District of Columbia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in District of Columbia?

Yes, arrest records are public in the District of Columbia. This accessibility is mandated by the District of Columbia Freedom of Information Act (DC FOIA) and public record laws which aim to maintain transparency and uphold the public's right to information. These records are considered public unless specifically restricted by law or court order, ensuring that the community has the ability to scrutinize law enforcement actions and judicial processes. Pursuant to DC Code § 2-532, government agencies are required to make public records available for inspection by any person, subject to certain exemptions that protect privacy, ongoing investigations, and other sensitive information.

How to Look Up District of Columbia Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain information on arrest records in the District of Columbia, individuals have several methods at their disposal in 2025. The District maintains multiple systems for public access to criminal justice information, each serving different purposes and containing varying levels of detail:

Online Court Records: The DC Courts Case Information System provides public access to docket information for criminal cases processed through the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Metropolitan Police Department Records: The MPD Records Division maintains arrest records and provides clearance letters upon request. The Records Division is located at 300 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001, and operates Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Tuesday, Thursday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
District of Columbia Archives: Historical arrest records may be available through the DC Archives, located at 1300 Naylor Court NW, Washington, DC 20001. The Archives maintains government records of permanent historical value.
Criminal Division of DC Superior Court: Records related to criminal proceedings can be accessed through the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, located at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001.

Contents of a District of Columbia Arrest Record

A District of Columbia arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about an individual's encounter with law enforcement. These records are maintained pursuant to DC Code § 5-113.01 and include the following standard elements:

Full legal name and any aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
Specific charges filed, including relevant DC Code sections
Booking details, including photographs (mugshots) and fingerprints
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available
Warrant information, if the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant

It should be noted that certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in the District of Columbia

The management and accessibility of arrest records in the District of Columbia are governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. The following statutes and regulations form the foundation of this framework:

DC Freedom of Information Act (DC FOIA): Codified in DC Code § 2-531 et seq., this law establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest records, with certain exemptions.
Criminal Justice Information System Regulations: The District's criminal history record information is managed in accordance with regulations found in DC Municipal Regulations Title 6A, Chapter 12.
Fair Criminal Record Screening Act: Also known as "Ban the Box," this legislation (DC Code § 32-1341 et seq.) limits how and when employers can inquire about criminal records, including arrests that did not lead to conviction.
Criminal Record Sealing Act: Under DC Code § 16-803, certain arrest records may be eligible for sealing if the case resulted in no charges, dismissal, or acquittal.

Law enforcement agencies and courts must adhere to these legal provisions when maintaining and disseminating arrest record information to the public.

Expungement of Arrest Records in District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia, individuals may have the opportunity to expunge or seal their arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by DC Code § 16-801 through § 16-806, which provides pathways for removing arrest information from public view.

Eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing typically include:

Cases that resulted in no charges being filed
Cases that were dismissed before trial
Cases that resulted in acquittal
Certain non-violent misdemeanor and felony convictions after waiting periods
First-time drug possession offenses that qualify under the Youth Rehabilitation Act

The expungement process requires filing a motion with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Petitioners must submit the appropriate forms, pay applicable fees (which may be waived for indigent applicants), and may need to attend a hearing. If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal or remove the record from public access.

It is important to note that even sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in certain circumstances, such as subsequent criminal proceedings or applications for positions in law enforcement or national security.

Restrictions on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in the District of Columbia are generally public, several important restrictions limit access to certain types of records. These restrictions serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to DC Code § 16-2331, records pertaining to juvenile arrests and proceedings are confidential and not available to the general public.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access in accordance with DC Code § 16-803 through § 16-806.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be withheld under exemptions to the DC FOIA (DC Code § 2-534(a)(3)).
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and victim information in certain cases may be redacted before records are released to the public.
Special Case Types: Records related to domestic violence, sexual offenses, and cases involving protected witnesses may have additional restrictions on public access.

Government agencies are required to apply these restrictions consistently while still fulfilling their obligations under public records laws.