Washington County Arrest Records

In Washington County, Maine, peace officers make arrests when there's sufficient evidence that an individual violated the law. Arrests may also occur to prevent a potential loss of life or property. Note that officers may conduct arrests with or without an arrest warrant. Arrested persons are temporarily detained in the county jail pending the outcome of further investigations.

Washington County arrest records are under the purview of the county sheriff's office. The agency is primarily responsible for generating and disclosing the records to the public.

Public members can also access arrest information in other public documents. Case in point: Washington County court records concerning criminal cases may include some arrest data. You may find arrest charges, booking date, and bond amount in criminal case files. Inmate records are also an alternative option for finding arrest records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

The Maine Freedom of Access Act classifies most arrest records as public documents. This means the public can request and obtain the record from public entities. These entities are legally required to provide access to documents in their custody. Furthermore, they may choose to grant or deny access to the records.

In Washington County, the county sheriff's office allows access to police reports. Persons or entities can obtain the records by visiting the county sheriff at:

85 Court Street
Machias, ME 04654
Phone: (207) 255-3127

Public entities may opt to deny access to certain arrest records. Such exempted records contain information whose disclosure is judged not to be in the public interest. That being said, the following records are exempt from public access:

• Arrest documents that are part of an ongoing investigation
• Sensitive or private data concerning crime victims.
• Arrest information concerning juvenile arrestees.

Washington County Arrest Statistics

Maine State Police creates an annual statistics report for all arrest events in the county. According to the agency's report, Washington County documented 585 arrests in 2023. There are no county-level inmate reports in Maine. The Maine Department of Corrections revealed that the state's correctional center housed a total of 1,669 inmates in 2023.

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Public members can find Washington County arrest records at the county sheriff's office and in inmate records. The records typically contain arrest information such as the arrestee's name, physical description, arrest charges, date and location, and the arresting agency's name.

Interested parties can view inmate records by using online repositories maintained by public agencies. The Maine Department of Corrections, via the adult resident search, maintains online access to inmate records. To view records on the platform, record seekers must fill out relevant information like the inmate's name, gender, age range, weight, current status, and offense type.

Conversely, you can look up inmate records through the Federal Bureau of Prisons' inmate locator. The platform offers access to arrest information of inmates held in federal correctional centers.

Washington County Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

Washington County arrest and criminal records contain information on crime-related activities. However, the records are quite distinct regarding custodian agency, content, and societal implications.

Arrest records typically provide access to information created or received about arrest events. They may include the arrestee's name, mugshots, physical description, evidence, and booking date. However, criminal records are more comprehensive and include arrest, court, and sentencing information.

Arresting agencies like the county sheriff's office are the official custodians of arrest records. They are also responsible for creating the records. However, you will find criminal records under the purview of the Maine State Police and the judicial system. The agency creates criminal records by collecting related information from other public agencies.

Arrest records do not reveal if the arrestee is guilty of the offense. However, criminal records contain information on court convictions. Offenders may face statutory restrictions or discrimination in society.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Washington County, Maine, arrest records will remain on your record until they are sealed. Note that the state laws do not allow expungement of arrest records; you can only seal portions of your arrest records. Furthermore, you can only seal class E crimes, which are punishable by a $1,000 fine or six months of jail time.

To seal arrest records, you must meet the following criteria:

• The offense was committed between the ages of 18 and 27.
• It has been more than four years since you completed the sentence.
• You have not been convicted of a crime since you completed the sentence.
• There are no pending criminal charges.

You can seal arrest records by filing a Motion to Seal Criminal History (CR-218) at a court of competent jurisdiction.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants, or civil orders of arrest, are court orders that direct the sheriff's office to arrest defendants and to bring them before the court. The court only issues a civil order of arrest to apprehend debtors. Other judicial warrants may include bench warrants and warrants for failing to respond to a court subpoena.

Arrest warrants issued in Washington County must provide information on the following:

• The defendant's name, known aliases, and birth date.
• A criminal charge
• Information concerning the location and identity of the defendant.
• The court information.

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Washington County, arrest warrants do not have an expiration date. However, they become inactive when the court revokes them or the offenders get arrested. Note that the statute of limitations does not affect the lifespan of an arrest warrant. Washington County, Maine,has a central database for finding active warrants. Inquirers must visit local law enforcement agencies or the courts to view records in the database.