Bennington Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Bennington, Vermont?
Arrest records in Bennington, Vermont are considered public documents pursuant to the Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Bennington County. The Vermont Public Records Act operates under the presumption that government records shall be public unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Bennington Police Department, Vermont State Police, and the Bennington County Sheriff's Department maintain arrest records as part of their official documentation. These records become public once they are filed with the appropriate governmental agency. Members of the public seeking access to these records may obtain them through established procedures, subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations and individual privacy rights as outlined in 1 V.S.A. § 317(c).
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal interests, including:
- Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enabling public oversight of governmental functions
- Facilitating informed civic participation
- Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public concern
- Allowing individuals to verify the accuracy of information maintained about them
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions, particularly information that might compromise an active investigation or infringe upon protected privacy interests.
How to Look Up Bennington Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Bennington have several authorized methods available. The Vermont Public Records Act establishes that custodians of public records shall make such records available for inspection or copying during customary business hours.
In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
Bennington Police Department
118 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-1030
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Bennington County Sheriff's Department
811 US Route 7
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-4900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Bennington County Superior Court
207 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447-2700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to any of the above agencies. Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 318, public agencies must respond to requests promptly, and no later than three business days from receipt. Agencies may extend this period by an additional ten business days under specific circumstances outlined in the statute.
The Vermont Department of Public Safety's Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) maintains a centralized repository of arrest records and provides record checks for a statutory fee. Requests to this agency may be directed to:
Vermont Crime Information Center
45 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05671-1300
(802) 244-8727
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors should note that fees may apply for copying or certification of records. As established by 1 V.S.A. § 316, agencies may charge the actual cost of providing copies, not to exceed $0.25 per page for standard documents.
Contents of a Bennington Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Bennington law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Vermont statutes and departmental policies. These records typically document the circumstances and details surrounding an individual's arrest and subsequent processing through the criminal justice system.
Standard components of a Bennington arrest record include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Identification numbers (state ID, FBI number if applicable)
Arrest information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory authority for the arrest
- Probable cause statement or affidavit
- Miranda warning documentation
Offense details:
- Criminal charges filed (with reference to applicable Vermont statutes)
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor)
- Description of alleged criminal activity
- Presence of weapons or contraband
Processing information:
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Medical screening documentation
Judicial processing:
- Court docket number
- Arraignment information
- Bail or bond determination
- Preliminary hearing dates
- Case disposition (if resolved)
Pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 2056a, certain information contained within arrest records may be subject to restricted access, particularly when records involve juveniles, cases that have been expunged or sealed by court order, or matters involving victims of specific offenses whose privacy is protected by statute.
Law enforcement agencies in Bennington maintain these records in both physical and electronic formats, with increasing digitization of records management systems allowing for more efficient storage and retrieval of information when properly requested.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Bennington
Vermont law provides mechanisms through which individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. The legal framework for expungement is primarily established in 13 V.S.A. § 7601-7610, which outlines eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Expungement refers to the process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. Sealing of records restricts access to specified government entities while removing them from public view. The Bennington County Superior Court has jurisdiction over expungement petitions for arrests that occurred within the county.
Eligibility for expungement in Bennington generally includes:
- Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal (eligible for petition two years after the dismissal)
- Cases where charges were never filed following arrest (eligible after the statute of limitations expires)
- Certain misdemeanor convictions (eligible five years after completion of sentence)
- Specified felony convictions (eligible ten years after completion of sentence)
- Convictions for offenses that have been decriminalized subsequent to conviction
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a petition with the Bennington County Superior Court
- Provide notice to the Bennington County State's Attorney's Office
- Attend a hearing if the petition is contested
- Demonstrate compliance with statutory waiting periods
- Establish that expungement serves the interest of justice
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including:
- Sexual offenses requiring registration
- Violent felonies resulting in serious bodily injury
- Offenses committed against vulnerable persons
- Operating a vehicle under the influence resulting in death or serious bodily injury
Upon granting an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all agencies possessing records related to the arrest to seal or expunge such records. Pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 7606, agencies must comply with expungement orders within 30 days of receipt.
Individuals seeking expungement may obtain legal assistance through the Office of the Public Defender or Vermont Legal Aid if they meet financial eligibility requirements.
Vermont Legal Aid
118 South Main Street, Suite 2
Barre, VT 05641
(800) 889-2047
Search Arrest Records in Bennington
