Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §§ 315-320) makes Franklin County arrest records publicly accessible documents. Vermont reports about 15,000 total arrests statewide, while around 750 of these arrests are made in Franklin County. While most arrest records are publicly accessible, certain records may be restricted due to ongoing investigations, cases involving juveniles, sealed court orders, or specific victim privacy protections under Vermont law.
Access to these restricted records is limited to the State's Attorney's Office, the Vermont Attorney General, the individual named in the record, and their legal representative. Copies of arrest records can be obtained by submitting a request form and paying the required fee, typically $10 per record search, with additional charges for certified copies.
Franklin County arrest records are available through several agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, the Vermont State Police, Vermont Department of Public Safety, Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC), Vermont Criminal Justice Council, as well as the Superior Court - Criminal Division.
The Sheriff's Office provides an online Public Records Request form where arrest records can be requested. To process the request, details such as the arrestee's full name, case number, offense type, and arrest date are required.
Alternatively, you may visit the Records Division in person during regular business hours at 387 Lake Road, St. Albans, VT 05478. To facilitate retrieval, you will need to provide sufficient details that enable the records officer to identify and locate the requested records.
Police records can be requested by sending a written application through the mail or by visiting the arresting police department in person. Additionally, some agencies provide digital access through online public records request portals.
To obtain an arrest record, first determine which agency made the arrest, then contact that specific department directly. Franklin County is served by several police departments, including the St. Albans Police Department, the Swanton Police Department, and the South Burlington Police Department.
Under the Department of Public Safety, the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) serves as the state's repository for criminal history information. To obtain criminal records in Vermont, you can choose from these three options:
Arrest records leading to formal criminal charges in the County are available through the Criminal Division of the Vermont Superior Court. The Clerk of Court maintains these records, covering both misdemeanor and felony cases.
Interested individuals can request records in person at the courthouse or by submitting a written request by mail. Online searches are also possible through the Vermont Judiciary's Public Portal using a name or case number. Fees may apply for obtaining physical copies.
Additionally, current arrest records may also be found on reputable third-party websites like InfoTracer, offering broader search capabilities and convenient access.
According to data from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program and the Vermont Crime Information Center, Franklin County has a crime index rate of 190.50 per 100,000 people. The table below outlines the number of arrests recorded annually for various crimes.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Robbery | 8 |
| Aggravated Assault | 17 |
| Arson | 1 |
| Burglary/Breaking & Entering | 320 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 75 |
| Larceny | 755 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 21 |
| Total Property Crimes | 1150 |
Source: Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC)
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Swanton Police Department | 120 1st St | (802)868-4100 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest State Correctional Facility (NWSCF) | 3649 Lower Newton Road | 802-524-6771 |