Lamoille County Arrest Records

Arrest records are official documents law enforcement creates when a suspect is taken into custody. In Lamoille County, officers may arrest individuals under the authority of an arrest warrant, even if the warrant is not physically present at the time, or if they witness a crime being committed.

After an arrest, detainees are typically held at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility (NERCF) in St. Johnsbury, the region's primary detention center.

The Lamoille County Sheriff’s Office, along with local police departments, generates these arrest records. Over time, these documents often become part of the Lamoille County court records, including court proceedings, case dispositions, and sentencing information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lamoille County?

Yes, Arrest records in Lamoille County are generally public and accessible under the Vermont Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §§ 315–320). The law permits access to most arrest records while limiting access to certain records. Access to limited records is provided only to specific public agencies and officials, and private citizens with a court order. The Office of Legislative Counsel provides a list of Public Records Act exemptions. From the list, the following arrest information is typically limited in Vermont:

• Arrest records that disclosure could jeopardize a person’s right to a fair trial
• Arrest records that disclosure will interfere with law enforcement proceedings.
• Information that may reveal a confidential source or law enforcement technique, or endanger a person’s life
• Juvenile arrest records
• Arrest records that have been sealed

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Lamoille County typically contain the following information that is ready for inspection:

• Personal information of the arrestee (e.g., name, date of birth, and gender)
• Arresting agency
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Arrest charges
• Arrestee’s custody status
• Bail or Bond information
• Court dates, if available

Lamoille County Arrest Statistics

Law enforcement crime and arrest data are processed at the state level by the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC). The VCIC compiles, audits, and analyzes crime reports submitted by local law enforcement agencies across the state, including those in Lamoille County. Once verified, this data is published on the FBI Crime Data Explorer, where the public can access county-specific arrest statistics.

To view Lamoille County’s arrest data, users can select any law enforcement agency within the county and specify a timeframe. For example, in 2023, the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Office reported 145 arrests, including:

• 31 for driving under the influence (DUI)
• 15 for larceny
• 13 for drug/narcotic offenses
• 12 for simple assault

Find Lamoille County Arrest Records

Individuals in need of an arrest record in Lamoille County may visit the arresting agency. While at the agency’s office, the individual should be prepared to provide some information about the arrestee or the arrest incident. If the arrest record is confidential, the inquirer may need to provide a court order granting them access if they are not the subject of the record. The individual may also need to pay a fee if copying the record is required.

If a person wishes to obtain an inmate's record in state custody, they may search the Vermont Department of Corrections Offender Locator portal. The inmate’s name or ID number may be used to locate their record.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator may be used to find records for individuals in federal custody. The portal allows users to search for an inmate by name or ID number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lamoille County

Persons who want to access an arrest record in Lamoille County without paying a copying fee may search for the record online through third-party resources. These services offer a convenient alternative to visiting a law enforcement agency in person, allowing users to remotely search for records. Users typically can search for a record by inputting the name of the person involved. Third-party platforms often provide limited information for free. Users may need to pay a fee to be able to view the complete record.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever, Under Vermont law, arrest records in Lamoille County have no mandated retention limit, meaning they typically remain on a person’s criminal record indefinitely. However, state law does allow for expungement and sealing of certain arrests and convictions under specific conditions.

Expunge Lamoille County Arrest Records

In Lamoille County, arrest sealing and expungement allow individuals to restrict access to or permanently remove an arrest from their criminal record. These legal processes are established under 13 V.S.A. §§ 7601–7611. Generally, a person may be eligible for the sealing or expungement of their arrest if:

• Charges were dismissed, resulted in acquittal, or were resolved through a diversion or deferred sentence program.
• The offense is a qualifying crime.
• No new convictions occurred during the required waiting period.
• All terms of the sentence have been completed, including restitution and probation.
• A certain period has passed since sentence completion:
  • Usually 2–5 years for misdemeanors.
  • Up to 10 years for certain felonies.

To initiate the process, individuals must file a formal petition with the appropriate court. Required forms are available through the Vermont Judiciary. Following submission of all required documentation, the court will review the petition and may schedule hearings if necessary. If approved, the court will issue an order to seal or expunge the record. In cases of denial, petitioners must generally wait two years before reapplying, unless the court specifies alternative conditions.

Lamoille County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a written order issued by a judicial officer directing law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. It is typically used when a summons would be insufficient to ensure the person’s appearance in court.

In Lamoille County and throughout Vermont, neither an arrest warrant nor a summons may be issued without a judicial determination of probable cause, based on a complaint alleging that the defendant committed a crime. The process begins when a prosecuting officer submits a request to a judicial officer, supported by one of the following:

• A grand jury indictment,
• An information filed by the prosecutor, or
• Affidavits/sworn statements establishing probable cause.

The request generally must include background on the defendant, including their residence, employment, family ties, history of responding to legal proceedings, and past criminal record. For misdemeanors, a summons is usually issued unless:

• The person is likely to flee
• Has no ties to the community
• Has failed to respond in the past
• Their location is unknown
• An arrest is needed to prevent harm

A valid arrest warrant in Lamoille County must include the following information:

• Directed to law enforcement.
• Name of the defendant (or identifying description if unknown).
• A command to arrest and bring the person without delay to the nearest judicial officer.
• Signed and dated by the judicial officer.

Do Lamoille County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, In Lamoille County, Vermont, arrest warrants do not automatically expire and generally remain active until they are executed. However, certain factors may affect the validity of a warrant, including the death of the defendant or a judge dismissing the warrant after review. In rare cases, a warrant may be affected by the passage of time. For instance, under Vermont law (13 V.S.A. § 4501(e)), the statute of limitations for prosecuting misdemeanors is three years from the date of the offense. If a warrant is not served within that period, the court may choose to quash it.