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Pawtucket Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pawtucket, Rhode Island?

Arrest records are public documents in Pawtucket, 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 that records maintained by governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies, are presumptively public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Pawtucket Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. Members of the public may access these records through established procedures, subject to certain privacy protections and exemptions outlined in state law.

The public nature of arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal interests, including transparency in law enforcement operations, accountability of public officials, and community awareness of public safety matters. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile information, or victim privacy in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-2(4).

How to Look Up Pawtucket Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Pawtucket provides multiple channels through which members of the public may request and obtain arrest records. Individuals seeking such information should be aware of the following official methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests directly at the Records Division of the Pawtucket Police Department. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees will be assessed in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-4.

Pawtucket Police Department
121 Roosevelt Avenue
Pawtucket, RI 02860
401-727-9100, Extension 349
Police Department Records Division

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays
Online Requests: The Public Records Request Portal allows for electronic submission of APRA requests. Requestors must provide specific information regarding the records sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division address listed above. All requests must include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the records being sought.
Certified Copies: For official purposes such as court proceedings or employment verification, certified copies of arrest records may be obtained for an additional fee as prescribed by municipal ordinance.

Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-3(e), the custodian of records shall respond to requests within ten (10) business days. Complex requests may require additional time as permitted by statute.

Contents of a Pawtucket Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Pawtucket Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Rhode Island law enforcement protocols. These records typically include:

Demographic Information: Full legal name, date of birth, address, gender, and physical description of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Offense Information: Specific charges filed, including relevant Rhode Island General Laws citations
Case Processing Data: Booking number, case number, and court docket information
Arresting Officer Information: Name and badge number of the primary arresting officer
Disposition Status: Current status of the case within the judicial system
Bail/Bond Information: Amount set and conditions imposed by judicial authority
Property/Evidence Documentation: Inventory of items seized during arrest

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-2(4), including but not limited to:

Social Security numbers
Medical information
Juvenile records (unless specifically ordered by court)
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
Victim identifying information in certain cases

The Pawtucket Municipal Court maintains separate records regarding the judicial processing of cases resulting from arrests within city jurisdiction.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Rhode Island

The maintenance and disclosure of arrest records in Pawtucket operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by state and federal statutes. The primary governing legislation includes:

Rhode Island Access to Public Records Act (APRA): R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-1 et seq. establishes the presumption of public access to governmental records while providing specific exemptions to protect privacy and other interests.
Criminal History Record Information Act: R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-1 et seq. governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history information by law enforcement agencies.
Federal Privacy Act of 1974: 5 U.S.C. § 552a provides additional protections regarding personally identifiable information maintained in federal systems that may interact with local records.
Pawtucket City Ordinances: Chapter 54 of the Pawtucket Code of Ordinances contains specific provisions regarding records maintenance and fee schedules for public records requests.

The Pawtucket Police Department, as the primary custodian of arrest records, must balance public access rights with privacy protections and investigative integrity. All record requests are processed in accordance with these legal requirements, and denials of access may be appealed through procedures outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-8.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pawtucket

Under Rhode Island law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged or sealed from public access. The expungement process is governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-1.3-1 through § 12-1.3-4, which establishes specific criteria and procedures.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Pawtucket include:

First-time offenders who have completed all terms of their sentence
Individuals whose cases resulted in dismissal or acquittal
Persons arrested but never charged with a crime
Those who have maintained a clean record for the statutorily required waiting period (varies by offense type)

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Rhode Island Superior Court or District Court that had original jurisdiction over the case. The petition must include:

Certified copies of the arrest record
Affidavit attesting to eligibility
Criminal background check from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office
Filing fee as established by court rule

Rhode Island Superior Court - Providence County
250 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-222-3250

Upon successful expungement, all public records of the arrest are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute. Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally state they have never been arrested for the expunged offense in most circumstances, including employment applications.

Limitations on Use of Arrest Records

Rhode Island law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be utilized, particularly in employment contexts. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-7, employers are prohibited from inquiring about arrests that did not result in conviction unless such inquiry is specifically authorized by statute for certain sensitive positions.

Additional limitations include:

Ban the Box Provisions: R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-7(7) prohibits employers from inquiring about criminal history on initial job applications
Consumer Protection: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) restricts how consumer reporting agencies may report arrest information
Housing Discrimination: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-4 prohibits discrimination in housing based solely on arrest records
Educational Access: State educational institutions are limited in their ability to deny admission based solely on arrest records

The Pawtucket Housing Court and other municipal entities must adhere to these restrictions when making determinations that may affect individual rights or privileges.

Violations of these limitations may result in civil liability, administrative penalties, or other remedies as provided by applicable law.