Aroostook County Arrest Records

In Maine, there are several laws governing the process of making arrests. For example, Title 15, §214 addresses arrests conducted with the knowledge of an existing situation, while, Title 17-A, §16 pertains to arrests made without a warrant by a private citizen. Additionally, Title 14, §3135 outlines civil order arrests. Generally, these statutes establish that an arrest will likely ensue if there is sufficient reason to believe that an individual is engaged in violating a court order, threatening public peace, or breaking the law. This legal framework is designed to uphold the safety and security of law-abiding citizens and promote the community's overall well-being and progress.

When a person is arrested, their freedom is restricted, and they are usually detained in a jail facility while awaiting trial or bail. During this process, their information is recorded and entered into the booking system, which subsequently becomes Aroostook County arrest records. These arrest records constitute a significant component of Aroostook County court records and Aroostook criminal records, serving as the foundation for any legal proceedings or investigations. In Aroostook County, the arresting agency maintains and distributes these arrest records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Aroostook County?

Yes. Under the Maine Freedom of Access Law, citizens are allowed to obtain and copy arrest records. Nevertheless, Chapter 13, Title 1 Subtitle 432 of the Maine Revised Status prohibits public access to certain arrest records containing the following:

• Personal and Confidential Information: Some details classified as personal or confidential are deemed sensitive and are not included in public arrest records. This category of information typically consists of social security numbers, as well as credit and financial information
• Investigative Information of Ongoing Cases: To maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations and prevent compromise, information gathered during the investigation related to an arrest or associated events is generally not available for public viewing
• Juvenile Records: Records on minors are protected by law and are considered confidential

Although exceptions exist, it is not unheard of for these records to be accessed with a court order. Members of the justice system also have access to these confidential records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Certain types of information contained within an arrest record are accessible to the public. This information typically includes:

Full name: This includes both names, first and last, and any other alias name of the individual who was arrested

Mugshot: As a means of instant identification, photographs are taken during the booking process showing from the shoulder up

Charges: The specific offenses or criminal charges that the individual is facing are documented in the arrest record, providing insight into the nature of the alleged criminal activities

Conditions for bail: Information regarding any bail conditions set by the court, which may outline the terms under which the arrested individual can be released from custody

Arresting Agency: The law enforcement agency that executed the arrest is listed

Aroostook County Arrest Statistics

The Maine State Police, part of the Department of Public Safety, issues an annual report detailing crimes and arrests throughout the state. Each law enforcement agency submits its arrest data individually.

According to the Sheriff's Office, which served a population of 29,262, there were 299 arrests in 2022, 288 of which were adults and 11 were minors. The arrest rate was 1,021.8 per 100,000 residents. The breakdown of these arrests includes 149 for Group A offenses and 153 for Group B offenses.

The Ashland Police Department, covering a population of 1,184, recorded 25 arrests, 23 of which involved adults. Arrests per 100,000 residents stood at 2,111.5. Of these, 13 were for Group A offenses, and 12 were for Group B offenses.

In comparison, the Sheriff's Office reported a total population of 29,520 in 2021, with 273 arrests 263 of which were adults resulting in an arrest rate of 924.8 per 100,000. Of these arrests, 125 were for Group A offenses whereas 148 were for Group B offenses.

During the same year, the Ashland Police Department served a population of 1,206 and recorded just one arrest, translating to an arrest rate of 82.9 per 100,000. This included no arrests for Group A offenses and one for a Group B offense.

For those seeking statistics from additional arresting agencies, the publication provides access to this information.

Find Aroostook County Arrest Records

Members of the public can obtain Aroostook County arrest records by visiting the law enforcement agency that made the arrest or by sending a written request via mail. If the arresting agency is unknown, individuals can visit the Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Additionally, residents can approach any government agency that maintains these records, submit a request by phone or mail to the relevant administrative office, or access the records online through the official information database.

To obtain Aroostook County arrest records in person, interested residents can visit the Clerk of Court's office located at 144 Sweden Street, Suite 1, Caribou, Maine 04736, during business hours. Residents may also call the administrative office at (207) 493-3318 to inquire about arrest records. Residents need to provide a valid form of identification, along with the full name and date of birth of the individual being searched, to facilitate the arrest record search process.

Another reliable method for obtaining arrest records online is through the Criminal History database maintained by the Maine State Police and the Department of Public Safety. This database can be used to access arrest records from Aroostook County that are less than a year old and have not reached final disposition. The Maine State Bureau of Identification offers two types of checks for citizens:

• Name-Based Check: Inquirers can obtain information about an offender's arrest by providing the full name and date of birth of the individual in question
• Fingerprint-Based Check: This method requires the physical submission of fingerprints, either by mail or in person, which allows for a precise match in the database, as no two individuals share the same fingerprints

Results from the arrest record search will be returned by mail within twelve hours of the request, provided that the applicable fees for the inquiry have been paid.

Free Arrest Record Search in Aroostook County

Inquirers can access arrest records from government agencies for free by inspecting the records onsite. Citizens can visit the relevant law enforcement agency to make their inquiries directly.

Additionally, third-party websites provide quick access to multiple sources of arrest records. While many of these sites offer access at no cost, users should be aware that there are both advantages and disadvantages to using these services. Nonetheless, individuals can generally obtain some information without incurring fees.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records remain on an individual's record indefinitely in Aroostook County, Maine, as there are no laws in place regarding expungement, sealing, or expunction. Following an arrest, the booking process automatically enters the individual into the criminal history information database. As a result, when residents search for arrest records, the results do not indicate whether the arrest led to a conviction or show the specifics of the arrest procedures, even if the individual was later proven innocent. Instead, the search results will either indicate that "no result was found" or that the individual has been charged with a crime.

Expunge Aroostook County Arrest Records

Currently, Aroostook County does not have an expungement procedure. Instead, there is a process for "Executive Clemency," which grants the sitting Governor of Maine the authority to reduce an incarcerated individual's sentence or restrict public access to that individual’s criminal history after they have served five years of their sentence. An objective pardon keeps the arrest record confidential, while a subjective pardon allows for public access to the arrest record.

The application process for Executive Clemency involves completing an application form and participating in interviews and court hearings.

Aroostook County Arrest Warrants

An Aroostook arrest warrant is usually one of the foremost steps in a criminal procedure. It is a command form issued by a judicial official to an officer of peace when there is probable cause to believe that an individual is involved in a crime of misdemeanor or felony. The peace officer details the probable cause in a complaint form or affidavit sworn before a court.

After sufficient evidence is established in the complaint by the peace officer, the judicial officer grants the arrest warrant for the arrest of the defendant. The arrest warrant contains the signature of the issuing Judge, the arrestee’s name and alternative name, the known location/address of the subject, date of birth, name of the court issuing the warrant, crime charges, and other pending charges, if any.

Do Aroostook County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, an Aroostook arrest warrant never expires. It remains active until the defendant is taken into custody or brought before a court. The defendant’s attorney can, however, negotiate with the judicial authorities to obtain bail or dispose of the warrant and arrange for another court date.