Cheshire Booking Reports
Cheshire booking reports are created when local police arrest and book someone into custody. The Cheshire Police Department generates these records and maintains them on file at the police station. Connecticut does not operate county jails, so all inmates from Cheshire are sent to state detention facilities run by the Department of Correction. Booking reports are public records under Connecticut law, so most information is open to the public. You can request these records from the local police department or search for current inmates using the state database. Some details may be kept confidential if they involve ongoing cases, juveniles, or protected victims.
Cheshire Quick Facts
Cheshire Police Department Records
The Cheshire Police Department creates arrest records when someone is booked into custody in the town. Each booking report contains basic information about the arrest. This includes the person's name, age, address, the charges filed, and the date and time of booking. These records are stored at the police station and made available to the public under Connecticut law.
Arrest records in Cheshire are generally open to anyone who asks for them. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act gives the public broad access to government records, including booking reports. Some information may be withheld if it involves an active investigation, a juvenile, or protected victim data. Sexual assault victims' names are always kept confidential.
A Cheshire booking report includes:
- Name and date of birth
- Address at the time of arrest
- Arrest date and time
- Location where arrest occurred
- Charges and statute numbers
- Booking number
- Arresting officer name and badge
- Bond amount if set
To get a copy of a booking report from Cheshire, contact the police department. You can visit in person, call during business hours, or submit a written request by mail or email. The department may charge a fee for copies, usually around 50 cents per page. Most requests are handled within a few days unless the file is large or contains restricted information.
The Cheshire Police Department website is at cheshirect.org/police-department. The department does not publish daily arrest logs online, but you can request recent booking information through the records office. For questions about accessing records, contact the department during normal business hours.
Connecticut State Inmate System
Connecticut ended county jails in 1968 and moved all detention operations to the state level. The Department of Correction runs all facilities and maintains a public database of current inmates. Anyone arrested in Cheshire and held in custody goes to a state facility.
The Connecticut DOC inmate search portal is at ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us. This tool is free to use and does not require a login. You can search by name or DOC number. Results show current status, location, charges, and estimated release date. The database updates daily.
The inmate search displays:
- Full name and DOC number
- Date of birth
- Inmate photo
- Current facility and housing unit
- Admission date
- Status as accused or sentenced
- Primary offense
- Sentence dates if convicted
The DOC database only lists people currently in custody. If someone from Cheshire has been released, they will not appear in search results. For historical booking information or past inmates, you need to contact the State Police Bureau of Identification or request court records from the Judicial Branch.
Note: The inmate search does not include juveniles or people held on behalf of federal immigration authorities.
Court Case Records
After an arrest in Cheshire, the case goes to the Connecticut court system. The Judicial Branch keeps records of all criminal cases from initial filing to final resolution. These court records are public and can be searched online at no charge for basic information.
The Judicial Branch criminal lookup portal is at jud.ct.gov/crim.htm. This site has several search tools. You can look up pending cases by name or docket number. You can also search for convictions, view daily court dockets, and check for active arrest warrants. Each tool is separate, so choose the one that fits your needs.
Court records from Cheshire arrests show:
- Docket number
- Defendant name and date of birth
- Charges and statute references
- Court dates and hearing types
- Attorney names
- Bond conditions
- Plea and verdict
- Sentencing information if convicted
Conviction records are displayed on the court website for up to 10 years from the date of sentencing. The exact time period depends on the offense type and is set by Connecticut Practice Book Section 7-13. After the time limit, the conviction is removed from public view online but may still exist in the court's file. Cases ending in dismissal, not guilty verdicts, or nolle prosequi are automatically erased from public records 13 months after the case closes under Connecticut law.
To get certified copies of court documents from a Cheshire arrest, contact the clerk at the courthouse where the case was heard. New Haven County has multiple court locations. The clerk can provide copies of the docket, arrest warrant, and other filings for a fee. Call ahead to ask about availability and cost.
State Police Criminal History
The Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification keeps official criminal history records for the state. These files include all arrests, charges, and case outcomes reported by law enforcement and courts. A state criminal history check shows every booking on file under a person's name, even if some cases were later dismissed or expunged.
To get a state criminal history record, you must be fingerprinted by a law enforcement agency. The State Police offers fingerprinting by appointment at their facility in Middletown. The fee is $15 for fingerprinting and $75 for the state criminal history check. Add $13.25 if you also want a federal background check. Payment must be cash, check, or money order. Cash payments must be exact change.
Schedule a fingerprinting appointment online at this State Police portal. Before your appointment, pre-enroll at ct.flexcheck.us.idemia.io to get a tracking number. Bring the tracking number, valid photo ID, and payment to your appointment. Results take several weeks and are mailed to you.
Some local police departments in Connecticut offer fingerprinting services. Check with the Cheshire Police Department to see if they provide this or if you need to visit the state facility in Middletown. State criminal history records are more thorough than court searches because they include every arrest, not just convictions.
Freedom of Information Act
Connecticut law provides broad public access to arrest records and booking reports. The Connecticut Freedom of Information Act requires government agencies to release records unless a specific law says they must be kept confidential. Most booking reports from Cheshire are open to the public.
Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-215, arrest records are public. Law enforcement must disclose the name, address, date, time, place, and offense for each arrest. Agencies can provide the arrest report, incident report, a news release, or another similar record. The agency decides what format to use.
Some records are not available to the public even under FOIA:
- Juvenile arrest records
- Active investigation files
- Sealed or expunged records
- Sexual assault victim names
- Medical or mental health information
- Some witness statements
If the Cheshire Police Department denies a records request, you can file a complaint with the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission. The FOIC reviews denials and can order agencies to release records when the law requires it. Complaints must be filed within 30 days of the denial. Forms and instructions are on the FOIC website at portal.ct.gov/foi.
Most records requests in Cheshire are handled quickly. The police department has a records division that processes requests as they come in. Be specific when you ask for booking reports. Include names, dates, and case numbers if you have them. This helps the department find the right file and respond faster.
Nearby New Haven County Cities
Cheshire is in New Haven County and borders several other towns. If you need booking reports from nearby areas, these cities also maintain local arrest records. Each follows Connecticut state law for public access to records.
Cities near Cheshire with populations over 25,000:
For a broader look at how arrests and detention work in the region, visit the New Haven County page. The county page has links to all local police departments and state resources for booking reports and court records in the area.