Burlington Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Burlington, Iowa?
Arrest records are public documents in Burlington, Iowa, pursuant to the Iowa Public Records Law (Iowa Code Chapter 22). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Iowa Public Records Law operates under the fundamental principle that government transparency and accountability are best served when citizens have access to information about governmental activities, including those related to law enforcement operations and arrests. Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours at the appropriate government office or through designated online portals maintained by law enforcement agencies.
The Burlington Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements and makes non-confidential portions available for public inspection as required by law. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as information that could compromise an ongoing investigation or information specifically protected by other provisions of Iowa law.
How to Look Up Burlington Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Burlington arrest records in 2025 may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The Burlington Police Department has established multiple channels through which arrest record information may be accessed:
- In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Burlington Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit a request for arrest records. Proper identification may be required, and applicable fees may apply for document reproduction.
Burlington Police Department
424 North 3rd Street
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-8375
Burlington Police Department
- Des Moines County Courthouse: The Clerk of Court maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Des Moines County Courthouse
513 North Main Street
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-8272
Des Moines County Courthouse
Online Access: The Burlington Police Department maintains an online portal where certain arrest information is published. This system is updated regularly and provides basic information about recent arrests.
Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests for arrest records via postal mail. Requests should include the full name of the subject, date of birth if known, approximate date of arrest, and contact information for the requestor. A self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees should accompany the request.
Iowa Department of Public Safety: For statewide criminal history information, requests may be submitted to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6066
Iowa Department of Public Safety
Requestors should note that processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the search required. Fees for record retrieval and reproduction are established pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.3 and local ordinances.
Contents of a Burlington Arrest Record
Burlington arrest records contain standardized information as required by Iowa law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known alternative names
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
- Statutory citations and descriptions of the alleged offenses
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking information including processing date and time
- Unique booking or case identification numbers
- Custody status information
- Bail or bond amount, if applicable
- Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification data
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial court appearance information
Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.7, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including but not limited to confidential informant information, details that might compromise an ongoing investigation, juvenile records (except as provided in Iowa Code § 232.149), and personal identifiers such as social security numbers.
The Burlington Police Department maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats in accordance with departmental records retention schedules and state archival requirements. The integrity and security of these records are maintained through established chain-of-custody protocols and access controls.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Burlington
Under Iowa law, certain individuals may be eligible to petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by Burlington law enforcement agencies. Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records are removed from public access, effectively sealing them from general public view. The authority for expungement is established under Iowa Code Chapter 901C.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of Burlington arrest records typically include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of all charges
- Cases where the defendant has received a deferred judgment and has successfully completed the terms of probation
- Certain alcohol-related offenses after a specified waiting period
- Non-violent misdemeanors after a designated period of time has elapsed since completion of sentence
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Des Moines County District Court. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 901C.2, the petition must include:
- The date of arrest
- The county where the arrest occurred
- The case number and court disposition
- The defendant's date of birth
- A statement that the defendant has paid all court costs, fees, and restitution
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing. If the court determines that the statutory requirements have been met, an order of expungement will be issued. This order directs all relevant agencies, including the Burlington Police Department, to seal the records related to the arrest.
It should be noted that expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and court personnel for official purposes. Additionally, certain professional licensing boards and government agencies may have statutory authority to access expunged records for background investigation purposes.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves legal complexities and may benefit from consultation with legal counsel familiar with Iowa expungement law.
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