Waterford Arrest Information
Waterford booking reports come from the Waterford Police Department in New London County. This town of about 25,000 people sits on the coast of eastern Connecticut. Arrests here follow the same state rules that apply across Connecticut. When police take someone into custody, they create a booking record with personal info, charges, arrest time, and location. These records go into local police files and also feed into the state system that tracks inmates and court cases for Waterford and the rest of Connecticut.
Waterford Quick Facts
Waterford Police Records
The Waterford Police Department logs all arrests that happen in town. Officers file incident reports and booking sheets after each arrest. This info includes the name of the person, date of birth, address, time of arrest, location, and charges filed. Most arrests in Waterford are for traffic offenses, drug possession, theft, or domestic issues. Warrant arrests also happen when police serve outstanding warrants on Waterford residents or people found in town with warrants from other places.
You can ask for arrest records by going to the Waterford Police Department during business hours. Bring photo ID and give the name and date of the arrest if you know it. Staff can search for cases by name. Some arrests appear in press releases or on the department's social media. Full reports may not be ready right away if the case is still under investigation or awaiting court action in Waterford. Police may withhold some details until charges are resolved.
| Department | Waterford Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | Waterford Town Hall 15 Rope Ferry Road Waterford, CT 06385 |
| Phone | Emergency: 911 Non-Emergency: Check local directory |
| Website | waterfordct.org/police-department |
Connecticut does not have county jails. All inmates arrested in Waterford go to state facilities run by the Department of Correction. This has been the system since 1968 when county jails were shut down and consolidated under state control. Arrestees may be held at any DOC facility based on space and security level. New London Correctional Center is one of the facilities in the area, but inmates from Waterford can end up anywhere in the state system.
Find Waterford Inmates Online
The Connecticut Department of Correction runs a public inmate search at ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us. This database covers all inmates held in state custody, including those arrested in Waterford. You can search by last name, first name, date of birth, or CT DOC number. The system updates daily, so new bookings from Waterford show up within a day after arrest and processing.
Each inmate record shows:
- Full name
- CT DOC inmate number
- Date of birth
- Status (sentenced or accused)
- Primary offense
- Current location
- Admission date
- Sentencing date if applicable
- Release dates if applicable
- Photo
- Correctional history
- Disciplinary history
This search only shows people who are currently locked up or were recently in DOC custody. If someone was arrested in Waterford but posted bail or got released, they will not appear in this database. For arrest info on people not in custody, contact the Waterford Police Department directly or check court records. Youthful offenders and federal immigration detainees do not show up in the DOC public search.
Court Cases from Waterford Arrests
After an arrest in Waterford, the case moves to the Connecticut court system. The Judicial Branch maintains an online lookup for criminal and motor vehicle cases. You can search by defendant name or docket number. New London County cases appear in this system along with cases from all other counties. Court records show more than a booking report, with details on charges, bond, hearings, and final outcomes for Waterford arrests.
Use the Criminal Case Look-up at jud.ct.gov. The site has multiple search options. You can look up arrest warrants, convictions by name or docket, daily dockets, and pending cases. Conviction info stays online for 10 years after sentencing unless a shorter time is required by court rules. Some cases get removed one month before the time limit ends. Youthful offender cases, juvenile cases, infractions, and violation convictions do not appear in the public search.
Search by entering the defendant name or docket number. The system shows case status, charges, court dates, and dispositions. If a Waterford arrest led to a conviction, that shows up here. If charges were dropped or the person was found not guilty, that also shows up. Always check the case outcome, not just the arrest. An arrest does not equal guilt. Many Waterford arrests end in dismissals or acquittals.
Check for Active Warrants
Active arrest warrants for Waterford residents are public. You can search for warrants through the state court website at jud2.ct.gov. Enter a last name and first name to see if there are any open warrants. The search is free and shows warrants from all over Connecticut. If a Waterford resident has a warrant, it will show up in this search along with charges, bond amount, and court location.
Warrants get issued when someone misses a court date or when a judge finds probable cause for new charges. A warrant stays active until the person is arrested or turns themselves in. Waterford police can arrest anyone with an active warrant any time they make contact. This can happen during traffic stops, welfare checks, or other routine calls. It is better to deal with a warrant before it leads to a surprise arrest.
If you find a warrant for yourself, talk to a lawyer before going to the police. Some warrants are for minor offenses with low bonds. Others are for serious crimes with high bonds or no bond. A lawyer can help you understand your options and may be able to arrange a surrender with the court. Do not ignore a warrant. It will not go away on its own and can lead to bigger problems if left unresolved in Waterford.
Public Access to Booking Records
Arrest records in Waterford are public under Connecticut law. The Freedom of Information Act covers records held by police, courts, and state agencies. Police must disclose basic arrest info including the name and address of the person arrested, the date, time, place, and offense. They can provide this through an arrest report, incident report, news release, or similar document. This applies to all arrests in Waterford and across the state.
Some records stay confidential. Juvenile arrests are not public. Records for ongoing investigations may be withheld until the case closes. Medical info, witness statements, and sexual assault victim names do not get released. If police deny a records request in Waterford, you can file a complaint with the Freedom of Information Commission. The commission reviews complaints and can order agencies to release records if they are wrongly withheld. Contact info and complaint forms are at portal.ct.gov/foi.
An arrest record is not proof of guilt. Being arrested in Waterford does not mean the person was convicted. Many arrests end in dropped charges, acquittals, or other outcomes besides conviction. Always check the court case to see what happened after the arrest. Booking reports only show what occurred at the time of arrest, not the final result in court.
Official Criminal History Records
If you need a full criminal history record, the State Police Bureau of Identification handles those requests. This is different from a single arrest report. A criminal history check shows all arrests and convictions on file for a person in Connecticut. It covers cases from Waterford and everywhere else in the state. Employers, licensing agencies, and background check companies often require this type of record.
To get your criminal history, you must schedule a fingerprinting appointment. The State Police Bureau of Identification is at 1111 Country Club Road in Middletown. Call (860) 685-8480 or use the online booking system at the state website. Appointments are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, your appointment confirmation, and your pre-enrollment confirmation with tracking number and barcode.
Fees are $15 for fingerprinting, $75 for a state criminal history check, and $13.25 for a federal check. Payment must be by check, money order, or exact cash. The office does not make change. Pre-enrollment is required before your appointment. Go to the IDEMIA site to complete that step and get your tracking number. Allow several weeks for results after your appointment. This process gives you a comprehensive history, not just one arrest from Waterford.
Erasing Arrest Records
Some arrests qualify for erasure under Connecticut law. Erasure removes the record from your public criminal history. If you were arrested in Waterford and found not guilty, your record gets erased right away. Dismissed cases and nolle prosequi cases get erased 13 months after the dismissal or nolle. Certain misdemeanor convictions erase after 7 years. Some felony convictions erase after 10 years. Each case is different, so check the specific rules for your charges.
Connecticut has a Clean Slate program that offers automatic erasure for eligible offenses. A full list is on the state website. Even if an offense is listed, some cases may not qualify due to family violence designations or other factors. Connecticut General Statutes Section 54-142a has the full rules on erasure. The State Police Bureau of Identification handles erasure forms and questions at (860) 685-8480.
If your record does not qualify for automatic erasure, you can file a petition for a pardon or other relief. This process is more complex and often requires a lawyer. Erasing a record from Connecticut state files does not guarantee it disappears everywhere. Private background check companies and data brokers may still have your old arrest info. You may need to contact those companies separately to remove your data from their systems.
Legal and Community Resources
New London County has resources for people dealing with arrests, court cases, or related issues. Legal aid groups offer free help to low-income residents. The Connecticut State Bar runs a lawyer referral service if you need to hire an attorney. Local police can point you to victim services or crisis support if you need help after an arrest or crime in Waterford.
Legal Services Connecticut serves New London County with free legal help for those who qualify based on income. They handle cases involving domestic violence and other urgent matters. Call (866) 456-4995 for intake or visit legalservicesalabama.org for more info. The Connecticut State Bar Association offers a statewide lawyer referral line at 1-800-392-5660. This service connects you with attorneys who practice in your area and can help with criminal defense or other legal needs in Waterford.
If you were a victim of a crime in Waterford, ask police about victim advocacy. The court system also has victim services that help you understand the case, get updates, and apply for compensation if you had losses due to a crime. Crisis hotlines are available 24/7 for people in immediate danger or distress. These services are free and confidential for all Connecticut residents including those in Waterford.
Nearby New London County Towns
Other towns in the area include New London, Norwich, and Groton. Each town has its own police department and handles arrests the same way under Connecticut state law. All arrestees from these towns go to state facilities. Court cases are processed through the same New London County court system that serves Waterford.