Kent County, Rhode Island Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Kent County, Rhode Island?
Arrest records in Kent County, Rhode Island are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Rhode Island's Access to Public Records Act (APRA), R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-1 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Kent County. The Rhode Island Legislature has determined that public access to these records serves the essential function of maintaining transparency in governmental operations and accountability in the criminal justice system.
The Kent County Superior Court maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these documents through established procedures that balance the public's right to information with privacy considerations outlined in state statutes. Law enforcement agencies in Kent County, including the Warwick Police Department, West Warwick Police Department, and Coventry Police Department, generate and maintain arrest records that subsequently become part of the public record.
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-2(4), which identifies specific categories of records exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions typically apply to information that might compromise ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information that falls under privacy protection statutes.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Kent County?
Kent County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and local government agencies. The Rhode Island Judiciary has implemented the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal, which provides electronic access to court case information, including records related to arrests processed through the Kent County court system. This portal serves as the official digital repository for public court records in Rhode Island.
The online availability of these records is governed by Rhode Island Supreme Court Executive Order No. 2021-01, which establishes guidelines for electronic access to court records. Users of these online systems should be aware that:
- Not all arrest record information may be available online due to statutory restrictions
- Some records may require in-person requests at the appropriate government office
- Online records may not include complete case files or attachments
- Records available online may have certain information redacted in accordance with privacy laws
Local law enforcement agencies in Kent County, including the Kent County Sheriff's Office, may also maintain separate online databases that provide limited arrest information to the public. These databases typically include recent arrest logs and basic booking information but may not contain comprehensive arrest records.
How to Look Up Kent County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Kent County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several methods established by Rhode Island governmental authorities. The following procedures have been implemented to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with state regulations:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Kent County Superior Court located at:
Kent County Superior Court
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 822-6900
Rhode Island Judiciary
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays.
Requestors must complete the standard Public Records Request Form available at the clerk's office. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-3, the custodian of records must respond to requests within ten (10) business days.
For records maintained by local law enforcement agencies, individuals may contact:
Kent County Sheriff's Office
670 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 275-2900
Rhode Island Sheriff's Division
Warwick Police Department
99 Veterans Memorial Drive
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 468-4200
Warwick Police Department
Online requests may be submitted through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal, which provides 24-hour access to publicly available court records. Users must register for an account and may be subject to nominal fees for document retrieval as established by the Rhode Island Judiciary.
Written requests may be submitted via certified mail to the appropriate agency. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the records being sought, and any relevant case numbers or identifying information.
Contents of a Kent County Arrest Record
Kent County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Rhode Island General Laws § 12-1-12 and administrative regulations established by the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety. These official documents typically include the following components:
- Subject identification information, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and state identification number
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including citation to relevant Rhode Island General Laws
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
- Booking information, including photographs and fingerprints collected during processing
- Custody status and bail determination
- Court docket number and scheduled appearance information
- Disposition of charges if available
Arrest records maintained by the Kent County Superior Court may also contain supplementary documentation, including:
- Probable cause statements submitted by law enforcement
- Witness statements collected during the investigation
- Evidence inventory lists
- Search warrant information when applicable
- Preliminary hearing results
- Pre-trial release conditions
It should be noted that pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1-12.1, certain identifying information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of these records, particularly in cases involving protected categories of victims or ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Kent County
The expungement of arrest records in Kent County is governed by Rhode Island General Laws § 12-1.3-1 through § 12-1.3-4, which establish specific criteria and procedures for the removal of arrest information from public records. Individuals seeking expungement must file a motion with the Kent County Superior Court and demonstrate eligibility under one of the statutory provisions.
For misdemeanor offenses, expungement may be granted if:
- The individual has completed all terms of sentencing
- Five years have elapsed since the completion of sentence
- The individual has no subsequent criminal convictions
- No criminal proceedings are pending against the individual
For felony offenses, the waiting period extends to ten years, and additional restrictions apply based on the nature of the offense. Certain serious offenses, including crimes of violence and sexual offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-2.
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a motion for expungement with the Kent County Superior Court
- Pay the required filing fee (currently $100, subject to change)
- Obtain a criminal background check from the Rhode Island Bureau of Criminal Identification
- Attend a hearing before a Superior Court judge
- Demonstrate compliance with all statutory requirements
Upon granting of an expungement order, all public records pertaining to the arrest and subsequent proceedings are sealed and removed from public access. Law enforcement agencies and the court system are required to update their records accordingly, though certain governmental entities retain limited access to expunged records for specific administrative purposes as outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-4.
Individuals seeking information about the expungement process may contact:
Rhode Island Public Defender's Office - Kent County
222 Quaker Lane, Suite 2
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 822-6891
Rhode Island Public Defender
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