Carroll County, New Hampshire Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Carroll County, New Hampshire?
Arrest records in Carroll County, New Hampshire are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A). This statute establishes the legal framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests and criminal proceedings. The law operates under the principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest and promotes accountability within law enforcement agencies.
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory obligations under New Hampshire state law. These records document the official actions of law enforcement personnel and become part of the public record upon creation, subject to certain statutory exemptions. Members of the public may inspect these records during normal business hours at designated facilities or through authorized electronic platforms.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with RSA 91-A:5, which provides specific exemptions for confidential information, including but not limited to:
- Medical information of the arrested individual
- Information that would constitute an invasion of privacy
- Records pertaining to juvenile offenders
- Information that might compromise an ongoing investigation
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Carroll County?
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to arrest records through its official county website. Pursuant to RSA 91-A:4, which addresses the maintenance, accessibility, and preservation of governmental records, the county has implemented digital systems to facilitate public access to certain arrest information.
Online arrest record repositories maintained by Carroll County typically include:
- Daily arrest logs
- Booking information
- Current inmate population data
- Outstanding warrants
The level of detail available online may be restricted compared to records available through in-person requests. Online records typically exclude sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth, in accordance with RSA 91-A:5, IV, which exempts records whose disclosure would constitute an invasion of privacy.
Users of online arrest record systems should be aware that the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a comprehensive criminal history check. The Carroll County Sheriff's Office updates online records on a regular basis, but there may be delays between an arrest and the online publication of related information.
How to Look Up Carroll County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Carroll County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple channels established pursuant to RSA 91-A:4. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest record information:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests in person at the Carroll County Sheriff's Office located at:
Carroll County Sheriff's Office
95 Water Village Road
Ossipee, NH 03864
Phone: (603) 539-2284
Carroll County Sheriff's Office
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Online Access: The Carroll County government website provides a portal for accessing certain arrest records. Users must register for an account and may be subject to nominal fees for document retrieval or printing.
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to the Sheriff's Office address listed above. All written requests must include:
- Full name of the subject of the inquiry
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Contact information of the requestor
- Purpose of the request
Court Records: Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through:
Carroll County Superior Court
96 Water Village Road
Ossipee, NH 03864
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pursuant to RSA 91-A:4, IV, agencies must respond to record requests within 5 business days. Fees for copies of records shall not exceed the actual cost of providing the copies.
Contents of a Carroll County Arrest Record
Carroll County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by New Hampshire Administrative Rules Jus 601.03. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:
- Subject identification information (full legal name, aliases, date of birth)
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
- Demographic information (gender, race)
- Arrest details (date, time, location, arresting agency, officer name and badge number)
- Statutory charges (RSA citations and offense descriptions)
- Booking information (booking number, date and time processed)
- Custody status (released on bail, detained pending arraignment)
- Bail or bond information (amount, conditions, surety details)
- Court appearance details (date, time, venue)
- Case disposition (if available)
- Property inventory (items in possession at time of arrest)
Fingerprint records and photographs (mugshots) are maintained separately in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) pursuant to RSA 106-B:14, which mandates the collection of biometric data for certain offenses.
Law enforcement agencies in Carroll County adhere to the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy when handling arrest records to ensure data integrity and appropriate access controls.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Carroll County
New Hampshire law provides mechanisms for the expungement or annulment of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in RSA 651:5. Individuals seeking expungement of Carroll County arrest records must petition the court that maintains jurisdiction over the case.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi
- Arrests not resulting in conviction
- Convictions followed by specified waiting periods based on offense classification
- First-time offenders meeting statutory requirements
The petition process requires:
- Filing a Petition for Annulment form with the court of jurisdiction
- Payment of the filing fee (currently $125 per petition)
- Criminal record check from the New Hampshire State Police (fee: $25)
- Notification to the County Attorney's Office and arresting agency
- Judicial review and determination
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all state agencies to remove references to the arrest from public records. Pursuant to RSA 651:5, IX, the person whose record is annulled may legally respond to inquiries as if the arrest or conviction never occurred, with certain exceptions for law enforcement and licensing purposes.
The Carroll County Superior Court processes expungement petitions at:
Carroll County Superior Court
96 Water Village Road
Ossipee, NH 03864
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Search Arrest Records in Carroll County
