Search Waterbury Recent Arrests

Recent arrests in Waterbury go through the Waterbury Police Department, which serves roughly 114,000 residents in New Haven County. Waterbury is the second largest city in the county and one of the biggest in the state. You can search for Waterbury arrest records through the Connecticut Judicial Branch case look-up, the DOC inmate search, and by contacting the local police department directly. Connecticut law makes arrest records public from the time of arrest. This page walks through the main options for finding recent arrest data in Waterbury and what to expect when you request records.

Waterbury Police Arrest Records

The Waterbury Police Department handles all local arrests in the city. Waterbury is a busy department given the city's size. When someone is arrested here, the booking data stays with the department until it clears review. To get a copy of an arrest report, visit the records division in person. Bring a case number or the date and name of the person arrested. A valid photo ID is needed. Copies run $0.50 per page under CGS § 1-212. The first $5.00 is waived for most requests.

Call the department ahead of time to confirm report availability. Most arrest reports need 7 to 15 business days to go through review before they can be released to the public. Reports tied to open cases may take even longer. Not every department in Connecticut puts arrest logs on their website, and Waterbury is one where in-person or phone contact with the records division is the most reliable way to get what you need.

Waterbury is part of the same judicial district as many other New Haven County towns. Criminal cases filed after a Waterbury arrest go through the Superior Court system.

Searching Waterbury Arrest Cases Online

The Connecticut Judicial Branch case look-up is the best free online tool for finding Waterbury arrest cases. It covers all Superior Court locations in the state. You can search criminal and motor vehicle cases by name or docket number. Results show the charges filed, upcoming court dates, and case status. No account is required. There is no fee for the search. This tool works for anyone, and it picks up cases from Waterbury along with every other town in Connecticut.

The Judicial Branch case look-up covers criminal filings from Waterbury and all other Connecticut Superior Courts.

The CSP News site also posts press releases about arrests made by state troopers in the Waterbury area.

Beyond court records, the Connecticut DOC inmate search shows people currently held in state custody. If a Waterbury arrest leads to incarceration at a state facility, this tool shows the facility, bond amount, offense, and sentencing status. Search by last name, first name, or date of birth.

Waterbury Arrest Records and FOIA

Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to get Waterbury arrest records. CGS § 1-215 says arrest records are public from the time of arrest. The law spells out what counts as a "record of the arrest." It includes the name, race, and address of the person. The date, time, and place of the arrest. The charge. If the arrest was by warrant, the warrant application is also public. Waterbury Police must hand over this data when asked.

If you run into trouble getting records from Waterbury, you can file a formal FOIA request. The department has four business days to respond. They can ask for more time with written notice but cannot just ignore the request. Some details may be removed from the records. Victim names in family violence or sexual assault cases are often redacted. Witness information can be withheld too. But the basic arrest facts are always available to the public.

Under CGS § 1-210, all records kept by public agencies are public records. That is a broad rule that covers more than just arrest data. It means you can inspect records held by Waterbury Police during normal business hours. CGS § 1-212 sets the copy fees at $0.50 per page for local agencies.

State Police Coverage in Waterbury

Connecticut State Police Troop I in Bethany serves the New Haven County area that includes Waterbury. The troop office is at 631 Amity Road, Bethany, CT 06525. Call (203) 393-4200. If troopers make an arrest near Waterbury, the report goes through the State Police Reports and Records Unit in Middletown at (860) 685-8190. Each report request costs $16 as a non-refundable search fee.

For a more thorough check, the State Police Bureau of Identification runs criminal history checks. A state check costs $75. A federal check costs $13.25. Fingerprinting is $15. You need an appointment at the Middletown office. SPBI hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This gives you the most complete picture of someone's arrest history in Waterbury or anywhere else in Connecticut.

The SPBI page explains the process for getting a full criminal history check in Connecticut.

SPBI handles the most thorough arrest record searches available in the state.

Waterbury Arrest Record Erasure

Not all Waterbury arrest records stay on file forever. Under CGS § 54-142a, Connecticut automatically erases certain criminal records after set time periods. Eligible misdemeanors are erased after seven years. Eligible felonies are erased after ten years. The Clean Slate law has widened this, making more offenses eligible for automatic erasure. This means a search might not show older Waterbury arrests if they were cleared under these rules.

Records sealed by a court order are also off limits. Juvenile arrest records from Waterbury are not available from the police department. Those go through Juvenile Court only.

Note: Erased records do not show up on background checks run through SPBI or local departments in Connecticut.

How to Get Waterbury Arrest Reports

Start by calling the Waterbury Police Department. Ask if the report is ready and what payment methods they accept. Have the case number if you have one. If not, give the date and the name of the person arrested. That usually works too. Plan to visit in person with photo ID and payment. Most departments take cash, check, or money order. Some do not accept credit cards, so confirm before you go.

• Contact Waterbury PD for report status
• Bring photo ID and case number
• Pay $0.50 per page (first $5.00 waived)
• Allow 7 to 15 business days after the arrest
• Use the Judicial Branch case look-up for free online searches

Nearby Cities

Search for recent arrest records in other towns near Waterbury.