Hillsborough Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Hillsborough, New Hampshire?
Arrest records in Hillsborough, 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 by law enforcement agencies within Hillsborough County. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental and societal interests, including transparency in law enforcement operations and accountability of public officials.
Members of the public may access arrest records unless such records have been specifically sealed by court order or are subject to statutory exemptions. Exemptions may apply to records involving juvenile offenders, ongoing investigations, or cases where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in RSA 91-A:5. The New Hampshire Department of Justice maintains oversight of public records compliance throughout the state, including Hillsborough County.
Law enforcement agencies in Hillsborough County, including the Hillsborough Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules. The Hillsborough Police Department processes requests for arrest records in compliance with applicable state laws and departmental policies.
How to Look Up Hillsborough Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Hillsborough County. The following methods are available to requestors seeking such information:
Online Portal Access: The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital records system accessible through their official website. Users may search for arrest records by providing the name of the individual, date of arrest, or case number. The system operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office located at:
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
329 Mast Road, Suite 109
Goffstown, NH 03045
(603) 627-5610
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMWritten Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to the Hillsborough Police Department at:
Hillsborough Police Department
P.O. Box 7, 27 School Street
Hillsborough, NH 03244
(603) 464-5512
Hillsborough Police DepartmentCourt Records Division: The Hillsborough County Superior Court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings. These records may be accessed at:
Hillsborough County Superior Court - Northern District
300 Chestnut Street
Manchester, NH 03101
(855) 212-1234
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pursuant to RSA 91-A:4, governmental bodies must provide an immediate response to records requests when such records are immediately available. If records cannot be made immediately available, the agency must provide a written response within five business days, either providing the records or citing the specific exemption that applies.
Contents of a Hillsborough Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Hillsborough County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by New Hampshire state law. These records generally include the following components:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) citations and classification of offenses as violations, misdemeanors, or felonies.
Booking Information: Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and unique booking identification numbers assigned by the detention facility.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including bail or bond information, court dates, and preliminary hearing outcomes.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions, if applicable and relevant to the current charges.
The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police maintains the central repository for criminal history record information pursuant to RSA 106-B:14. This centralized system ensures standardization of arrest record content across all jurisdictions within the state, including Hillsborough County.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Hillsborough
New Hampshire law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or annulment of arrest records maintained in Hillsborough County. The legal authority for such actions is established in RSA 651:5, which outlines specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals seeking expungement must meet the following statutory criteria:
- Completion of all terms of the sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of all fines and restitution.
- Fulfillment of the waiting period specified in RSA 651:5, which varies based on the classification of the offense:
- Violations: 1 year after completion of sentence
- Misdemeanors: 3 years after completion of sentence
- Class B Felonies: 5 years after completion of sentence
- Class A Felonies: 10 years after completion of sentence
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement under New Hampshire law, including:
- Sexual offenses requiring registration under RSA 651-B
- Violent crimes resulting in serious bodily injury
- Driving while intoxicated offenses under RSA 265-A:2
- Offenses involving child victims under RSA 169-C
The expungement process requires the submission of a petition to the court of original jurisdiction. In Hillsborough County, petitions are typically filed with either:
Hillsborough County Superior Court - Southern District
30 Spring Street
Nashua, NH 03060
(855) 212-1234
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Upon receipt of a petition, the court schedules a hearing at which the petitioner must demonstrate compliance with all statutory requirements. The prosecuting agency and any victims have the right to appear and provide testimony regarding the petition. If granted, the expungement order directs all governmental agencies to seal the records pertaining to the arrest and subsequent proceedings.
Pursuant to RSA 651:5(X), following expungement, the individual may legally respond to questions regarding the arrest as though the event never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain professional licensing applications and law enforcement employment.
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