>Strafford County Arrest Records Online

Strafford County, New Hampshire Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Strafford County, New Hampshire?

Arrest records in Strafford County, New Hampshire are considered public documents pursuant to New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A). This statute establishes that governmental records shall be available to the public for inspection and reproduction. The New Hampshire Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that criminal justice records, including arrest information, fall within the scope of public records unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Strafford County Department of Corrections and local law enforcement agencies. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

Promoting transparency in the criminal justice system
Enabling public oversight of law enforcement activities
Providing information relevant to public safety
Supporting journalistic reporting on criminal activity

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under RSA 91-A:5, including juvenile records, ongoing investigation materials, and records that would constitute an invasion of privacy if released. Additionally, records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Strafford County?

Strafford County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and authorized third-party providers. The Dover Police Department publishes weekly arrest logs on their official website, providing the public with current information about recent arrests within their jurisdiction.

Online access to arrest records is governed by RSA 91-A:4, which states that public bodies or agencies shall maintain governmental records in a manner that makes them accessible to the public. The statute further provides that public bodies may, but are not required to, make records available by electronic means.

Users should be aware of the following limitations when searching for arrest records online:

Not all records may be digitized or available through online platforms
Some online systems may require registration or payment of fees
Records may be updated at different intervals depending on the agency
Certain identifying information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws

Strafford County Department of Corrections
266 County Farm Road
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 742-3310
Official Website

How to Look Up Strafford County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Strafford County arrest records may utilize several authorized methods established by New Hampshire statutes and county procedures. The Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A:4) stipulates that every citizen has the right to inspect governmental records during the regular business hours of all public bodies or agencies.

To obtain arrest records in Strafford County, the following official channels are available:

Submit a written request to the Strafford County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
Visit the Strafford County Superior Court clerk's office to review court records related to arrests
Access the Dover Police Department's online arrest logs for recent arrest information
Utilize the pretrial programming records maintained by the county corrections department
Request records from the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit for statewide arrest information

Pursuant to RSA 91-A:4(IV), agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records. These fees are limited to the actual cost of providing the copies and may not include charges for labor costs or administrative activities.

Strafford County Superior Court
259 County Farm Road, Suite 301
Dover, NH 03820
(855) 212-1234
Official Website

Contents of a Strafford County Arrest Record

Strafford County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by New Hampshire law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These documents serve as official records of interactions between individuals and law enforcement agencies operating within county jurisdiction.

Standard arrest records in Strafford County typically include:

Demographic information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, address, and physical description)
Arrest details (date, time, location, and arresting agency)
Booking photograph ("mugshot") taken during processing
Fingerprint information collected at the time of booking
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable New Hampshire statutes
Case numbers assigned by the arresting agency and court system
Bail or bond information, including amounts and conditions
Court appearance dates and locations
Disposition information (if available) regarding the resolution of charges

The Strafford County Department of Corrections maintains these records in accordance with RSA 106-B:14, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information. Access to complete arrest records may require formal requests through appropriate channels and may be subject to verification of identity.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Strafford County

New Hampshire law provides mechanisms for the expungement or annulment of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in RSA 651:5. Individuals seeking to have their Strafford County arrest records expunged must petition the court that maintains jurisdiction over their case.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Strafford County include:

Completion of all terms of the sentence, including probation and payment of fines
Fulfillment of the waiting period specified by statute based on offense classification
Absence of subsequent criminal convictions during the waiting period
Demonstration that the expungement serves the public interest

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a Petition for Annulment with the Strafford County Superior Court or appropriate district court
Pay the required filing fee (currently $125 per petition)
Provide notice to the prosecutor's office that handled the original case
Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court
Receive a court order if the petition is granted

Upon successful expungement, RSA 651:5(X) stipulates that the person shall be treated in all respects as if they had never been arrested, convicted, or sentenced. However, certain agencies, including law enforcement and the courts, may retain access to expunged records for specific purposes authorized by statute.

Strafford County Attorney's Office
259 County Farm Road, Suite 201
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 749-2808
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Strafford County

Cities

Dover Rochester