Arrest records are public documents in Littleton, New Hampshire, 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 made by law enforcement agencies. The fundamental principle underlying this legislation is that government transparency serves the public interest by enabling citizens to monitor the activities of public officials and institutions.
The public nature of arrest records serves several important functions:
Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, ongoing investigations, or where disclosure might compromise public safety. In such instances, portions of the records may be redacted or temporarily withheld in accordance with statutory provisions.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Littleton have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The following methods represent the primary means by which individuals may obtain arrest record information:
Littleton Police Department
2 Kittridge Lane
Littleton, NH 03561
(603) 444-2422
Littleton Police Department
Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division of the Littleton Police Department. Pursuant to RSA 91-A:4, public bodies must make records available within 5 business days of receipt of the request.
Grafton County Superior Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the county courthouse.
Grafton County Superior Court
3785 Dartmouth College Highway
North Haverhill, NH 03774
(855) 212-1234
NH Judicial Branch
New Hampshire State Police Troop F
549 Route 302
Twin Mountain, NH 03595
(603) 846-3333
NH State Police
Requestors should note that fees may apply for copying and certification of records, as authorized under RSA 91-A:4(IV). Current fee schedules are available from the respective agencies.
Arrest records maintained by Littleton law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive documentation of the circumstances and procedures associated with an individual's arrest. Standard components of these records include:
It should be noted that pursuant to RSA 106-B:14, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft or compromise privacy beyond the legitimate public interest in disclosure.
The State of New Hampshire provides statutory mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement (also referred to as "annulment") of arrest records maintained by Littleton authorities. The legal framework for this process is established under RSA 651:5, which delineates specific criteria and procedures.
Eligibility requirements for expungement include:
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including:
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
Upon granting of an expungement petition, the court will order all records of the arrest, conviction, and sentence to be removed from public access. The individual may thereafter legally respond to inquiries as though the arrest or conviction never occurred, with certain exceptions for law enforcement and specific licensing agencies.
Grafton County Superior Court
3785 Dartmouth College Highway
North Haverhill, NH 03774
(855) 212-1234
NH Judicial Branch
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the legal standards and procedures are subject to legislative amendment and judicial interpretation. The New Hampshire court system provides standardized petition forms and instructions for those pursuing this remedy without legal representation.