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St. Albans Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Albans, Vermont?

Arrest records in St. Albans, Vermont are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Vermont Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access such information as essential to governmental transparency and accountability.

The St. Albans Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law and departmental policies. Records typically include information about individuals apprehended by law enforcement within the jurisdiction of St. Albans. Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317(c), certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified by statute.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should note that while these documents are public, the process for obtaining them follows established protocols designed to maintain record integrity while facilitating public access.

How to Look Up St. Albans Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in St. Albans, Vermont. The Vermont Public Records Act mandates that public agencies provide reasonable access to records during regular business hours. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:

Visit the St. Albans Police Department in person to submit a records request: St. Albans Police Department 90 North Main Street St. Albans, VT 05478 (802) 524-2166 Official Police Department Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Submit a request through the Vermont Department of Public Safety's online portal for records maintained by state agencies that may include St. Albans arrests.
Access the City of St. Albans website section for arrest data and weekly reports, which provides regularly updated information on local law enforcement activities.
Visit the Franklin County Superior Court to review public case files related to arrests: Franklin County Superior Court 36 Lake Street St. Albans, VT 05478 (802) 524-7993 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record retrieval. Pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 316, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying services and staff time required to fulfill requests exceeding 30 minutes.

Contents of a St. Albans Arrest Record

St. Albans arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Vermont law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, including citation of applicable Vermont statutes
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint information and unique identification numbers
Preliminary case disposition information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Custody status following arrest

The St. Albans Police Department maintains these records in accordance with the 2024 Annual Report protocols, which documented 1,177 arrests resulting in 1,859 criminal charges during the previous fiscal year. Records are maintained in both physical and digital formats to ensure preservation and accessibility.

Pursuant to 20 V.S.A. § 2056a, certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public release, particularly when records contain information about confidential informants, juvenile suspects, or details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Albans

Vermont law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. The Vermont legislature has established statutory frameworks governing this process through 13 V.S.A. § 7601-7610.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in St. Albans include:

Cases resulting in dismissal, acquittal, or no charges being filed may qualify for immediate expungement
Misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after a waiting period of 5 years following completion of sentence, provided no subsequent criminal convictions have occurred
Certain felony convictions may qualify after a 10-year waiting period, subject to judicial review
Marijuana-related offenses have specialized expungement provisions pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 7602
Deferred sentences that have been successfully completed typically qualify for expungement

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Franklin County Superior Court. Petitioners may request forms from:

Franklin County Superior Court Clerk's Office 36 Lake Street St. Albans, VT 05478 (802) 524-7993 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Upon successful expungement, all records related to the arrest are sealed or destroyed, and the individual may lawfully claim that the arrest never occurred. Law enforcement agencies, including the St. Albans Police Department, are required to remove expunged records from their publicly accessible databases in accordance with court orders.

Vermont's "Clean Slate" legislation, effective as of July 1, 2022, provides for automatic expungement of certain qualifying offenses without requiring petition filing. This process occurs administratively for eligible cases after the statutory waiting period has elapsed.

Limitations on Access to St. Albans Arrest Records

While arrest records in St. Albans are generally public, several statutory and procedural limitations govern their accessibility. These restrictions balance the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Key limitations include:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (individuals under 18) are confidential pursuant to 33 V.S.A. § 5117 and not available through standard public records requests
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under 1 V.S.A. § 317(c)(5)
Records sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and financial account details are redacted prior to release
Victims' identifying information in certain sensitive cases (e.g., sexual assault) may be withheld
Records may be subject to review by the St. Albans City Attorney prior to release

The St. Albans Police Department and other custodial agencies must evaluate each request against these statutory exemptions. Denials of access must cite specific statutory authority and may be appealed through administrative or judicial channels as provided in 1 V.S.A. § 319.

Requestors should note that while arrest records document that an arrest occurred, they do not constitute proof of guilt. The presumption of innocence remains until a conviction is secured through proper judicial proceedings.