West Warwick Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in West Warwick, Rhode Island?
Arrest records are public documents in West Warwick, Rhode Island, pursuant to the Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA), R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-1 et seq. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies. The Act stipulates that all government records shall be public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions.
The West Warwick Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. These records document instances where individuals have been taken into custody based on probable cause that they have committed criminal offenses. Under Rhode Island law, these records are presumptively open to public inspection.
Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-2(4), which identifies specific categories of records that may be exempt from public access. These exemptions include:
- Records pertaining to juvenile offenders
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Records that could reasonably be expected to interfere with ongoing investigations
- Records whose disclosure is prohibited by federal law, state law, or court order
Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while the records are generally available, certain information within them may be redacted to comply with applicable exemptions under the law.
How to Look Up West Warwick Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in West Warwick. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking this information:
In-Person Requests at the West Warwick Police Department The primary repository for local arrest records is the West Warwick Police Department. Individuals may submit requests in person during regular business hours.
West Warwick Police Department
1162 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 822-9220
West Warwick Police Department
Hours of operation for public record requests: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
West Warwick Town Clerk's Office
Certain arrest record information may also be available through the Town Clerk's office, which maintains various municipal records.
West Warwick Town Clerk
1170 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 822-9201
Town Clerk's Office
Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal
The Rhode Island Judiciary maintains a comprehensive online database of court records, including information related to arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
Rhode Island Judiciary
250 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-3000
Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal
Written Requests
Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-3, written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the West Warwick Police Department Records Division. Requests must reasonably identify the records sought and may require payment of applicable fees as authorized by R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4.
Electronic Access
The West Warwick municipal website provides limited information regarding recent arrests and police activity. Users may access this information through the town's official website.
Contents of a West Warwick Arrest Record
West Warwick arrest records contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These records typically include the following components as mandated by Rhode Island law enforcement protocols:
Biographical Information
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Any known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as categorized by law enforcement)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Arrest Details
- Date and time of arrest
- Location where the arrest occurred
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest
- Booking number and processing information
- Method of arrest (warrant, probable cause, etc.)
Criminal Charges
- Specific charges filed against the individual
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor)
- Case numbers assigned by the court system
- Disposition information (if available)
Documentation
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Record of Miranda rights notification
Procedural Information
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court appearance dates
- Detention facility information
- Release information (if applicable)
It should be noted that pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-2(4)(D), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in West Warwick
Rhode Island law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The authority for expungement is established under R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-1 et seq.
Eligibility Criteria Individuals may qualify for expungement of West Warwick arrest records under the following circumstances:
- First-time nonviolent misdemeanor offenses may be eligible for expungement five years after completion of sentence pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-2
- First-time nonviolent felony offenses may be eligible for expungement ten years after completion of sentence
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal may be eligible for immediate expungement
- Arrests not resulting in charges may be eligible for expungement after one year
Statutory Exclusions Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement under Rhode Island law, including:
- Crimes of violence as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-1(3)
- Domestic violence offenses
- Driving under the influence
- Sexual offenses requiring registration
Application Process The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Rhode Island Superior Court or District Court, depending on the nature of the original case. The procedure includes:
- Submission of a Motion for Expungement to the court where the case was adjudicated
- Payment of applicable filing fees (currently $100, subject to change)
- Procurement of a criminal background check from the Bureau of Criminal Identification
- Attendance at a court hearing where a judge will evaluate the petition
West Warwick Municipal Court
1170 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone: (401) 822-9201
Municipal Court Information
Kent County Superior Court
222 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 822-6900
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies, including the West Warwick Police Department, to seal and/or destroy records pertaining to the arrest. Following expungement, individuals may legally state that they have never been arrested for the expunged offense.
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