Coos County Public Records / Coos County Arrest Records

Coos County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Coos County in 2026

CoosRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Coos County, New Hampshire. Members of the public may find booking details, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Available record categories include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, charge classifications, and arresting agency details. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the source and the disposition of the underlying case.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Coos County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest records for individuals processed through the county jail. The Sheriff's Department serves as the primary law enforcement and detention authority for Coos County. Members of the public may contact the office directly to inquire about current inmate status and recent bookings. Records available through this office include arrestee name, booking number, charges, bond status, and custody status. Information is updated as bookings occur.

2. Local Police Departments

Several municipal police departments operate within Coos County and maintain their own arrest logs and press release archives. The Berlin Police Department and Lancaster Police Department, among others, periodically publish arrest information through official channels. Press releases containing arrest information are available through department websites and local news outlets. Members of the public seeking records from a specific municipal arrest should contact the relevant department directly.

Berlin Police Department 135 Mason Street Berlin, NH 03570 Phone: (603) 752-3131 Berlin Police Department

Lancaster Police Department 25 Main Street Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-4531 Lancaster Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to court case filings. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch provides an online case lookup tool through which members of the public may search by arrestee name to locate associated criminal case records. The New Hampshire court case search allows users to identify case numbers, scheduled hearings, and charge information connected to an arrest.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of State Police, maintains the state criminal history repository. Members of the public may request a criminal history record check through the New Hampshire State Police. A fee applies for non-fingerprint-based name searches. The repository includes arrest and disposition data submitted by law enforcement agencies statewide.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Coos County Sheriff's Office 55 School Street Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-4521 Coos County Sheriff's Department

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Copy fees apply per page as established by the office. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Clerk of Court:

Coos County Superior Court 55 School Street, Suite 301 Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-4900 New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Criminal case files are available for inspection during regular court hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with court fee schedules.

By Mail:

Written requests submitted to the Coos County Sheriff's Office should include the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's full contact information. Payment for copies must accompany the request. Processing time varies and is subject to the volume of pending requests.

By Phone:

The Coos County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (603) 788-4521. Telephone inquiries are limited in scope; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person for detailed records. Basic custody status information may be available by phone with the subject's name and date of birth.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request records through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed arrest documentation not otherwise available to the general public. Records obtained through legal proceedings are governed by applicable court rules and protective orders.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest

Are Arrest Records Public in Coos County

Arrest records in Coos County are public records subject to disclosure under New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law, codified at RSA § 91-A. This statute establishes the public's right to access governmental records, including law enforcement records, subject to specific exemptions. Arrest records are made available to promote government transparency, support public safety awareness, facilitate journalism and research, and enable background screening for employment and licensing purposes.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under state law)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
Sealed records (subject to court-ordered confidentiality)
Active investigation information
Undercover officer identities
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain cases
Witness protection participants

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The New Hampshire Constitution, Part I, Article 8, affirms the public's right to access government records. Courts have consistently balanced transparency interests against individual privacy rights. The First Amendment provides press organizations with access to arrest information as a matter of public concern. Due process considerations inform the distinction between an arrest record and a record of conviction.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers and landlords must comply with FCRA requirements when using consumer reports that include arrest data. The distinction between an arrest and a conviction is legally significant; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

What's in Coos County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name
Aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth
Age at time of arrest
Sex/gender
Race/ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in disclosure)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, or New Hampshire State Police)
Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions
Classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Gang-related designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not typically included in public records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond type: cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond
Release date and time, if released
Release conditions, if public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment, if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report details)
Witness statements
Victim information
Evidence collected
Investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and are subject to separate disclosure rules
Court records: Document legal proceedings initiated after arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources including court, law enforcement, and state repositories

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Coos County?

Under RSA § 91-A:4, governmental bodies may charge fees for copies of public records, provided such fees do not exceed the actual cost of providing the records. Current fees at the Coos County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court are as follows:

Record Type	Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25–$1.00 (varies by office)
Certified copies	$5.00–$10.00 per document
Electronic records (where available)	Varies; may be provided at no charge
Search fee	No statutory search fee under RSA § 91-A

Inspection of records at the office is available at no charge
Fees for copies are assessed per page
Certification fees apply when a certified copy is requested
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance varies by office
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon written request and demonstration of financial need
Court records obtained through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch online system may carry nominal transaction fees

Members of the public may inspect records in person at no cost. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Coos County

Under New Hampshire law, the process for removing arrest records from public access involves either annulment (the state's equivalent of expungement) or sealing. Annulment, governed by RSA § 651:5, results in the legal erasure of a criminal record, after which the individual may lawfully state that no such arrest or conviction occurred. Sealing restricts public access to a record without destroying it, and law enforcement retains access to sealed records.

Eligibility for Annulment:

Charges that were dismissed or resulted in a not-guilty verdict may be eligible for immediate annulment
Convictions for misdemeanors and certain felonies become eligible after a waiting period that varies based on the offense class and sentence imposed
Certain offenses, including violent felonies and sexual offenses, are not eligible for annulment
The petitioner must not have been convicted of any other offense during the waiting period

Steps to Petition for Annulment:

Obtain the case number and docket information from the Coos County Superior Court or the applicable district court
Complete the Petition for Annulment form, available through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch
File the petition with the court that handled the underlying case
Pay the applicable filing fee or request a fee waiver
Serve the petition on the prosecuting agency (typically the County Attorney's Office)
Attend the scheduled hearing if the court requires one
If granted, the court issues an annulment order, which is forwarded to the New Hampshire State Police and relevant law enforcement agencies for record update

Coos County Attorney's Office 55 School Street Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-2670 Coos County Government

New Hampshire Public Defender 10 Ferry Street, Suite 202 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 224-1236 New Hampshire Public Defender

What Happens After Arrest in Coos County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Coos County Jail, which serves as the primary detention facility for the county. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county's geographic area.

Coos County Department of Corrections (Jail) 55 School Street Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-4521 Coos County Sheriff's Department

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the facility, the booking process is initiated. This process typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include:

Personal information recorded
Photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected
Criminal history and outstanding warrants checked
Personal property inventoried and stored
Medical and mental health screening conducted
Housing classification determined

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under New Hampshire court rules, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge or magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, excluding weekends and holidays, for an initial appearance. At this hearing:

Formal charges are read
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are explained

Hearings may be conducted via video conference. Court schedules are available through the New Hampshire Judicial Branch.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond:

Full bond amount paid in cash to the court or jail
Refunded upon case conclusion, minus applicable fees
Amount set by judge or magistrate

Surety Bond:

A licensed bail bondsman posts the full amount
The defendant pays a non-refundable premium, typically ten percent
The bondsman assumes financial responsibility for the defendant's appearance

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond):

Released on a written promise to appear
No monetary payment required
Granted based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and flight risk assessment

No Bond:

Individual held without bail
Applied in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants

Conditions of Release:

Scheduled check-in requirements
Travel restrictions
No-contact orders
Drug and alcohol testing
GPS monitoring
Pretrial supervision reporting

4. Release or Continued Detention

If Bond Posted:

Processing time for release is typically one to eight hours
Personal property is returned
Written court date and conditions of release are provided
Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant

If Bond Not Posted:

Individual remains in custody pending case resolution
Housing assignment, inmate orientation, commissary account setup, and visitation schedule are provided

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:

Indigent defendants are entitled to appointed counsel. Eligibility is based on income. The New Hampshire Public Defender provides representation in criminal matters throughout the state.

New Hampshire Public Defender – North Country Office Contact through main office: 10 Ferry Street, Suite 202 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 224-1236 New Hampshire Public Defender

Private Attorney:

Defendants have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of proceedings. The New Hampshire Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service. Attorney consultations at the jail are confidential.

Charging Decision:

Prosecutor's Review:

The Coos County Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges. Options include filing an information or seeking a grand jury indictment, requesting additional investigation, declining to prosecute, or filing different or additional charges.

Grand Jury:

For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed. The grand jury process does not include defense participation and results in an indictment if the panel finds sufficient cause.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, formal charges are read and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at this stage. Subsequent court dates are scheduled.

Court Process Overview:

Pretrial Phase:

Discovery: Exchange of police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and recordings between prosecution and defense
Pretrial Motions: Motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or compel discovery
Pretrial Conferences: Meetings between counsel and the court to assess case status and explore resolution
Plea Negotiations: The prosecutor may offer a plea agreement involving reduced charges or a sentencing recommendation

Case Resolution Options:

Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness unavailability, or legal defects; may be eligible for annulment
Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court; successful completion results in dismissal
Plea Agreement: Defendant accepts guilty or no contest plea; sentencing hearing scheduled
Trial: Jury or bench trial; verdict of guilty or not guilty; sentencing follows a guilty verdict

Sentencing (if convicted):

The court may impose incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment requirements, or a combination. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. Appeal rights are explained at sentencing.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)
First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months in most cases
Felonies: May extend six months to over one year
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the New Hampshire Constitution, Part I, Article 14

Rights Throughout the Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to counsel
Right to a speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

Important Contacts:

Coos County Sheriff's Office / Jail 55 School Street Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-4521 Coos County Sheriff's Department

Coos County Superior Court – Clerk of Court 55 School Street, Suite 301 Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-4900 New Hampshire Judicial Branch

Coos County Attorney's Office 55 School Street Lancaster, NH 03584 Phone: (603) 788-2670 Coos County Government

New Hampshire Public Defender 10 Ferry Street, Suite 202 Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 224-1236 New Hampshire Public Defender

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than retained or appointed counsel
Contact family or friends regarding bail assistance
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Coos County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in New Hampshire is governed by state law, the New Hampshire Division of Archives and Records Management schedules, and individual agency policies. The New Hampshire Division of Archives and Records Management publishes retention schedules applicable to law enforcement and court records.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, New Hampshire State Police criminal history repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the state repository
Court records for misdemeanor convictions are retained for a minimum of ten years and in many cases permanently in electronic systems

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains records for a minimum of several years
Court records may be retained permanently unless annulled
State repository retains records unless updated by court order

Acquittals:

Court records are often retained permanently
Local law enforcement retains records for a defined period
Records may be eligible for annulment under RSA § 651:5

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records are retained for a minimum period before potential purging
Eligible for annulment petition in many circumstances

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained according to agency-specific schedules
Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and offense classification

Digital Records:

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records and records management system entries are often retained permanently
Mugshot databases may retain images indefinitely absent a court order
Court electronic records are generally permanent

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies may retain records indefinitely
These entities are not controlled by law enforcement and may not update records following annulment
The FCRA requires accuracy and imposes obligations on consumer reporting agencies

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:

Booking records and arrest reports are retained according to the applicable state retention schedule
Investigative files are retained based on offense classification and case outcome

Clerk of Court:

Felony case files: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor case files: Minimum ten years; electronic records often permanent
Traffic cases: Varies by offense classification

New Hampshire State Police – Criminal Records Unit:

Maintains the state criminal history repository
Includes arrests from all jurisdictions in New Hampshire
Retention follows state policy and is updated upon receipt of court orders

FBI Database:

The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain federal records
Federal retention is typically permanent
Accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide for background checks related to employment, firearms, and other purposes

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in most databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: May remain in databases unless annulled; not always reported on standard background checks
Annulment: Physical destruction or sealing of local records; state repository updated; FBI database may retain with notation; removal timeframe varies by agency
No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after a defined period; immediate annulment may be available

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. New Hampshire does not currently impose a blanket ban-the-box law at the state level for private employers, though certain public employment restrictions apply. Arrests without conviction carry no legal presumption of guilt and their use in employment decisions is subject to federal and state anti-discrimination guidance.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Coos County Sheriff's Records Division at (603) 788-4521 to inquire about the status of a specific arrest record. A written public records request submitted under RSA § 91-A may be required. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.

Lookup Arrest Records in Coos County

Coos County Sheriff's Department