Alaska Arrest Records

Alaska arrest records offer a detailed account of an individual's interaction with law enforcement agencies within the state's jurisdiction. These records provide a comprehensive account of a person's apprehension and detention, including the charges filed and the nature of the offenses. According to the Alaskan Public Records Act, access to these records is unrestricted unless otherwise stated. Specific information, including mental health juvenile cases and ongoing criminal investigations, is subject to restrictions and accessible solely to authorized persons, like members of law enforcement, legal counsel, and the parties directly involved.

In Alaska, arrest records often contain the details gathered at the time of arrest, including the arrestee's name, birth date, race, mugshots, arrest location, witness identification, victim information, and statements made by the arresting officer. These records may encompass the individual's present criminal accusations and previous offenses before being apprehended. The report may also include any active warrants on the arrested person.

Are Arrest Records Public in Alaska?

Yes, arrest records in Alaska are publicly accessible. Under the Alaska Public Records Act, AS 40.25.100 – 40.25.295, these records are considered public documents. This legislation allows for the release of arrest records that are kept by a state or municipal law enforcement agency. Nevertheless, there are several restrictions for the disclosure of certain records, as outlined in AS 40.25.120. Records exempt from public disclosure include:

• Juvenile arrest records;
• Records containing information about mental or medical health
• Records whose disclosure could compromise an ongoing case or investigation

How Do I Look Up Arrest Records in Alaska?

The Alaska Records Page makes obtaining Alaska arrest records simple. This page streamlines the search process by pointing users to the specific documents they should look for and where they should look.

Other ways to look up arrest records in Alaska include:

• State Courts: Alaska arrest records are available to the public for free through the state court's online portal. To use the portal, users can search for criminal court records by entering the case number, their name, or the ticket or citation number. Criminal court records typically feature arrest record information where relevant to the case.
• Department of Public Safety: The Alaska Department of Public Safety Criminal Records and Identification (R&I) Bureau manages Alaska Criminal Justice Information. They provide criminal background checks for a fee and the option to search based on name and fingerprint. To get a criminal record, go to the Background Check Requests page of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and either request a name search or submit a fingerprint search request. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) imposes a fee of $35 for every search conducted using fingerprints and $20 for every search conducted using names. There are extra fees for each additional duplicate of a criminal history record request.
• Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Certain county police departments or sheriff's offices provide access to arrest records online. An example is the Public Records Center provided by the Anchorage Police Department. Inquirers may also visit law enforcement agencies to request these records in person. However, they will need to confirm the agency responsible for the arrest and their address, availability and that the record has not been removed before visiting the office.

Online access to information for cases filed before 1990 may only be available if such a case has been reopened. To get information on cases from this period, interested parties may contact the court clerk at the location of the trial.

**Free Arrest Record Search in Alaska **

To perform a free arrest record search in Alaska, inquirers may query the agency responsible for the arrest in person or online. Most local law enforcement agencies publish arrest logs and rosters that can be viewed for free. For on-site queries, the requester will only be provided the information to view. Requests for physical copies of any record will attract a charge typically equivalent to the cost of production.

Additionally, individuals interested in getting arrest records at no cost can formally request them from the county clerk or the official responsible for maintaining records in the jurisdiction where the case was adjudicated. However, it is worth noting that the court can impose fees to produce copies of records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Alaska?

There are no statewide statutes or rules pertaining to the length of time arrest records should be retained in Alaska. Rather, the state uses retention schedules to ascertain the suitable duration for maintaining each piece of data. Per Alaska Statutes 40.21.030**, **the state archivist is responsible for supervising the examination and endorsement of records retention schedules for all government agencies that operate under the Records and Information Management Services program. Based on this schedule, arrest records are retained until the individual dies or for 10 years after death. However, various local authorities possess the authority to determine the retention time of records. Hence, the duration for which records are kept may differ among the agencies concerned.

Each government agency develops its retention schedules through a complete evaluation and audit process. This process encompasses the examination of applicable legislation, talks with archivists, and consultations with legal and financial professionals. Those interested might get in touch with the Record Officer of the relevant government agency to learn about any current retention schedules for Alaska arrest records.

**How to Seal Arrest Record in Alaska **

There are no provisions in Alaska law that allow for the sealing or expunging of arrest records that are connected to lawful convictions. This highlights the definite preference for the accessibility of public records. Notwithstanding, there is a potential route for sealing arrest records in circumstances of false allegations or mistaken identification, provided the subject can prove acceptable grounds beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the case where the individual satisfies the state's eligibility requirements to have their records sealed or expunged. The authority to seal records that fall under the jurisdiction of criminal justice authorities is granted by AS 12.62.180. Consequently, people interested in having their records sealed can fill out a request to the Department of Public Safety.