Arrest records are public documents in Danville, 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 and criminal proceedings. The law operates on the presumption that government records should be accessible to the public to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials. Citizens of Danville and other interested parties may access these records as part of their statutory right to information about governmental activities.
The New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other protected categories as defined in RSA 91-A:5. Law enforcement agencies in Danville are required to maintain these records and make them available for public inspection during regular business hours. This accessibility serves the public interest by allowing community members to stay informed about local law enforcement activities and criminal incidents within their jurisdiction.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Danville, New Hampshire. The following methods are available pursuant to RSA 91-A and local administrative procedures:
Requestors should note that processing fees may apply in accordance with RSA 91-A:4, which permits agencies to charge for the actual cost of providing copies of public records. Additionally, certain identifying information may be required to process requests, particularly for comprehensive criminal history reports.
Danville Police Department
210 Main Street
Danville, NH 03819
Phone: (603) 382-9403
Town of Danville Police Department
Rockingham County Sheriff's Office
99 North Road
Brentwood, NH 03833
Phone: (603) 679-2225
Rockingham County Sheriff's Office
New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 223-3867
NH State Police Criminal Records
Standard arrest records maintained by the Danville Police Department contain specific categories of information as required by New Hampshire law enforcement protocols and RSA 106-B. These records typically include:
It should be noted that pursuant to RSA 91-A:5, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including but not limited to medical information, juvenile records, and details that could compromise ongoing investigations. Additionally, arrest records for cases that have been annulled or expunged pursuant to RSA 651:5 will not be available through public records requests.
The process of expungement, through which arrest records may be removed from public access, is governed by New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated § 651:5. This statute establishes the legal framework for the annulment of criminal records, including those pertaining to arrests that did not result in convictions or convictions that have satisfied statutory waiting periods.
Individuals seeking expungement of Danville arrest records must petition the court that maintains jurisdiction over the case. The petition process requires:
The waiting periods for expungement eligibility vary according to the severity of the offense, ranging from one year for violations to ten years for certain felonies. Some serious offenses, including violent crimes and sexual offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement under RSA 651:5, IX.
Upon receipt of a petition for annulment, the court will notify the Danville Police Department and the Rockingham County Attorney's Office, which may file objections within the timeframe specified by the court. If the petition is granted, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest or conviction will be ordered to remove such records from public access, though law enforcement agencies may retain the records for internal use pursuant to RSA 651:5, X.
Rockingham County Superior Court
10 Route 125
Brentwood, NH 03833
Phone: (855) 212-1234
NH Judicial Branch
10th Circuit Court - District Division - Plaistow
17 Elm Street
Plaistow, NH 03865
Phone: (855) 212-1234
NH Circuit Courts