically in some circumstances. A person’s arrest record qualifies for automatic erasure in Fairfield County if:

• The person was found ‘not guilty’ of a crime
• The case was dismissed
• The charges against the person were dropped, and at least 13 months have passed
• The case was put on hold at least 13 months ago, and there has been no prosecution of the case.

Automatic erasure also applies to arrests that result in conviction for misdemeanors, DUIs, or Class D, Class E, and unclassified felonies. However, 7 years must have passed if it is a misdemeanor, while ten years must have passed for felony and DUI convictions.

Expunge Fairfield County Arrest Records

Expunging an arrest record in Fairfield County means removing the record from public repositories. As a result, the arrest ceases to reflect on a person’s criminal record. To expunge an arrest record in Fairfield County, the record subject must apply for an absolute pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles. This pardon is available to anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony after waiting for three and five years, respectively. Persons on probation or parole are not eligible for an expungement pardon. Also, anyone with pending charges or open cases in any court cannot apply for expungement. Eligible persons may apply for an expungement pardon by taking the following steps:

• Open the ePardon portal and create an account
• Gather and submit the following documents:

1. State police criminal history report
2. Notarized background investigation authorization
3. Three reference questionnaires (only one from a family member)
4. Police report(s) for any arrest that occurred within the last ten years and resulted in a conviction
5. Letter from adult probation for any period of probation supervision
6. Copy of valid driver’s license or state ID
7. Proof of income

• Submit any required additional documents in the application, such as certificates, resumes, and evaluations.
• Applicants deemed eligible will be contacted for a phone interview.

Fairfield County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are documents issued by the court authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest and detain a person suspected to have committed an offense. In Fairfield County, the court will only issue an arrest warrant if the law enforcement agency shows that there is probable cause for a person’s arrest.

Fairfield County arrest warrants usually contain the following information:

• Name, address, and description of the arrestee
• Charges
• Date of issuance of the warrant
• Signature of the judge
• Warrant number
• Bond
• Specific instructions to arresting agencies

Fairfield County Arrest Warrant Search

Fairfield County municipal police departments provide public access to active arrest warrants in the county. Interested persons may access these warrants online through the Judicial Branch Portal or by visiting the relevant agency in person to request access to arrest warrants.

Do Fairfield County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Fairfield County, arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active until the concerned person is arrested or the warrant is recalled or quashed by the court. In other words, a person named in a warrant can be arrested at any time, regardless of when the warrant was issued.