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  1. Penobscot County Court
  2. Penobscot County Arrest Records

Penobscot County, Maine Arrest Records

Penobscot County arrest records are official files regarding arrests conducted within the county. Such records may reveal arrest details, such as the arrestee’s name, charges, arrest date and location, and bond amount.

The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, along with other local police departments, may create arrest records in the aftermath of an arrest event. Furthermore, these agencies maintain and disclose these records to interested parties in accordance with state laws. The Maine Freedom of Access Act and 16 M.R.S. § 704(1) determine how arrest records are maintained and disclosed to the public. The latter specifically controls criminal history information, which may also include arrest details.

These state laws allow public access to arrest records for these reasons:

  • To monitor law enforcement activities within the county.
  • To provide accurate information about arrest events. 

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Penobscot, Maine?

Yes, the Maine Freedom of Access Act allows  the public to access most arrest information in Penobscot County. Under the law, both residents and non-residents can inspect and request copies of arrest records from public agencies. The law also requires public agencies to provide avenues via which the public can access arrest records.

Note that specific arrest records are not accessible to the public. Such records contain sensitive information whose disclosure may endanger concerned parties. Thus, public agencies will only release copies of such records to legally eligible parties, such as the record subject, crime victims, and legal representatives. Eligible parties must provide proof of identification documents when requesting confidential arrest records in Penobscot County.

What Do Public Penobscot County Arrest Records Contain?

In Penobscot County, public arrest records typically reveal the following information:

  • Arrestee’s names, known aliases, and physical description.
  • Mugshot.
  • Arrest charges and crime classification.
  • Date and location of the arrest.
  • Name of the arresting agency and holding facility.
  • Bond or bail amount.
  • Booking date and number.

Public arrest records may not include information that is deemed confidential under state laws. For example, the records may not disclose the personal identity of juvenile arrestees. Other non-public arrest records include the following:

  • Court sealed or expunged arrest records.
  • Arrest information that may interfere with ongoing investigations.
  • Personal information of crime victims and informants.

Penobscot County, Maine Arrest Search

In Penobscot County, interested parties may search arrest records by using resources provided by state and federal-level agencies. At the state level, the Maine Department of Corrections maintains an online search platform for inmates serving time in state prisons. The platform may reveal arrest details, such as the arrestee’s name, charges, booking number, and bond amount. To view records on the platform, record seekers must provide the inmate’s name, gender, age range, and offense type.

In contrast, the Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains a searchable database of inmates in federal prisons. Record seekers may view records on the database by entering the inmate’s name or prison ID number.

Record seekers may locate Penobscot County arrest records in online case search portals. For example, the re:SearchMaine platform reveals arrest information included in case files. To view records on the platform, record seekers must create an account and enter relevant search terms.

Penobscot County Inmate Locator

The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online search platform for pretrial detainees and inmates serving short sentences in the county jail. The platform may reveal arrest information, such as the arrest charges, arresting agency’s name, and booking number. Interested parties may look up records on the platform by providing the inmate’s name or criminal charges.

Alternatively, record seekers may find arrest information by making inquiries at the county sheriff’s office. The county sheriff may process record requests between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at this address:

85 Hammond Street

Bangor, ME 04401

Phone: (207) 947-4585

Active Warrant Search in Penobscot County

Penobscot County arrest warrants authorize the arrest of persons suspected of violating the law. Court judges are responsible for issuing arrest warrants and may do so after a law enforcement officer submits a sworn affidavit that establishes probable cause. 

Note that Penobscot courts will only issue arrest warrants for a new crime. However, they may issue bench warrants if the defendant fails to honor the court summons.

Arrest warrants issued in Penobscot County may include the following details:

  • Defendant’s name, last known address, and physical description.
  • Alleged criminal offense.
  • Warrant document number
  • Warrant issuance date and location.
  • Name and signature of the court official that issued  the warrant.

Record seekers may locate active warrants in the custody of the county sheriff’s office. The sheriff maintains records of active warrants issued by the county’s courts. The county courts also serve as record custodians of active and inactive warrants. Record seekers may view warrants in court documents by directly contacting the court that issued the warrant. An alternative option is to conduct searches using the re:SearchMaine search platform.

Agency / Resource

Purpose

Search Methods

Notes

Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office

Maintains and serves warrants

Phone, online, in person

Include official lookup availability

re:SearchMaine 

Maintains warrants included in court records

Online

 

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Penobscot County

Record seekers may conduct free searches for arrest records by using government-owned databases. For example, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online search portal for detainees and inmates in the county jail. The database reveals arrest details, such as the charges and booking number.

Alternatively, record seekers may find free arrest information via the Maine Department of Corrections' inmate search platform. The platform reveals arrest details of inmates transferred to the state prisons. 

The Federal Bureau of Prisons allows free searches for arrest information in federal inmate records. Record seekers must enter the inmate’s name or prison ID number to view arrest information.

Free online search platforms may not include older arrest records or confidential information. Record seekers may find such information in the custody of the arresting agency and county courts. These agencies may only disclose confidential records to legally eligible parties, such as the record subject and their legal representatives. Thus, eligible parties must provide a valid ID along with other relevant data to view the records.

Penobscot County Arrest Report

Penobscot County arrest reports provide a detailed narration of an arrest event. Such reports are based on the arresting officer’s perspective and may include these details:

  • The probable cause for the arrest.
  • Statements from crime victims and witnesses.
  • Arrestee’s conduct during the arrest event.
  • Evidence and exhibits collected in relation to the arrest.

Note that arrest reports mostly contain confidential information that is statutorily exempt from public access. Arresting agencies are the primary custodians of arrest reports and they may only disclose them to eligible parties, such as crime victims and arrestees. Record seekers may also find copies of arrest reports in the custody of the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The agency maintains arrest reports for traffic-related crimes.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Penobscot County

Penobscot County residents can seal arrest records by filing a petition with the District Court Clerk’s Office. Note that the county does not allow expungement or erasure of arrest records. With that being said, petitioners are eligible to seal arrest records if:

  • The charges were dismissed.
  • The conviction was for a Class E crime.
  • The conviction was for certain marijuana-related crimes.
  • It has been more than 4 years since they completed a court sentence or other imposed conditions.
  • There is no pending criminal conviction within or outside the state.
  • There is no pending criminal charge

Eligible petitioners may follow these steps to expunge their records:

  1. Fill out the Motion to Seal Criminal Record form.
  2. Submit the form to the district court clerk’s office at this address:

Penobscot Judicial Center

78 Exchange Street

Bangor, ME 04401

Phone: (207) 561-2300.

The court may schedule a hearing upon receiving the petition. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order of sealing to all relevant agencies holding copies of the record.

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

In Penobscot County, petitioners can remove arrest records by following these steps:

  1. Obtain an order of sealing from the county’s courts. The court may issue an order to seal records if the petitioners fulfill the required conditions. Note that the court will forward the order to all relevant agencies, including the Maine Bureau of Investigations and local police departments.
  2. Directly contact the third-party websites holding the records. Petitioners may find the websites’ contact information on their “About Us” and “Contact Us” pages.