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Belmont Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Belmont, New Hampshire?

Arrest records in Belmont, New Hampshire are considered public information pursuant to New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A). This statute establishes the legal framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal jurisdictions. The law operates on the presumption that governmental records shall be available to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access arrest records as a means of ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations. Records maintained by the Belmont Police Department are subject to disclosure under RSA 91-A:4, which states that every citizen has the right to inspect governmental records during regular business hours. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted if disclosure would constitute an invasion of privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation as provided in RSA 91-A:5.

Belmont Police Department
16 Fuller Street
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-8350
Belmont Police Department Website

How to Look Up Belmont Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Belmont have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The Belmont Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by RSA 33-A:3-a. The following procedures are available for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Belmont Police Department at 16 Fuller Street during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). A formal written request form must be completed, specifying the information sought. Valid identification is required, and applicable fees may apply per RSA 91-A:4, IV.
Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division at the Belmont Police Department. Correspondence should include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the record(s) sought, and the preferred method of delivery. Processing times typically range from 5-10 business days in accordance with RSA 91-A:4, IV.
Online Access: The Town of Belmont provides limited online access to recent arrest logs through their official website. These records are typically updated weekly and include basic information about arrests within the jurisdiction.
County Court Records: The Belknap County Superior Court maintains records of arrests that have proceeded to prosecution. These records may be accessed at the courthouse located at 64 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246.

Contents of a Belmont Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Belmont Police Department contain standardized information as required by New Hampshire Administrative Rules Saf-C 5903. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed pursuant to New Hampshire Criminal Code
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint records when applicable under RSA 106-B:14
Case disposition information
Bail or bond information
Court appearance dates

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to juveniles as protected under RSA 169-B:35.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Belmont

New Hampshire law provides mechanisms for the expungement or annulment of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in RSA 651:5. Individuals seeking expungement of Belmont arrest records must petition the court that maintained original jurisdiction over their case.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of all terms of the sentence, including probation and payment of fines
Fulfillment of waiting periods specified in RSA 651:5, III (ranging from 1 to 10 years depending on offense classification)
No subsequent arrests or convictions during the waiting period
Demonstration that the expungement serves the public interest

The petition process requires submission of a formal application to the Belknap County Superior Court along with payment of filing fees. The court may schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate compliance with statutory requirements. If granted, the expungement order directs all governmental agencies, including the Belmont Police Department, to seal the records pertaining to the arrest and subsequent proceedings.

The Belmont Police Department complies with court-ordered expungements by removing the records from public access and segregating them in accordance with RSA 651:5, X. However, expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as permitted by statute.

Belknap County Superior Court
64 Court Street
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 524-3570
New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, several statutory provisions limit access to certain information. The Belmont Police Department adheres to the following restrictions when processing record requests:

Juvenile records are confidential pursuant to RSA 169-B:35 unless the juvenile was certified to stand trial as an adult
Records pertaining to sexual assault victims are subject to privacy protections under RSA 632-A:6
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under RSA 91-A:5, IV
Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Mental health information contained within arrest records is protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws

Requestors seeking arrest records should be aware that the Belmont Police Department is required by law to redact protected information before release. Administrative fees for this processing may be assessed in accordance with RSA 91-A:4, IV.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Belmont seeking to conduct background checks using arrest records must comply with applicable state and federal laws. The following regulations apply:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) governs the use of arrest records obtained through consumer reporting agencies
New Hampshire's Ban the Box law (RSA 275:37-a) prohibits employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications
RSA 354-A:7 prohibits discrimination in employment based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction

The Belmont Town Offices can provide guidance on lawful use of arrest records for background check purposes. Entities conducting regular background checks may establish accounts with the Records Division to streamline the request process.

Belmont Town Offices
143 Main Street, PO Box 310
Belmont, NH 03220
(603) 267-8300
Town of Belmont, New Hampshire