>Franklin County Arrest Records Online

Franklin County, Vermont Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County, Vermont?

Arrest records in Franklin County, Vermont are public documents pursuant to Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320). This legislation establishes that records produced or acquired by public agencies during governmental operations shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Vermont Public Records Act mandates that law enforcement agencies, including those in Franklin County, maintain transparency by providing access to arrest records, booking information, and related documentation.

The Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC), operating under the Department of Public Safety, serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state. Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency, which must respond within statutorily defined timeframes. Under 1 V.S.A. § 318, agencies must respond to requests promptly, but no later than three business days from receipt of the request.

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with 1 V.S.A. § 317(c), which outlines specific exemptions to public disclosure. These exemptions include personal identifiers of victims, information related to ongoing investigations, and juvenile records. The Vermont State Police maintains detailed guidelines regarding public access to arrest information in compliance with state transparency requirements.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Franklin County?

Franklin County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by state and local government agencies. The Vermont Crime Information Center's Record Service provides a centralized online portal where members of the public may request criminal history information, including arrest records. This service operates under the authority granted by 20 V.S.A. § 2056a-c, which establishes parameters for public access to criminal history data.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Department and the St. Albans Police Department maintain digital databases that may include recent arrest information. Additionally, the Vermont Judiciary offers online access to court dockets through its public portal, where case information related to arrests may be viewed. These electronic resources are designed to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with privacy protections mandated by state law.

It should be noted that online access may be subject to user fees as permitted under 1 V.S.A. § 316(d), which allows agencies to charge reasonable costs associated with providing digital copies of public records. The Vermont Department of Corrections also maintains an inmate locator system that provides information about individuals currently in custody following arrest.

How to Look Up Franklin County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Franklin County have multiple avenues available for conducting searches:

Franklin County Sheriff's Department
5 Fairfield Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-2121
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

St. Albans Police Department
90 North Main Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-2166
St. Albans Police Department
Hours: 24 hours daily

Vermont State Police - St. Albans Barracks
140 Fisher Pond Road
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-5993
St. Albans Barracks
Hours: 24 hours daily

Franklin County Superior Court
36 Lake Street
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-7997
Vermont Judiciary
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Requestors may submit written requests for arrest records pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 318, which requires inclusion of contact information and a reasonably specific description of the records sought. Agencies may require completion of standardized request forms. For electronic requests, the Vermont Public Records Request System provides a centralized portal.

When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth or approximate age
Date or approximate timeframe of arrest
Case or docket number (if known)
Requestor's contact information

Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 316, agencies may assess reasonable fees for the cost of copying or staff time associated with fulfilling records requests exceeding 30 minutes.

Contents of a Franklin County Arrest Record

Franklin County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. These records are maintained in accordance with 20 V.S.A. § 2053, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information. Standard arrest records include:

Subject's full legal name and any known aliases
Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory charges filed pursuant to Vermont Criminal Code
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 2061
Detention status and bail determination
Case disposition information when available

The Franklin County State's Attorney's Office maintains prosecutorial records related to arrests, which may include charging documents and court filings. These records are subject to public inspection under 1 V.S.A. § 317, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations.

Arrest records may also contain supplementary information such as incident reports, witness statements, and evidence inventories. However, access to these materials may be restricted during pending investigations pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317(c)(5), which exempts records dealing with the detection and investigation of crime where disclosure could harm the public interest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Franklin County

Vermont law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 7601-7610, individuals may petition for expungement if:

The charge was dismissed before trial
The individual was acquitted at trial
The statute of limitations expired before prosecution
The individual successfully completed a diversion program
The conviction qualifies under statutory eligibility criteria

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Franklin County Superior Court, Criminal Division. Upon receipt of a petition, the court notifies the Vermont Crime Information Center and the State's Attorney's Office, which have 45 days to respond. If the petition meets statutory requirements and no objections are filed, the court may grant expungement without a hearing.

When expungement is granted, all records related to the arrest are sealed or destroyed pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 7606. The individual may lawfully claim that the arrest never occurred, and the records become inaccessible to the public. However, certain agencies, including law enforcement and the courts, may retain limited access to sealed records for specific purposes authorized by statute.

The Vermont Attorney General's Office periodically conducts expungement clinics in Franklin County to assist eligible individuals with the process. These clinics provide guidance on completing necessary paperwork and navigating the legal requirements for expungement.

Search Arrest Records in Franklin County.

Cities

St. Albans St. Albans