Arrest records in Sullivan County, New Hampshire are considered public documents pursuant to the New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law (RSA 91-A). This statute establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be available to the public for inspection and reproduction. The law aims to ensure transparency in governmental proceedings and to provide public oversight of law enforcement activities and the criminal justice system.
Under New Hampshire law, specifically RSA 106-B:14, criminal history record information maintained by law enforcement agencies is generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions. These exceptions primarily relate to:
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties and makes non-exempt records available for public inspection in accordance with state law.
Sullivan County arrest records are increasingly available through online platforms, though comprehensive digital access varies by specific record type and age. The Sullivan County government website provides certain public safety information, including the "Fugitive of the Week" program that displays information about individuals with outstanding warrants.
For complete criminal history information, the New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit maintains the central repository for all criminal history record information in the state, including arrests that occurred in Sullivan County. Pursuant to RSA 106-B:14, members of the public may request criminal history record checks through the New Hampshire Criminal History Record Information system.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the following conditions:
Members of the public seeking Sullivan County arrest records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following official channels provide access to arrest information:
Sullivan County Sheriff's Office
14 Main Street
Newport, NH 03773
Phone: (603) 863-4200
Official Website
New Hampshire State Police Criminal Records Unit
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 223-3867
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM
Sullivan County Superior Court
14 Main Street
Newport, NH 03773
Phone: (855) 212-1234
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Court Information
Pursuant to RSA 106-B:14, requestors must complete the appropriate forms and pay the statutory fees when requesting official criminal history information. As of 2025, the fee structure for criminal history record checks is:
Sullivan County arrest records contain standardized information as required by New Hampshire law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:
The Sullivan County Department of Corrections maintains additional records for individuals who are processed into the county detention facility following arrest. These records include intake assessment information, classification data, and custody status.
It should be noted that arrest records document allegations only and do not constitute proof of guilt. Pursuant to constitutional principles, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
New Hampshire law provides mechanisms for the expungement or annulment of certain criminal records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by RSA 651:5, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures for petitioning the court to annul arrest and conviction records.
Individuals may petition for annulment of arrest records in Sullivan County if:
The annulment process requires:
When an annulment is granted, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in certain circumstances, such as sentencing for subsequent offenses or employment in specific sectors.
The Sullivan County Superior Court processes annulment petitions for cases that originated within the county. Petitioners may contact the court clerk for the appropriate forms and procedural guidance.