>Kent County Arrest Records Online

Kent County, Delaware Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kent County, Delaware?

Arrest records are public in Kent County, Delaware, pursuant to the Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) codified in Title 29, Chapter 100 of the Delaware Code. This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests. The Delaware FOIA operates under the principle that government transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability in the criminal justice system.

Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to information about governmental proceedings. The Delaware Department of Justice has determined that arrest records fall within the category of public records that must be made available for inspection and copying, with certain statutory exceptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 10002(l) of the Delaware Code.

Law enforcement agencies in Kent County maintain these records in accordance with state regulations that govern the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal justice information. The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes, including:

Facilitating community awareness of public safety matters
Supporting the constitutional right to a public trial
Enabling background checks for employment and housing
Assisting researchers and journalists in analyzing criminal justice trends

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Kent County?

Kent County arrest records are accessible online through various official portals maintained by state and county agencies. The Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS) serves as the primary repository for criminal justice information throughout the state, including Kent County. This system integrates data from law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities to provide a comprehensive digital record of criminal proceedings.

The online availability of these records is authorized under Delaware Administrative Code Title 1, Section 1301, which establishes guidelines for electronic access to public records. Digital access is provided through several platforms:

The Delaware Court Connect system allows searches of court cases, including criminal matters
The Kent County Courthouse website provides information about accessing criminal case records
The Delaware State Police maintains an online portal for criminal history information

Online access is subject to certain limitations established by Delaware Code § 4322, which restricts the dissemination of sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, medical records, and certain victim information. Users seeking comprehensive arrest information may need to supplement online searches with in-person requests at the appropriate agencies.

How to Look Up Kent County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Kent County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple official channels to obtain this information. The process has been streamlined in accordance with Delaware Administrative Code Title 1, Chapter 43, which governs public access to criminal justice records. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Submit a request to the Kent County Court of Common Pleas located at 414 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901. The court maintains records of criminal proceedings and can be reached at (302) 735-3900. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Visit the Delaware State Police, State Bureau of Identification at 655 South Bay Road, Suite 1B, Dover, DE 19901. This office provides certified criminal history records and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Telephone inquiries can be directed to (302) 739-5871.
Access the Delaware Inmate Locator system maintained by the Department of Correction to determine if an individual is currently incarcerated.
Submit a FOIA request to the Kent County Sheriff's Office at 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (302) 736-2161.
Utilize public access terminals at the Kent County Courthouse to search court records directly. These terminals are available during regular business hours.

Pursuant to Delaware Code § 8513, requestors may be required to provide identification and complete a formal request form. Fees for record searches and copies are established by statute and agency regulations, with standard search fees ranging from $25 to $45 depending on the comprehensiveness of the search requested.

Contents of a Kent County Arrest Record

Kent County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Delaware Administrative Code Title 11, Chapter 85, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for all law enforcement agencies within the state. These records typically include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed, with reference to the applicable Delaware Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and their affiliated agency
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Booking information, including fingerprint classification and photograph
Custody status, including bail determination and conditions of release if applicable
Court docket number and scheduled appearance information
Disposition of the case, including any plea agreements, convictions, or dismissals

In accordance with Delaware Code § 4322(b), certain sensitive information is redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to confidential informants. Additionally, pursuant to § 9401, records related to juvenile arrests are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions and may not be included in publicly accessible arrest records.

The Delaware Courts system maintains these records in both electronic and physical formats, with retention schedules governed by the Delaware Public Archives' Records Management Program.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kent County

The expungement process in Kent County provides a legal mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances defined by Delaware Code Title 11, Chapter 43, Subchapter VII. Expungement petitions are processed through the Court of Common Pleas for misdemeanor offenses or the Superior Court for felony matters.

Eligibility for expungement is determined by several factors:

The nature and severity of the offense
The disposition of the case (dismissal, acquittal, or conviction)
The elapsed time since the arrest or completion of sentence
The petitioner's criminal history before and after the arrest in question
Whether the arrest resulted from identity theft or mistaken identity

Delaware law establishes two primary categories of expungement:

Mandatory expungement (§ 4373): Available when charges were terminated in favor of the accused through acquittal, nolle prosequi, or dismissal. These petitions must be granted if statutory requirements are met.
Discretionary expungement (§ 4374): Available for certain conviction records after specified waiting periods. The court exercises judgment based on the totality of circumstances and the public interest.

The petition process requires submission of standardized forms to the appropriate court, payment of filing fees (currently $75 for mandatory and $100 for discretionary petitions), and in some cases, a hearing before a judicial officer. The Kent County Court of Common Pleas processes these petitions at:

Kent County Court of Common Pleas
414 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 735-3900
Court of Common Pleas

Successful expungement results in the sealing of records from public view, though certain government agencies may retain access for law enforcement purposes as specified in § 4376.

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