According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer Report, Bristol County accounts for more than 500 annual arrests, contributing to the approximate 23,000 total arrests in Rhode Island. According to the Access to Public Records Act, public records are available for access to individuals who request them. Not all records are within the reach of the public, however, and these records include juvenile records, ongoing criminal investigation records, and those that generally pose threats to the safety of the subject of record and the public. Access to these sensitive records is typically granted to the Attorney General, the individual referenced in the record, and local law enforcement agents. A copy of a public record in the state costs $0.15 per page.
Authorities such as the county's local police departments, sheriff, and the Rhode Island State Police may be contacted to retrieve arrest records. They typically have established procedures for the public to request these records.
Interested persons will be required to follow the guidelines necessary for requesting arrest records from the Sheriff's Office and pay the required fees before accessing public arrest records in Bristol County. The public may put their requests in writing to the records access officer at the Sheriff's Office when requesting arrest records. Requests for the records of arrests maintained in the Sheriff's Office may be made via mail or an in-person visit to the Sheriff's Office in person at 240 High St., Bristol, RI 02809.
Open arrest records may be retrieved from the jurisdiction in which an arrest occurred. Usually, individuals requesting arrest records may do so by completing a public records request form or requesting them through the designated public records unit by phone, mail, or fax. It is important to note that there are expenses related to the duplication and acquisition of records, which must be paid within a specific time frame by the requester. Some of the Police departments in Bristol County are:
The public may obtain arrest records utilizing either online or offline methods. To request arrest records online, interested persons may fill out the Public Records Request Form and submit their requests electronically. For a fast response, ensure to submit your request in time, as requests are processed in the order in which they are received. In addition, you may submit your request via mail or plan a visit to the Rhode Island State Police headquarters at:
RI Department of Public Safety Legal Office
311 Danielson Pike
North Scituate, RI 02857
Phone: (401) 444-1105
Both Superior and District Courts have jurisdiction over criminal cases, with the Superior Court acting as the higher court. In certain cases, criminal cases are transferred from the District Court to the Superior Court for final adjudication. Record seekers may utilize the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal for finding criminal court records, as it permits the public to search criminal case information, including charges, court dates, and case numbers. Alternatively, the public may visit the judicial center to inspect archives of judicial records, including those related to criminal cases at:
34 Touro Street
Newport, RI 02840
In addition, specific third-party sites, including InfoTracer, facilitate public access to arrest records, although this service is provided for a fee.
Below is a table detailing the number of arrests in relation to various crimes in Bristol County, Rhode Island.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Driving Under the Influence | 128 |
| Vandalism | 35 |
| Disorderly Conduct | 35 |
| Homicide Offenses | 1 |
| Robbery | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 17 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 |
| Larceny | 19 |
| Arson | 0 |
| Burglary | 12 |
| Simple Assault | 123 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Barrington Police Department | 100 Federal Rd | 401-437-3935 |
| Bristol Police Department | 395 Metacom Avenue | 401-253-6900 |
| Warren Police Department | 1 Joyce St | 401-245-1311 |