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  1. Fairfield County Court
  2. Fairfield County Arrest Records

Fairfield County, Connecticut Arrest Records

Fairfield County arrest records are documents created by police officers whenever someone is taken into custody. Local police departments, such as the Fairfield and the Bridgeport Police Departments, are the custodians of these records. They also have a responsibility to make arrest records available to the public under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. This Act does not cover criminal offender record information. Fairfield County has separate legislation governing criminal offender record information, specifically CT Gen. Stat. § 54-142i. 

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Fairfield, Connecticut?

Yes. Arrest records in Fairfield County are public documents according to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. Everyone has the right to inspect or copy arrest records promptly during the record custodian's regular office or business hours. Law enforcement agencies in Fairfield County make these records available to residents and non-residents. They also do not require identification to access arrest documents.

What Do Public Fairfield County Arrest Records Contain?

A public Fairfield County arrest record normally includes the following information:

  • The full name, race, and last known address of the person apprehended 
  • Date, time, and place of arrest
  • The offense or charge under which the individual was arrested
  • Booking information, including the time and date when an individual was received into, discharged from, or transferred from the arresting agency's custody 

Some information about an arrest is restricted from public disclosure under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, including

  • Investigative techniques 
  • Juvenile arrest records
  • A sexual assault victim's name and address 
  • Any arrest records whose disclosure will compromise ongoing investigations

Fairfield County, Connecticut Arrest Search

Individuals may find Fairfield County arrest records through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). FBI checks are nationwide, meaning that so long as an arrest was reported to the FBI, it will appear in the report issued after the check. However, these records are released only to the subjects of the record. Eligible individuals may submit requests by mail, online, or through approved channelers for a $18 fee.

Citizens may also conduct statewide arrest record searches through the Connecticut State Police's Bureau of Identification. Guidelines for submitting such requests are provided on the Bureau's website, but requesters should note that checks are strictly fingerprint-supported and are restricted to authorized persons, such as the record's subject. 

Fairfield County Inmate Locator

Fairfield County does not have a Sheriff's Office that maintains a jail roster or an inmate locator where basic arrest and booking information can be found. Anyone seeking arrest information for the detainee or inmate population may contact the agency that made the arrest or search the Connecticut Department of Correction (CT DOC) centralized Inmate Information Search Portal for booking and custody information. The DOC's inmate search portal allows the public to look up pre-trial and sentenced offenders by name, date of birth, or CT DOC number.

Among the DOC's facility network, several facilities, including the Bridgeport Correctional Center and York Correctional Institution, serve Fairfield County. The addresses and contact numbers for these facilities can be found on the DOC's Facilities page.

Active Warrant Search in Fairfield County

An arrest warrant sanctions law enforcement to arrest a specific suspect. A Fairfield County judge issues an arrest warrant when there is probable cause to believe that an accused has committed a crime. A typical arrest warrant contains the following information:

  • The defendant's name or identifying description that can help locate them
  • A command that the accused person be arrested and brought before the issuing court
  • The offense committed by the defendant 
  • The issuing date and time
  • The judge's signature and title of office

Fairfield County arrest warrants are public records under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act. Therefore, anyone may visit a local agency to inquire about active warrants in person. Requests will need a name to access such records. 

Alternatively, record seekers may use the Arrest Warrant Search portal maintained by the Connecticut Judicial Branch to view open arrest warrants (Violation of Probation or Failure to Appear, and Orders to Incarcerate). The search parameters include name, town, or court location.

Agency / Resource

Purpose

Search Methods

Notes

Connecticut Judicial Branch 

Issues and maintains warrants

Online

Access the Arrest Warrant Search Portal

Law enforcement (e.g., Fairfield Police Department)

Serve warrants

Typically in person

Immediate arrest and detention accompany outstanding warrants in the inquirer's name

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Fairfield County

Individuals may use the Connecticut Judicial Branch's Criminal Lookup Tool to view information related to Fairfield County arrests pending on the court docket for free. The search criteria include the defendant's name or docket number.

Although the Connecticut Department of Correction maintains an Inmate Information Search tool that allows members of the public to find information about pre-trial Fairfield County detainees, what is available through the platform is simply booking information, the bond amount (if any), and the controlling offense (that which brought the individual to jail)

Note that free tools have significant limitations. Typically, they will not display expunged or older arrest records, nor will they provide complete records. As such, sourced information cannot be used for official purposes.

Fairfield County Arrest Report

An arrest report differs from an arrest record in Fairfield County. An arrest record is a summary entry of an arrest, including the arrestee's name, charges, and arrest date. An arrest report, meanwhile, is a detailed written narrative by a police officer that describes the facts and circumstances surrounding the arrest. Under Connecticut law, arrest reports are more restricted.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Fairfield County

Expungement is known as an absolute pardon in Fairfield County, which results in the complete erasure of arrest records. According to the C.G.S. § 54-142a, individuals need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for expungement:

  • A dismissed case.
  • A non-guilty verdict.
  • A nolle prosequi in the Superior Court, and 13 months have passed since then.
  • The prosecuting attorney requested a continuance for the case, and 13 months have passed since no further actions were taken.
  • An absolute pardon for an offense.

There are waiting periods for expungement in Fairfield County. Eligible individuals may apply to expunge misdemeanor convictions after 3 years from the disposition date, and felony convictions after 5 years. Applicants must obtain the following documents before completing the Expungement application.

  • State police criminal history report (rap sheet)
  • A valid Driver's License or state ID
  • Letter from Adult Probation for any probation supervision period
  • A completed and Notarized Background Investigation Authorization (BIA) Form
  • A police report for any arrest that occurred within the last 10 years and resulted in a conviction
  • Proof of income (for example, most recent paystub or W-2, unemployment verification letter, disability benefits statement, or a letter from the source of financial support)
  • Absolute Pardon Reference Questionnaire Forms that have been completed by three people; only one of them may be a family member

Afterward, visit the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles and apply for expungement via the ePardon Portal. Upload all the above-mentioned documents on the portal in JPEG, PDF, or PNG format. 

The applicant has 6 months to complete the application once they begin the online process. After receiving the application, the staff will review it for completeness and eligibility. If the applicant is eligible, the staff will conduct a thorough background investigation and contact the applicant for a telephone interview. After the investigation, the application will be reviewed before the Board. If the applicant's expungement is granted, the offenses will be erased from the criminal record database. However, the applicant will have to wait one year to reapply if the expungement was denied.

How Do You Remove Fairfield County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Once the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles grants an expungement in Fairfield County, the State Police Bureau of Identification will remove the person's arrests from its criminal record database. However, the arrest information may remain available on third-party websites, as these sites frequently collect and republish public arrest data shortly after an arrest. 

People seeking to remove their arrest records from third-party platforms often have two options. Firstly, they may contact the third-party vendor directly to request voluntary removal and provide proof that the record has been removed. Secondly, they may hire an attorney or digital privacy firm to assist with coordinating the online removal process.