Hartford County Arrest Records: Public Access Guide
Hartford County sits in the heart of Connecticut. It is home to almost 900,000 people. The county seat is Hartford, the state capital. Local police and state troopers keep the peace here. They also create arrest records when they take someone into custody. These records are public under state law. C.G.S. § 1-215 makes arrest logs open to all. This means you can view booking details, charges, and dates. You do not need to give a reason. You can ask for these files from local departments or state police.
What Are Hartford County Arrest Records
An arrest record is a file made by police when they take a person into custody. It shows the name of the person arrested. It also shows the date, time, and place of the arrest. The offense is listed too. These files are not the same as court records. They do not show if someone was found guilty. They only show that police made an arrest. In Hartford County, local police departments create these files. The Connecticut State Police also make them when they make arrests.
Under C.G.S. § 1-215, these records are public from the moment of arrest. This law says police cannot hide arrest facts. They must share the name and address of the person arrested. They must share the crime charged. They must share when and where it happened. Some parts may be blacked out. This includes witness names. It also includes facts that could hurt a pending case. But the basic facts remain open to all.
Arrest records in Hartford County may include booking photos. They may include the arresting officer's name. They may include the bond amount set. Each police department keeps its own files. The Hartford Police Department stores records for the city. The West Hartford Police Department keeps files for their town. The same is true for New Britain, Bristol, and Manchester. State Police Troop H in Hartford covers areas without local police.
How to Access Arrest Records in Hartford County
There are several ways to get arrest records in Hartford County. You can ask the local police department. You can contact the Connecticut State Police. You can also use online tools. Each method has its own steps. Some are faster than others. Some cost money. Others are free.
The fastest way is often to visit the police station in person. Bring a photo ID. Ask for the records division. Tell them you want to view an arrest record. They must let you see it by law. You can also ask for copies. Most departments charge a small fee per page. This is usually fifty cents per sheet. Call ahead to check their hours. Some offices have short hours for records requests.
You can also mail a request. Write a letter with the details you seek. Include the name of the person arrested. Include the date if you know it. Send this to the police department. Include a check for the copy fees. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. They will mail the records back to you. This takes longer than a visit. But it works if you live far away.
Many Hartford County towns now have online options. Hartford Police posts arrest logs on their website. These show recent bookings. They include names and charges. West Hartford Police also has online records tools. You can search for reports by date or name. These tools are free to use. They are open to the public at any time.
Connecticut State Police in Hartford County
The State Police play a big role in Hartford County. They patrol state highways. They also cover towns without their own police. Troop H is based in Hartford. It serves the county seat and nearby areas. Troop C in Tolland covers the eastern edge of the county. The Central District HQ sits on Maxim Road in Hartford. This office handles major crimes.
Troop H is at 100R Washington Street in Hartford. Their phone number is (860) 534-1000. They take calls twenty-four hours a day. You can ask for records here. The Central District HQ is at 269 Maxim Road. Their number is (860) 706-5656. They handle serious cases from across the region.
State Police records follow the same rules as local police. C.G.S. § 1-215 applies to them too. You can request arrest records from any State Police barracks. You can also ask the DESPP for criminal history records. This is a full record of arrests and convictions. It costs more than a single arrest report. The fee is set by state law.
Major Cities and Police Departments in Hartford County
Hartford County has many cities and towns. Each has its own police force. The largest is Hartford. It is also the state capital. The Hartford Police Department is at 253 High Street. Their records division phone is (860) 757-4150. They are open Monday through Friday. Hours vary by day. Call first to confirm.
West Hartford is a large suburb. It sits just west of the capital. The West Hartford Police are at 103 Raymond Road. Their records number is (860) 570-8800. They offer many services. You can get accident reports. You can get incident reports. You can also get fingerprinting. They charge five dollars for a local record check.
New Britain is another key city. It is home to about 75,000 people. The police department sits at 10 Chestnut Street. Their records bureau is at (860) 826-3190. They are open weekdays from 10 am to 3 pm. New Britain offers online accident reports. You can get these through a third-party site.
Bristol is west of Hartford. It has its own police force. Manchester is east of the river. It too has a full police department. Both cities keep arrest records. Both follow state law on public access. Smaller towns like Windsor and South Windsor also have police. They keep records too. Each town has its own rules for requests.
What Hartford County Arrest Records Include
Arrest records contain key facts. They show who was arrested. They show when and where. They show why. This is the basic set of data. But files can hold more. Some have booking photos. Some have witness statements. Some have details about evidence seized.
Here is what you will typically find:
- Full name and address of the arrested person
- Date, time, and place of the arrest
- The offense charged
- Name of the arresting officer
- Bond or bail amount set
- Booking photo (in some cases)
Not all records have all these parts. Some police departments do not release photos. Others may hold back facts about ongoing cases. But the core facts must be shared. This is the law in Connecticut. It applies to all police in Hartford County.
Records may also show the outcome. This could include if the person was released. It could show if they posted bond. It could show their court date. These files do not show if the person was found guilty. For that, you need court records. The Connecticut Judicial Branch has those files. You can search them online.
Online Tools for Hartford County Arrest Searches
The internet makes it easier to find arrest records. Many tools exist. Some are free. Some cost money. Hartford County residents have several options. These range from police websites to state databases.
The Connecticut Judicial Branch Case Look-up is a key tool. It shows criminal cases. You can search by name. You can search by docket number. It does not show arrests that did not lead to charges. But it shows cases that went to court. This is useful for finding outcomes.
The Connecticut Department of Correction has an inmate search. This shows who is in jail or prison. It includes people awaiting trial. It includes people serving sentences. You can search by name or number. This is free to use.
Many local police departments post daily arrest logs. Hartford Police does this. So do other towns. These logs show recent arrests. They update often. Check the department website. Look for a link to "press releases" or "arrest logs."
The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection has statewide records. You can request your own criminal history. You cannot search for other people's histories without consent. This is for privacy reasons. The fee is set by law.
Your Rights Under Connecticut Law
Connecticut law protects your right to see arrest records. C.G.S. § 1-215 is clear. Arrest records are public. Police must share them. They cannot refuse without a good reason. The law lists only a few exceptions. These protect witnesses and victims. They also protect ongoing cases.
You do not need to say why you want the records. You do not need to be a resident. You do not need to know the person arrested. The law treats all requesters the same. This is part of the state's open records laws.
If a police department refuses your request, you have options. First, ask for a written denial. They must give a reason. Then you can appeal. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission handles these appeals. You must file within thirty days. There is no fee to file. You can do it yourself. You do not need a lawyer.
The FOI Commission can order the police to release records. They can hold hearings. They can issue binding decisions. Most cases are resolved quickly. The commission aims to keep government open. They favor public access.
How Long Arrest Records Are Kept
Police departments keep arrest records for many years. There is no set time limit by state law. Most keep them for decades. Some keep them forever. This depends on the department's rules. It also depends on storage space.
Old records may be in archives. You can still ask for them. It may take longer to find them. The department may charge a search fee. This is allowed under state law. The fee must be reasonable.
Some records are erased by law. This happens under the Clean Slate law. It also happens when charges are dropped. It happens when a person is found not guilty. Erased records are not public. You cannot see them. The law treats them as if they never happened. This gives people a fresh start.
Records of conviction stay public. These are court records. They remain unless a pardon is granted. Absolute pardons erase the record. Provisional pardons do not. The Board of Pardons and Paroles handles these requests.
Arrest Records in Nearby Counties
Hartford County borders several other counties. Each has its own records system. If you cannot find a record in Hartford, try these areas. A person may have been arrested nearby.
Major Cities in Hartford County
Each city in Hartford County has its own police department. Click below to learn about arrest records in these cities.