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Nashua Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Nashua, New Hampshire?

Arrest records in Nashua, New Hampshire are public documents pursuant to New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A). This statute establishes that records produced by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be made available for public inspection and copying. The Nashua Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities.

Under RSA 91-A:4, every citizen has the right to inspect governmental records during the regular business hours of all public bodies or agencies. The Nashua Police Department, as a public agency, is required to comply with requests for arrest records unless specific statutory exemptions apply. These exemptions may include ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that would constitute an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests through the Records Division of the Nashua Police Department. The department processes these requests in accordance with the statutory timeframe established in RSA 91-A:4 IV, which requires a response within five business days of receipt.

How to Look Up Nashua Arrest Records in 2025

The Nashua Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information must follow established protocols and may be required to pay applicable fees as authorized by RSA 91-A:4 IV.

Methods available for accessing Nashua arrest records include:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division at the Nashua Police Department headquarters to submit requests for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and request forms must be completed on site.

Nashua Police Department
0 Panther Drive
Nashua, NH 03063
(603) 594-3500
Official Police Department Website

Online Requests: The Nashua Police Department maintains an online portal through which citizens may submit requests for public records, including arrest information. Electronic submissions must include all required information and may necessitate electronic verification of identity.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. Such requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, and specific details regarding the records being sought.
Hillsborough County Superior Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the court clerk's office.

Hillsborough County Superior Court - Southern District
30 Spring Street
Nashua, NH 03060
(855) 212-1234

Contents of a Nashua Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Nashua Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by New Hampshire Administrative Rules Saf-C 5703. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Custody status information
Case number and incident report references
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable

It should be noted that pursuant to RSA 594:14-a, certain arrest record information may be withheld if release would interfere with an ongoing investigation or compromise public safety. Additionally, records pertaining to arrests that did not result in conviction may be subject to different disclosure standards under New Hampshire law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Nashua

New Hampshire law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or annulment of arrest records. This process is governed by RSA 651:5 and allows for the removal of arrest information from public access under specific circumstances.

The expungement process in Nashua requires petitioners to:

File a Petition for Annulment with the court that handled the original case
Pay the statutory filing fee of $125 as established by RSA 651:5 VIII
Submit to a criminal background check conducted by the New Hampshire Department of Safety
Attend a hearing before a judge who will determine eligibility

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of all terms of the sentence, including probation and payment of fines
Satisfaction of waiting periods as 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 Nashua Circuit Court processes expungement petitions for misdemeanor offenses, while the Hillsborough County Superior Court handles felony expungement requests.

Nashua Circuit Court
30 Spring Street
Nashua, NH 03060
(855) 212-1234

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies, including the Nashua Police Department, to seal the records. Pursuant to RSA 651:5 X, expunged records are not accessible to the general public but may be available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute.

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access

The accessibility of arrest records in Nashua is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The New Hampshire Constitution Part 1, Article 8 establishes that government should be open, accessible, and accountable to citizens. This constitutional principle is implemented through the Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A).

Key statutory provisions affecting arrest record access include:

RSA 91-A:4 I - Establishes that every citizen has the right to inspect governmental records
RSA 91-A:5 - Enumerates exemptions to disclosure requirements
RSA 106-B:14 - Governs the dissemination of criminal history record information
RSA 651:5 - Provides for the annulment of criminal records under specific circumstances

The Nashua City Government has implemented administrative procedures to facilitate compliance with these statutes. Municipal Code Chapter 42 establishes local regulations for records management and public access protocols that align with state requirements.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Nashua Police Department, must adhere to these legal standards when processing requests for arrest records. The department's Records Division operates under Standard Operating Procedure 41-2, which outlines specific procedures for record maintenance and disclosure in accordance with applicable laws.

Fees and Processing Times for Arrest Record Requests

The Nashua Police Department assesses fees for arrest record requests as authorized by RSA 91-A:4 IV. These fees are designed to cover the actual cost of providing the requested documents and are subject to periodic adjustment.

Current fee schedule for arrest record requests:

Standard arrest record: $15 per report
Certified copies: Additional $5 per document
Photographs: $10 per image
Audio/video recordings: $25 per hour of recording (prorated)
Research fee: $30 per hour after the first hour (for complex requests)

Payment must be made by cash, money order, or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon submission of a Fee Waiver Application and supporting documentation.

Processing times for arrest record requests vary based on:

Complexity and volume of the requested information
Age of the records (older records may require retrieval from archives)
Current workload of the Records Division
Whether redaction is required to protect confidential information

Standard processing times range from 5 business days for simple, recent records to 30 business days for complex or archived materials. The Records Division provides estimated completion timeframes upon receipt of requests.