New London County Arrest Records

An arrest record is a document generated by law enforcement that shows information on an individual's apprehension and detention for criminal activity. Whether charged or not, everyone ever arrested in the state has an arrest record. This record may include the individual's personal information, the date and time of the arrest, charges against the individual, and other information on the arrest.

A person arrested in New London County is typically held and processed in the New London City Jail. The individual's personal information, criminal history, fingerprints, and other arrest details will be taken during detention. Anyone who cannot post a bond for release may have to wait for an available court date and remain in jail.

The New London Police Department holds and maintains records of all arrests made within the county and its jurisdictions. While local judicial offices often keep records of recent arrests, they may also be found in certain public files, like New London County Court Records or criminal records from the state of Connecticut Judicial Branch.

Are Arrest Records Public in New London County?

Yes. Arrest records are public in New London County. Under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, interested persons can request to look at or obtain copies of these records from the New London County Police Department or other law enforcement in the county (section 1-210).

However, the state may restrict public access to certain arrest records or information under sections 1-215 of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. These may include arrest records that reveal the identity of the witnesses and identifying information of any victim of crime. There are also restrictions to a juvenile record or investigative file of a law enforcement agency gathered in connection with the investigation of a crime resulting in an arrest. Moreover, erased or sealed arrest records are very much inaccessible to the public.

To access exempted arrest records in New London County, a person must submit a written request for nondisclosure. Individuals may request non-exempt records from the law enforcement agency in charge. However, the requester must be the record subject or an authorized person. Any law enforcement agency receiving a request for an arrest record must provide a copy of the request to the office of the state's attorney for the appropriate Judicial District where the arrest happened (section 1-217).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A New London arrest record typically contains the following information:

• Personal details of the individual arrested (such as name, date of birth, and address)
• Date and location of the arrest
• Charges filed
• Alleged crime
• Arresting agency
• Bond or bail information
• Details of the events leading to or surrounding the arrest.

New London County Crime Rate

In 2018, the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice (CT DCJ), New London Judicial District crime rate varied across the 21-town region. While New London, Norwich, and Groton were close to 40% of the District's residents, 76% of the jurisdiction's violent crime and 60% of its property crime occurred there. The New London police department reported a total of 385 violent crimes (14.2) and 2,593 property crimes (95.4).

According to 2019 FBI UCR crime data from local law enforcement agencies in New London County, there were 79 violent crimes and 461 property crimes. Out of the violent crimes, robbery (32) was prevalent before aggravated assault (28) and rape (19). Out of the property crimes, larceny-theft (329) was prevalent before burglary (90), motor vehicle theft (42), and arson (4).

New London County Arrest Statistics

According to Judicial Branch data in 2019, the New London police departments made 5,550 criminal arrests and 4,435 motor vehicle arrests in the 21-town region. The drop in arrests in 2020 reflected the impact of the Covid pandemic. In terms of criminal arrests, the Norwich and New London police were the most active law enforcement agencies in the District. The two departments recorded 43% of all criminal arrests in 2019.

Find New London County Arrest Records

The Connecticut State Department of Correction provides an offender information search tool that allows individuals to find inmates across the state. The user must provide information such as the CT DOC inmate number, the inmate's first and last name, and date of birth. The department often updates information on the site to ensure that the database provides accurate information. In other words, the available information on the site may change rapidly and may not reflect the current status of the offender.

To find inmate information offline, the requester must contact the CT DOC during business hours in person, via phone or mail:

Department of Correction
24 Wolcott Hill Road
Wethersfield CT 06109
Phone: (860) 692-7480
Fax: (860) 692-7783
Email: DOC.PIO@ct.gov.

The cost to obtain arrest records in person is between 25 cents and 50 cents per page. To get certified copies cost $1 for the first page and 50 cents for each additional certified page. The New London Police Department, through the New London City Jail, maintains a jail roster or detention list to monitor individuals currently in detention. The roster provides vital information about each inmate, including their name, booking photo, charges, and booking date. To find an inmate in the New London City Jail, visit the official website that offers a tool for quick inmate searches in the county.

Individuals may obtain certain information in person through the jail's administrative office. Note that the requester may have to provide a valid identification and reason for requesting the information.

New London Police Department
New London City Hall
181 State Street
New London, CT 06320
Phone: (860) 447-5200

Free Arrest Record Search in New London County

Individuals may obtain free New London County arrest records by submitting a freedom of information record request to the New London County police department. This law enforcement agency creates and maintains arrest records for the offenders they arrest. The online database requires requesters to create an account using an email address and password. Upon request, interested individuals can obtain information like the arrestee's full name, booking number, date of arrest, charges, and the current state of the case, provided they are accessible to the public.

Alternatively, interested individuals may access New London County arrest records for free through third-party sites. These websites gather arrest information from law enforcement agencies and official repositories across many jurisdictions in the county. In most cases, users can search these sites to find arrest records using only first and last names. Some third-party search tools may require a fee, but most of them are free to use.

Get New London County Criminal Records

Criminal records or criminal history are legal documents containing information on a person's criminal history, which includes arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. New London County criminal records are gathered from reports submitted by local police departments and jail facilities across the state. These records may include details of an individual's arrest, indictment, and conviction at the county and state levels.

The State Police Criminal Records Unit keeps the official record of criminal convictions in Connecticut. To obtain a criminal background check, download and fill out a Criminal History Conviction Information Request Form (DPS-0846-C) and mail it to:

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
State Police Bureau of Identification
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 685-8480

The requester must provide the full name of the subject and the record on the form to obtain a complete criminal history report. Whether the criminal history search is by name or fingerprint, a charge fee of $75 must be included. Note that fingerprinting done at a Connecticut State Police Department in person is $15.

Alternatively, interested individuals can obtain a criminal history report from the Connecticut Judicial Branch on the Case Look-up database page. This database allows users to find criminal/motor vehicle conviction records using the search by defendant or docket number option.

The New London Police Department also provides a database for interested individuals to submit a Background Check and Report Request. However, note that this department reports only Adult Criminal Convictions for arrests done by the Police Department. Users must create an account to access these records and track requests online. All requests for background checks in New London PD only cost $20.

New London County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The primary difference between arrest records and criminal records is that arrest records are mostly about a specific arrest incident, while criminal records provide an individual's entire criminal history. In New London County, arrest records document situations surrounding the apprehension of an individual suspected of committing a crime. This record contains details like the officer and agency in charge, the date and location of the arrest, charges, fingerprints, and mugshots of the offender.

On the other hand, a criminal record is a compilation of all information on an individual's criminal history with the justice system in the state. This record also includes all arrest details, charges, convictions, sentences, and court proceedings in the county. The Connecticut State Police maintains both arrest and criminal records, and processes requests for criminal record checks across the state.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

According to the criminal erasure laws in Connecticut, an arrest record that leads to a conviction will remain on a person's record indefinitely unless expunged. However, if a court dismisses a criminal case charge or finds an individual not guilty, the court automatically erases the arrest record from their criminal history after 13 months.

Expunge New London County Arrest Records

Per CGS 54-142a, it is possible to expunge certain arrests or criminal records in Connecticut. Another name for erasing arrest records through expungement in Connecticut is known as absolute pardon. During this process, the state clears out all arrest and police records of an individual's case and will not disclose any information to the public, including law enforcement.

Generally, cases that are automatically eligible for erasure are cases of those accused but found not guilty or those who have cases where the charges were dropped. The case must be put on hold with at least 13 months passing without any prosecution or any disposition of the matter. However, in cases where an individual has a clear conviction from an arrest, the individual must wait three years for a misdemeanor conviction and five years for a felony conviction before submitting an expungement request.

To start an expungement process, the individual must complete an Absolute Pardon application form from the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) Division. The individual must also complete the Background Investigation Authorization form and provide the contact details of references to fill out the Absolute Reference Questionnaire. The applicant must provide:

• Proof of employment or sources of income.
• A copy of a state identification card.
• A valid driver's license.

All the required documents and forms must be completed and can be uploaded using the ePardons Portal or sent to the BPP through mail. The Pardon Board staff will review the application to determine if the individual qualifies for a review without a hearing.

New London County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is an order by a judge or other judicial authority that allows law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime. A court usually issues arrest warrants once a police officer has probable cause for the arrest (Section 54-2a). Depending on the seriousness of the crime, the officer may conduct a short or more extensive criminal investigation for confirmation.

Arrest warrants could also be issued based on a person's failure to appear in court, violation of probation, or order to incarcerate. Chapter 959 of the Connecticut General Assembly governs the issuance and execution of arrest warrants in the county.

In New London County, an arrest warrant typically contains the name of the person to be arrested, a description of the offense, the date of issuance, the name and signature of the judge in charge, and the issuing court.

New London County Arrest Warrant Search

Interested individuals searching for active arrest warrants in New London County should visit the Connecticut Judicial Branch Portal online. Through the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), users can access arrest warrant data through the search for outstanding arrest warrants portal. One can find arrest warrants using the subject's name, town, court location, or any of the three options.

Alternatively, the New London Police Department provides a report request form that individuals can use to obtain arrest warrant information in the county. The requester should choose the type of report(arrest warrant) and must provide some personal and arrest details before submitting it to the department. The cost to make copies of warrant records is $50 per page.

Do New London County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In New London County, arrest warrants do not have an expiration date. They become active once they are issued and will remain valid until the arrest occurs and the warrant's subject is in custody. An arrest warrant may not expire, no matter the time frame, but it can become invalid for various reasons. For instance, an arrest warrant is no longer valid if the court in charge of the warrant issuance withdraws it. In some cases, the warrant is invalid if the subject of the warrant dies before it is executed.