Androscoggin County Criminal Records
What Is Androscoggin County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Androscoggin County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Maine Revised Statutes Title 16, Chapter 7, which governs criminal history record information in the state.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:
- Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody on suspicion of criminal activity
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Comprehensive case files maintained by the judicial system
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records merely indicate that an individual was taken into custody, while conviction records confirm that legal proceedings resulted in a finding of guilt. Under Maine law, these different record types may be subject to varying levels of public accessibility.
Criminal offenses in Androscoggin County are categorized as follows:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by up to one year in jail
- Civil Violations: Non-criminal infractions resulting in fines rather than incarceration
Adult and juvenile records are handled differently within the county's record-keeping system. While adult records are generally accessible to the public, juvenile records are typically sealed under Maine Revised Statutes Title 15, Chapter 507, which provides special protections for minors involved in the justice system.
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Androscoggin County:
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 753-2500
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
Maine State Bureau of Identification
45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-7240
State Bureau of Identification
Androscoggin County Superior Court
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 753-2999
Maine Judicial Branch
These criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing decisions, and probation or parole information. The comprehensive nature of these records provides a detailed account of an individual's history within the criminal justice system.
Are Criminal Records Public In Androscoggin County
Criminal records in Androscoggin County are generally considered public information under Maine's Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), which establishes the public's right to access government records. This statute, codified in Title 1, Chapter 13 of the Maine Revised Statutes, declares that "the public's right to information is essential to the proper operation of democratic government."
The law specifically states that "public records" include "any written, printed or graphic matter or any mechanical or electronic data compilation from which information can be obtained" that is in the possession of a public agency. Criminal records maintained by Androscoggin County agencies fall within this definition.
However, important exceptions and limitations apply to criminal record accessibility:
- Adult Conviction Records: Generally available to the public without restriction
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active investigations may be withheld under exemptions in §402(3)(A) of the FOAA
- Sealed Records: Cases that have been sealed by court order are not publicly accessible
- Juvenile Records: Protected under Maine Revised Statutes Title 15, §3308, which restricts access to records involving minors
- Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access
The Maine Criminal History Record Information Act further regulates the dissemination of criminal justice information. This act, found in Title 16, Chapter 7 of the Maine Revised Statutes, establishes that conviction data is public information, while non-conviction data has restricted accessibility.
Court proceedings in Androscoggin County are presumptively open to the public, as established by both state law and constitutional principles. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court proceedings and records, with limited exceptions for cases involving sensitive matters such as certain family court proceedings or cases involving minors.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware that while the law provides for public access, practical limitations such as processing times, fees, and technological constraints may affect the ease of obtaining these records.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Androscoggin County in 2026
Members of the public may access criminal records in Androscoggin County through several established channels. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining these records:
In-Person Requests at the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
- Visit the Records Division during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- Complete a Public Records Request Form, available at the front desk
- Provide specific information about the record being sought (name, date of birth, case number)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees ($10 for the first page, $2 for each additional page)
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 753-2500
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
Court Records Requests
- Visit the Androscoggin County Superior Court Clerk's Office
- Complete a Court Records Request Form
- Provide case number or name and date of birth of the subject
- Pay applicable fees ($5 per name search, $1 per page for copies)
- Records may be viewed immediately if readily available
Androscoggin County Superior Court
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 753-2999
Maine Judicial Branch
State-Level Criminal History Records
For comprehensive criminal history information that may include records from multiple jurisdictions within Maine:
- Submit a request through the Maine Criminal History Record and Juvenile Crime Information Request Service
- Create an account on the portal
- Provide subject's full name and date of birth
- Pay the required fee ($31 per record check)
- Receive results electronically or by mail
Written Requests to the Sheriff's Office
- Submit a written request including:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Subject's full name and date of birth
- Specific information being requested
- Notarized authorization if requesting another person's records
- Mail request with payment (check or money order) to the Sheriff's Office
- Allow 10-15 business days for processing
Pursuant to Maine's Freedom of Access Act, agencies must respond to record requests within a "reasonable period of time." For complex requests or those requiring extensive redaction, additional time may be necessary. Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and may be required to state the purpose of their request for certain types of records.
How To Find Criminal Records in Androscoggin County Online?
Androscoggin County offers several digital platforms through which members of the public may access criminal records information. These online resources provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by system.
Maine Judicial Branch Public Case Search
The Maine Judicial Branch maintains a comprehensive online portal for accessing court case information:
- Navigate to the Maine Judicial Branch Public Case Search
- Create a user account or log in as a guest
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- Review basic case information including charges, court dates, and disposition
- Note that complete case files are not available online; documents must be requested in person
This system includes Androscoggin County Superior Court and District Court cases, though records prior to 2016 may have limited availability.
Androscoggin County Jail Inmate Search
Current inmate information is accessible through the Sheriff's Office online portal:
- Visit the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the "Inmate Search" section
- Enter name or booking number
- View current custody status, charges, and booking information
This database only includes currently incarcerated individuals and those released within the past 30 days.
Maine Sex Offender Registry
Information regarding registered sex offenders residing in Androscoggin County:
- Access the Maine Sex Offender Registry
- Search by name, location, or zip code
- View offender information including photograph, address, and conviction information
Maine State Bureau of Identification Online Records Request
For official criminal history record checks:
- Visit the Maine Criminal History Record and Juvenile Crime Information Request Service
- Create an account and log in
- Submit subject information and payment ($31 per record)
- Receive results electronically
This system provides the most comprehensive criminal history information, including records from all Maine jurisdictions.
Users should be aware of several important limitations when utilizing these online systems:
- Not all criminal record information is available online
- Older records may only be accessible through in-person requests
- Some online systems require registration and fees
- Juvenile records and sealed cases are not included in public online databases
- Information obtained online may not be suitable for official purposes requiring certified records
For complete and certified criminal records, in-person requests at the appropriate agency remain necessary despite the convenience of online access options.
Can You Search Androscoggin County Criminal Records for Free?
Androscoggin County residents and other interested parties have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, though free access is subject to certain limitations. Maine's Freedom of Access Act (Title 1, Chapter 13) establishes the public's right to inspect government records, including criminal records, with minimal barriers.
Free In-Person Record Inspection
The law permits individuals to inspect public records without charge at the following locations:
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 753-2500
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Androscoggin County Superior Court
2 Turner Street
Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 753-2999
Maine Judicial Branch
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
While inspection is free, agencies may charge reasonable fees for:
- Searching for and retrieving records ($15 per hour after the first hour)
- Copying records ($0.25 per page)
- Converting records to required format
- Mailing or transmitting records
Free Online Resources
Several online portals provide free access to limited criminal record information:
-
Androscoggin County Jail Inmate Roster: Available through the Sheriff's Office website, this free resource shows current inmates and their charges.
-
Maine Judicial Branch Public Case Search: The court system's public portal allows free searches for basic case information, though document access requires fees.
-
Maine Sex Offender Registry: The state's sex offender database provides free access to information about registered sex offenders in Androscoggin County.
-
Androscoggin County Arrest Logs: Some local police departments publish recent arrest information on their websites or social media pages at no cost.
It is important to note that these free resources have significant limitations:
- Information may be incomplete or limited in scope
- Historical records may not be included
- Detailed case documents typically require payment
- Free inspection does not include copies without payment
- Some databases may not be updated in real-time
For comprehensive criminal background checks or certified records, fees are generally unavoidable. However, for basic information about criminal cases or current inmate status, these free resources provide valuable access points for the public.
What's Included in a Androscoggin County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained by Androscoggin County agencies contain standardized information categories that document an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are structured according to guidelines established by the Maine Criminal History Record Information Act and typically include the following components:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest with corresponding statute numbers
- Bail amount and conditions
- Detention facility information
- Arresting agency case number
Court Case Information
- Court docket number
- Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior Court)
- Filing date
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statute citations and offense classification (Class A-E felonies or misdemeanors)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned to case
- Scheduled court appearances
Disposition Information
- Final verdict or outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and restitution
- Community service requirements
- Treatment programs ordered
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
- Completion of sentence information
Additional Record Components
- Active warrants
- Protection from abuse or harassment orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Habitual offender status
- DUI/OUI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on the maintaining agency. Court records typically contain the most detailed information about case proceedings, while law enforcement records focus on arrest and charging details. The State Bureau of Identification maintains the most complete criminal history records, aggregating information from all reporting agencies throughout Maine.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Dates of birth (partial redaction)
- Victim identifying information in certain cases
- Information about minors
- Medical or mental health information
- Information sealed by court order
Records obtained directly from the courts or law enforcement agencies may contain different levels of detail than those provided through the state's central repository system.
How Long Does Androscoggin County Keep Criminal Records?
Androscoggin County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Maine State Archives Records Management Division under the authority of Title 5, Chapter 6 of the Maine Revised Statutes. These schedules mandate minimum retention periods for various categories of criminal records.
Arrest Records and Booking Information
- Felony arrests: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor arrests: 10 years after case closure
- Arrest logs: 10 years
- Booking photographs: 10 years for misdemeanors, permanent for felonies
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention (originals forwarded to State Bureau of Identification)
Investigation Records
- Felony investigations: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor investigations: 10 years after case closure
- Unfounded investigations: 5 years
- Evidence logs: Permanent retention
- Homicide investigations: Permanent retention
Court Records
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic violations: 5 years after case closure
- Court dockets: Permanent retention
- Grand jury records: Permanent retention
- Court exhibits: Retained until all appeals exhausted, then returned or destroyed
Incarceration Records
- Inmate files (felony): Permanent retention
- Inmate files (misdemeanor): 10 years after release
- Jail logs: Permanent retention
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after release
- Disciplinary reports: 3 years after inmate release
Probation and Parole Records
- Felony probation files: 10 years after discharge
- Misdemeanor probation files: 5 years after discharge
- Probation violation reports: Retained with case file
It is important to note that while these retention schedules establish minimum requirements, many records—particularly those related to serious offenses—are retained permanently. Additionally, records that have been digitized may be maintained indefinitely even after physical copies have been destroyed in accordance with retention schedules.
The Maine Criminal History Record Information Act requires that criminal history record information be maintained in a current status, with updates regarding final dispositions. This ensures that records reflect accurate and complete information about case outcomes.
Certain records may be eligible for sealing or expungement under specific circumstances outlined in Maine Revised Statutes Title 15, §2251-2259, which provides mechanisms for sealing criminal records in limited situations. When records are sealed pursuant to court order, they are removed from public access but typically retained for administrative purposes with highly restricted access.
Lookup Criminal Records in Androscoggin County
Androscoggin County Official Website
Maine Criminal History Record Request Portal