Middlesex County Court Records and Criminal Files

Accessing criminal history records in Middlesex County involves working with both local police and state courts. The county has no sheriff's office. State police and municipal departments handle all arrests. Court records are maintained at the Middlesex Judicial District. Understanding where to look saves time when searching for criminal records in this central Connecticut county.

Criminal History Sources in Middlesex County

Middlesex County lies in the central part of Connecticut along the Connecticut River. It is one of the smaller counties in the state. About 164,000 people live here. The county seat is Middletown, which is also the largest city with roughly 48,000 residents. The county has a mix of urban, suburban, and coastal communities.

Like all Connecticut counties, Middlesex has no county sheriff. The position was eliminated in 2000. Public Act 00-01 shifted law enforcement to state and local agencies. This means criminal records are spread across several offices. You must know which agency made the arrest or handled the case.

The Middletown Police Department is the largest municipal force in Middlesex County. They handle most arrests in the city. Cromwell, Portland, East Hampton, and Old Saybrook also have their own police departments. Smaller towns rely on Connecticut State Police. Troop F in Westbrook covers parts of Middlesex County.

The Middlesex Judicial District court is in Middletown. This court hears all criminal cases from the county. Arraignments, trials, and sentencing all happen here. The court maintains records of every case. Some are online. Others require an in-person visit or formal request to access.

Middlesex Judicial District Criminal Court Records

The Middlesex Judicial District serves the entire county from its courthouse in Middletown. All criminal cases from Middlesex County are filed here. The court maintains dockets, judgments, and case files. You can search for records online through the state system. Some files are only available at the courthouse.

The Connecticut Judicial Branch provides free online access to criminal case information. Go to jud.ct.gov/crim.htm to search. You can look up convictions by defendant name. Pending cases are also searchable. Daily dockets show court schedules. This covers all criminal and motor vehicle matters in Middlesex County.

The online system has limits. Convictions only appear for 10 years after sentencing. Some case types are excluded. Juvenile cases are not shown. Youthful offender matters are hidden. Infractions and violations do not appear. Records are removed one month before the time period ends. Always verify with the court if you need complete information.

For older cases or full file copies, contact the court directly. The Middlesex Judicial District is at 1 Court Street in Middletown. Call the clerk's office for hours and procedures. You may need to submit a written request. The Superior Court Records Center also handles closed case requests. Email SuperiorCourtRecordsCenter@jud.ct.gov or call 860-263-2750.

Note: Court records show case outcomes, not arrest details. For arrest reports, contact the police department that made the arrest.

Statewide Criminal History Records for Middlesex County

The Connecticut State Police Bureau of Identification keeps all criminal history records for the state. This includes arrests and convictions from Middlesex County. You can request a background check that covers the entire state. The report will show any criminal activity recorded in Middlesex County or elsewhere in Connecticut.

To get a criminal history record, complete Form DPS-0846-C. The form is available from the state police website. You need the subject's full name and date of birth. Maiden names and aliases help. You can request a name-based search or fingerprint-supported search. Each search costs $50. Payment must be by check or money order made out to "D P S."

Mail your request to the Bureau of Identification at 1111 Country Club Road, Middletown, CT 06457. Do not email or fax requests. Processing takes several weeks. The results will show Connecticut records only. For national records, you need a federal background check through the FBI.

Name-based searches have known limitations. They can miss records or return false matches. This is especially true for common names. For more accurate results, use fingerprints. Fingerprinting is available at state police locations by appointment. The fee is $15. Many employers in Middlesex County require fingerprint-based checks for sensitive positions.

Middlesex County Police Department Arrest Records

Each police department in Middlesex County maintains its own arrest records and incident reports. These records show who was arrested, when, and for what charges. They also include police narratives and witness statements. Access policies vary by department. Some records are public. Others may be restricted.

Middletown Police Department serves the largest population in the county. Their records division processes requests for arrest reports and incident logs. Contact them at 860-638-4000. The department is located at 222 Main Street Extension in Middletown. You may need to visit in person to request certain records.

Cromwell Police Department covers a growing suburban area. They handle arrests and investigations in their town. Call 860-635-2256 for records requests. The department address is 5 West Street in Cromwell. Portland Police serves a smaller community along the river. Reach them at 860-342-6780.

East Hampton and Old Saybrook also maintain independent police departments. East Hampton Police can be reached at 860-267-9544. Old Saybrook Police is at 860-395-3142. Each department has its own records request process. Some may require a written form. Others accept phone inquiries. Fees for copies vary.

Towns without local police rely on Connecticut State Police. Troop F in Westbrook covers parts of Middlesex County. Contact them for accident reports and some incident records. State police barracks follow different procedures than municipal departments. Call 860-399-2100 for Troop F information.

Connecticut DOC Inmate Lookup for Middlesex County

The Connecticut Department of Correction operates all state prisons and correctional facilities. Anyone sentenced to prison from Middlesex County becomes part of the DOC system. You can search for these inmates online. The database is free and open to the public. It shows current inmates and recent releases.

Visit ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us to search. You can look up inmates by name or number. The system displays the facility where the person is held. It also shows their charges, sentence, and estimated release date. Photos are available for most inmates.

The search tool only includes people in DOC custody. This means they are currently in prison or were released recently. It does not include people on probation. It does not show people who served only county jail time. For those records, contact the court or local police.

If you need help with an inmate search, contact the DOC. Their main number is 860-692-7480. The address is 24 Wolcott Hill Road in Wethersfield. Victim services can provide additional information about offenders from Middlesex County. Family members can use the system to locate inmates and find visiting information.

Online Criminal Record Tools for Middlesex County

Connecticut offers several online tools for searching criminal records. These cover Middlesex County cases. Some are free. Others charge fees. Each tool provides different information. Using multiple sources gives the most complete picture of a person's criminal history.

The Judicial Branch Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-up is a free resource. Find it at jud.ct.gov/crim.htm. This is the best starting point for recent court activity. You can search by defendant name or docket number. Results show convictions, pending charges, and court schedules. The site is updated regularly.

The CCHRS Name and Date of Birth Search is another option. Access it at ct.flexcheck.us.idemia.io/CCHRSNameDob/. This portal connects to state police records. It provides official criminal history information. Be aware that name-based searches have uncertainty with common names. The system warns users about this limitation.

For court record copies, visit jud.ct.gov/courtRecords.htm. This page explains how to request file copies. You need the case name and docket number. The Superior Court Records Center processes these requests. There are fees for copies and certification. Allow several business days for processing.

Cities in Middlesex County

Middlesex County includes several cities and towns along the Connecticut River. Each has its own character and law enforcement arrangement. Criminal cases from all these communities are filed at the Middlesex Judicial District courthouse in Middletown.

Other towns in Middlesex County include East Hampton, Clinton, Westbrook, Durham, Middlefield, East Haddam, Haddam, Chester, Deep River, Essex, and Old Lyme. Some have local police departments. Others are served by Connecticut State Police Troop F or K.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Middlesex County. Criminal records are maintained separately. If you cannot find a record in Middlesex County, check these neighboring jurisdictions. The case may have been filed in a different court.