Somerset County Arrest Records

In Somerset County, arrest records are important components of the county's law enforcement and judicial system. They document when law enforcement officers detain individuals suspected of committing a crime. Arrests become necessary when a law enforcement officer has probable cause, supported by facts and evidence, that an individual has committed a crime. Probable cause may arise during criminal investigation, an officer's observation of a crime, or a judge's issuance of an arrest warrant.

Once an individual is arrested in Somerset County, they are typically booked and held at the Somerset County Jail which is operated by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing and entering personal arrest-related information into the county's system. Inmates held at the jail may either await trail, sentencing or serve a sentence if it is a short term incarceration.

The Somerset County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for generating arrest records, which include details such as date, time, and nature of arrest. These arrest records are interconnected with other public documents, such as Somerset County Court Records, which contain information on the judicial proceedings that follow an arrest. These records are also linked to other criminal records, including criminal history reports maintained by the Maine Department of Public Safety, which plays a role in maintaining a statewide repository of criminal information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Somerset County?

Per Maine law, specifically the Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) (Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes), arrest records are generally considered public information. This means that members of the public have the right to access and inspect arrest records with certain limitations. The purpose of this act is to ensure transparency and accountability in government operations.

However, not all information in arrest records is accessible to the public. Exemptions exist to protect sensitive information, including:

• Information that could jeopardize an active investigation is often withheld.
• Victims of crimes, such as minors and victims of sexual crimes, have their identities protected.
• Arrests involving minors are sealed and not available to the public in accordance with state laws on juvenile privacy.
• Records containing personal medical or mental health details may be exempt from public disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws.

While arrest records are largely public, accessing them may require a formal request through the relevant law enforcement or judicial body.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Somerset County typically contain details related to the arrest and the individual in question. The following information is usually included:

• Personal information: The full name, age, date of birth, and gender of the arrested person.
• Arrest details: Date, time, and location of the arrest, as well as the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
• Charges filed: A description of the alleged offense or criminal charges filed against the individual, including references to specific statutes or laws violated
• Booking information, including fingerprints and mugshots
• Bail/Bond information: information on whether the individual is eligible for bail, the amount and conditions for release
• Scheduled court appearances, including arraignment and trial dates.

However, sensitive information such as witness details, undercover operations, and protected personal data is generally excluded from public arrest records.

Somerset County Arrest Statistics

According to the Maine Crime report 2022, Somerset County, Maine, amassed a total of 31, 559 arrests resulting from 6% juvenile arrests and 94% adult arrests.

Find Somerset County Arrest Records

If you are looking to access arrest records in Somerset County, there are several resources available at both state and federal levels:

• Somerset Sheriff's office may be contacted directly to request arrest records. You may be required to submit a request or visit in person to obtain the records.
• The Maine Department of Public Safety is another resource. It is a State department that maintains a repository of criminal and arrest records. Maine also offers an online portal, the Maine State Police Public Criminal History Record Search, where individuals may search for criminal records, including arrest records.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), through its Criminal Justice Services (CJIS) Division, the FBI provides access to nationwide arrest and criminal records. A request for more comprehensive data may be submitted through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
• Somerset County Court Records is also another resource where arrest records may be found in the county.

Free Arrest Record Search in Somerset County

While obtaining arrest records may sometimes involve fees, there are few free resources available for search arrest information in Somerset County.

• Somerset County Sheriff's Office Website is available for individuals to search for recent arrests or active inmates at no cost.
• The Maine judiciary also provides free access to records through the Maine eCourts Portal, which contains arrest details relating to court cases.
• Third-party websites may also provide free or low-search resources, although they may be inaccurate, incomplete, or not updated.

Somerset County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and Criminal records serve different purposes, though they are often closely related.

• Arrest records document when an individual is taken to custody by law enforcement, whereas Criminal record reflects an individual’s complete criminal history, including convictions and sentences
• Not all arrests result in criminal charges, and not all criminal charges result in convictions.
• A person may have an arrest record but no criminal records if the charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted. Conversely, a criminal record will include information on any convictions, sentencing, and incarcerations that may not be present in an arrest record.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Maine, arrest records generally remain part of a person's criminal history indefinitely unless specific legal action is taken to remove them. Even if an arrest does not lead to a conviction, the record of that arrest may still exist unless expunged or sealed by a court.

Expunge Somerset County Arrest Records

Somerset County, Maine, does not allow expungement of arrest records, rather, they provide for Sealing of records. Per 15 M.R.S § 2264, When an individual's arrest records are sealed, that individual may respond to all enquiries about the arrest as if it never happened. Although the records are not completely erased, it shall not be accessible to employers, landlords, school admission officers, lenders and third parties.

Criminal convictions that may be sealed include the following:

• A current or former class E crime (excluding certain sexual assaults)
• A conviction for certain Marijuana-related crimes

Further requirements include:

• Four years have passed since the individual fully completed this assigned sentence, which may include probation, imprisonment, administrative release, payment of fine community service, or suspension of license.
• The individual has no adult criminal conviction in Maine and has not had a case dismissed because of deferring disposition since the completion of the offense.
• The individual has not been convicted of any other crime in another jurisdiction since completing the sentence.
• The individual has no pending charges in Maine Court or any other state and federal courts.

Individuals who qualify for the following requirements may follow the information below to have their arrests sealed.

• Obtain the Motion to Seal Criminal History (CR-218) on the forms page of the judicial branch website or from any district court Clerk's Office office.
• Return the completed form to the clerk's office for the court in which the conviction occurred.
• You may hire an attorney to file the form or fill it yourself. The state will be represented by the prosecutor who handled the original case.
• The court will order a hearing and grant the motion if all requirements are fulfilled.
• Following this, an order sealing the conviction is issued by the court and notice sent to the State Bureau of Identification who will seal the conviction and send a mail to the individual that the conviction has been sealed.

Somerset County Arrest Warrants

Per Maine Revised Statutes Title 15 §654, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest an individual. In Somerset County, warrants are typically issued based on probable cause, which may arise from a Police investigation or a criminal complaint. The warrant contains details about the individual to be arrested, the offense they are charged with, and the legal grounds and authority for arrest.

Do Somerset County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Maine, arrest warrants do not automatically expire. They remain active until the individual is arrested, the warrant is quashed by the issuing court, or the status of the limitations for the offense expires. However, warrants for minor offenses such as misdemeanors may become a lower priority for law enforcement over time, while warrants for serious crimes remain a top priority for enforcement.