Penobscot County Arrest Records

In Penobscot County, Maine, arrest records serve as a critical resource for law enforcement, legal professionals, and members of the public. These records, created by the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, document a person's apprehension and related charges. Arrest records are essential for tracking legal processes and are a significant part of defense and prosecution during criminal cases. Once an arrest becomes part of the court system and is relevant to judicial proceedings, it may also be featured within Penobscot County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Penobscot County?

Under Maine's Freedom of Access Act (F.O.A.A.), arrest records in Penobscot County are generally considered public records, as specified by 1 M.R.S. § 402. Law enforcement agencies are required to document arrest details and make them available for public inspection unless exempted by law. However, certain records are confidential, including:

• Juvenile arrest records: Records involving individuals under 18 are typically confidential under 15 M.R.S. § 3308.
• Sealed or expunged records: Arrest records that have been ordered sealed by the court.
• Investigative materials: Documents related to ongoing investigations may be restricted from public view under 16 M.R.S. § 614.
• Personal identifying information: Confidential details such as social security numbers, medical records, and financial data are not publicly available.

Additionally, records of arrests that did not result in conviction and are older than one year may be restricted under 16 M.R.S. § 703.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Penobscot County arrest records that are publicly accessible usually include the following details:

• Name, age, and address of the arrested person
• The alleged offense and the state law allegedly violated
• Location, date, and time of the arrest
• Circumstances of the arrest, including whether force was used or if the arrestee resisted

Penobscot County Crime Rate

The Crime in Maine 2022 report, which utilizes the F.B.I.'s National Incident-Based Reporting System (N.I.B.R.S.), provides comprehensive crime statistics for Penobscot County. In 2022, Penobscot County recorded 5,851 reported crimes, reflecting a nearly 10% decrease from the previous year's total of 6,141. The Penobscot County Sheriff's Office reported 1,001 crimes in its jurisdiction and a crime rate of 1,626 crimes per 100,000. The Sheriff's reports accounted for 17% of the total crimes in the county.

Penobscot County Arrest Statistics

The 2022 Crime in Maine report does not account for all arrests in Penobscot County. However, the publication covers arrests performed by the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office.

Total arrests under the county sheriff's purview came to 462 that year, with 453 adult arrests and 9 juvenile arrests. The arrest rate per the Sheriff's report came to 750.5 arrests per 100,000 population with an average number of offenses per incident of 1.08

Find Penobscot County Arrest Records

The procedure for finding Penobscot County arrest records varies with the agency in charge of the arrest. The Penobscot County Sheriff's office typically carries out arrests, but may also be done by city or town police departments. For example, the Bangor Police Department handles arrests within Bangor city limits, while the Sheriff's Office manages incidents in unincorporated areas and smaller towns. After an individual is arrested, they are generally processed at the Penobscot County Jail, which is managed by the Sheriff's Office's Correctional Division.

The Sheriff's Office provides an Inmate Search Database with which members of the public can view information on arrested persons being held in sentenced or pretrial status. Searches may be performed using the arrestee's name, and users can expect to obtain inmate information such as the booking date, inmate biodata, inmate I.D., and the arresting agency. Also featured are the inmate's inmate location, their charges, and statute(s) violated, as well as bond information (where applicable).

Alternatively, inquirers may query the Department's Records Division in person or via mail. Record requests should be written and contain information about the subject of the record. Requests should be addressed to:

Records Division,
Penobscot County Sheriff's Office,
85 Hammond St.,
Bangor, Maine 04401
Phone: (207) 947-4585

The Maine Department of Corrections also operates the Adult Resident/Community Corrections Client Search Service, which allows users to search for inmates in state facilities by name or M.D.O.C. number. The service offers details such as offense type, sentencing information, and whether the individual is currently in custody or out on parole.

In cases where individuals are arrested for federal offenses, federal law enforcement agencies, such as the F.B.I. or U.S. Marshals Service, are typically responsible for the arrest. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) offers an online Inmate Locator tool that allows the public to search for individuals held in federal custody. Additionally, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) provides an Online Detainee Locator System to find individuals arrested for immigration-related offenses.

Free Arrest Record Search in Penobscot County

Arrest records in Penobscot County are not generally available for free when requested from official sources, as there are typically administrative fees associated with reproducing documents. However, many third-party websites provide free access to public arrest records from law enforcement agencies, including those in Penobscot County. Additionally, online search tools provided by state and federal agencies, such as the Maine Department of Corrections, I.C.E., and B.O.P., offer free searches for individuals currently in custody.

Get Penobscot County Criminal Records

Criminal case files are typically available through the Penobscot County Superior Court or District Courts. Individuals can also obtain these records by submitting a Record Search Request Form to the Maine Judicial Branch Service Center.

The request must include the full name and date of birth of the individual whose records are being sought. If an alias is used, a separate request must be made, with additional fees incurred. A criminal record search in Penobscot County costs $20 per court location and name. Copies of documents such as court orders, complaints, or motions cost $2 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Certified copies can also be requested for an additional fee of $5 per document.

Criminal history record requests are available through the Maine State Bureau of Identification. Individuals can run name-based searches, though it is important to note that this method may return multiple potential matches. A fingerprint-based search is recommended for those seeking exact results.

The cost of a name-based search is $31, though residents of Maine who are subscribed to the bureau's third-party vendor service can access it for $21. Search results are typically returned via email within two hours, though manual searches may take longer to process.

Penobscot County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

While arrest records are important for tracking an individual's interactions with law enforcement, they do not equate to a determination of guilt. Arrest records only detail the circumstances surrounding an arrest. In contrast, criminal records provide a more comprehensive overview of an individual's progression through the criminal justice system, including any charges, convictions, and sentences.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records in Penobscot County, like the rest of Maine, remain part of a permanent criminal record unless they are sealed or expunged. Even if the arrest did not lead to a conviction, the record can still be accessible unless specific action is taken to have it sealed.

Expunge Penobscot County Arrest Records

Maine law allows certain arrest records to be sealed, but full expungement is not available. Sealing records removes them from public access, though law enforcement and judicial agencies can still view sealed records.

To seal a Penobscot County arrest record, the individual must meet certain eligibility criteria under Maine law, including:

• The conviction must be for a Class E misdemeanor, such as minor theft or disorderly conduct, excluding sexual offenses or drug trafficking.
• At least four years must have passed since the individual completed their sentence, including probation and any fines.
• The person must not have any pending charges or subsequent convictions at the time of the petition.
• The individual must not have participated in any criminal activity that resulted in a dismissal due to deferred disposition.

Eligible individuals must file a Motion to Seal Criminal History (CR-218) with the court that handled their case. The court will review the motion and, if granted, order the Maine State Bureau of Identification (S.B.I.) to seal the record. The petitioner will be notified of the final decision by mail.

Even after sealing, certain agencies and individuals may still have access to the records if legally justifiable. This includes law enforcement agencies for ongoing investigations and individuals seeking to have the record sealed. Courts may also access sealed records for particular legal proceedings.

Penobscot County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Penobscot County, Maine, are formal legal documents issued by judicial authorities. These warrants authorize law enforcement officers to detain individuals and bring them before a court of law. Penobscot County's arrest warrants are commonly issued after prosecutors file indictments or formal charging instruments per 15 M.R.S.A. § 701. They can also be issued when peace officers or prosecutors submit complaints or for individuals in contempt of court.

A typical arrest warrant in Penobscot County includes the individual's name or alias, a physical description if available, the subject's birth date, and the specific crime for which they are being charged.

Penobscot County Arrest Warrant Search

To determine whether an arrest warrant has been issued in Penobscot County, citizens can inquire directly with the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office or local police departments to see if one has been issued for them or someone else.

Individuals may also request court records from the Maine Judicial Branch Service Center by completing a Record Search Request Form and indicating the type of record desired. The request may provide access to criminal records, which often include information about outstanding arrest warrants relating to the subject of the record.

Do Penobscot County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Penobscot County do not expire. Once a warrant is issued, it remains active until the individual named in the warrant is apprehended and brought before a judge to address the underlying charges. However, warrants may be recalled or quashed under certain circumstances. A judge may choose to recall a warrant if the individual resolves the legal issues that prompted the warrant, such as by paying fines or completing court-mandated obligations. In other cases, a warrant may be quashed if the charges against the individual are dismissed or they are cleared of the alleged crime.