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Norfolk Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Norfolk, Nebraska?

Arrest records are public documents in Norfolk, Nebraska, pursuant to the Nebraska Public Records Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 to 84-712.09). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including arrest information, to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations. The statute specifically mandates that all public records shall be free for examination by any person during normal business hours, unless otherwise expressly provided by statute.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Norfolk Police Division and the Madison County Sheriff's Department as part of their right to information about governmental activities. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

Promoting community awareness of law enforcement activities
Enabling background checks for employment or housing purposes
Supporting journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
Facilitating research on crime patterns and law enforcement practices

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as determined by Nebraska state law.

How to Look Up Norfolk Arrest Records in 2025

The Norfolk Police Division maintains comprehensive arrest records that are accessible through multiple channels. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods to obtain these public records:

Visit the Norfolk Police Division Records Department: Members of the public may request arrest records in person during regular business hours.

Norfolk Police Division
202 N. 7th Street
Norfolk, NE 68701
402-844-2140
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Madison County Sheriff's Department: The county sheriff maintains arrest records for the broader Madison County area, including Norfolk.

Madison County Sheriff's Department
1313 N Main Street
Madison, NE 68748
402-454-2110
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website
Online Access: The Norfolk Police Division provides daily police reports through their official website, which includes recent arrest information.
Written Request: Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712.03, citizens may submit a written request for copies of arrest records. The custodian of records must provide these documents within four business days unless the request cannot reasonably be fulfilled within that timeframe.
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at the Norfolk Public Library for accessing certain public records databases.

Norfolk Public Library
308 W Prospect Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
402-844-2100
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Friday-Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records. A standard fee schedule applies for copies of records as established by the Norfolk City Council.

Contents of a Norfolk Arrest Record

Norfolk arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Nebraska state law and local regulations. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of the arresting officer
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Nebraska state statutes or Norfolk municipal codes (as referenced in Norfolk City Code)
Case Processing Information: Booking number, court case number, arraignment date, and bail or bond amount if applicable
Disposition Information: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system
Photographic Documentation: Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during the arrest processing
Fingerprint Records: Digital or ink fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures

The Norfolk Police Division maintains these records in accordance with Nebraska Administrative Code Title 78, Chapter 2, which establishes standards for law enforcement record-keeping. Pursuant to state regulations, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.

The Police Incident Reports database contains additional contextual information about circumstances surrounding arrests, though access to certain details may be restricted based on case status and privacy considerations.

Legal Uses of Norfolk Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by the Norfolk Police Division and Madison County Sheriff's Department serve multiple legitimate purposes within the legal framework established by Nebraska state law. Authorized uses include:

Criminal Justice Operations: Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and corrections departments utilize arrest records for case management, investigation, and sentencing decisions.
Background Verification: Employers may access arrest records when conducting pre-employment screening for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations, subject to the limitations established in the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-1101 et seq.).
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may review arrest records when evaluating rental applications, though they must comply with fair housing regulations.
Professional Licensing: Regulatory boards for professions such as healthcare, education, and financial services may consider arrest records when evaluating license applications or renewals.
Immigration Proceedings: Federal immigration authorities may utilize local arrest records when making determinations regarding immigration status or deportation proceedings.
Civil Litigation: Attorneys may access arrest records as part of discovery in civil cases where criminal history is relevant to the proceedings.

The Norfolk City Attorney's Office prosecutes municipal code violations and works with the Madison County Attorney on cases involving state law violations. Both offices maintain records related to the prosecution of cases stemming from arrests within Norfolk city limits.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Norfolk are generally public documents, Nebraska state law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute § 29-3523, certain arrest records may be sealed by court order and thus removed from public access. This typically occurs in cases where charges were dismissed, the individual was acquitted, or after the completion of diversion programs.
Juvenile Records: Arrest records for individuals under 18 years of age are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Nebraska Juvenile Code (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2,108).
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to active criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712.05(5).
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth may be redacted from public copies of arrest records to prevent identity theft.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged through court order are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred.

The Norfolk Police Division's Records Department applies these statutory limitations when processing public records requests. Individuals who believe their records are subject to these exceptions may need to provide documentation supporting their claim for restricted access.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Norfolk

Nebraska law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access and, in some cases, physically destroyed. In Norfolk, this process is governed by Nebraska Revised Statute § 29-3523 and related court procedures.

Individuals may qualify for expungement of their Norfolk arrest records under the following circumstances:

The arrest did not lead to a formal charge within one year (for misdemeanors) or three years (for felonies)
The charges were dismissed by the prosecutor or the court
The individual was acquitted (found not guilty) at trial
The conviction was set aside or pardoned
The individual has completed a pre-trial diversion program

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Madison County District Court, located at:

Madison County District Court
1313 N Main Street
Madison, NE 68748
402-454-3311
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Petitioners must provide documentation supporting their eligibility for expungement, including court records showing case disposition and evidence of completed requirements. The court may schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that expungement serves the interests of justice and public safety.

If granted, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies, including the Norfolk Police Division and Madison County Sheriff's Department, to seal or destroy the specified records. Following expungement, the individual may legally state that the arrest never occurred in most contexts, including employment applications.

Impact of Arrest Records on Employment

Arrest records from the Norfolk Police Division can significantly impact employment opportunities for affected individuals. Nebraska employers must navigate both state and federal regulations when utilizing criminal history information in hiring decisions:

Ban the Box Ordinance: While Nebraska has not enacted statewide "ban the box" legislation, some employers voluntarily delay criminal history inquiries until later in the hiring process.
EEOC Guidelines: Employers must comply with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance, which recommends individualized assessment of criminal records rather than blanket exclusions.
Fair Credit Reporting Act: When using third-party background check services to access arrest records, employers must follow FCRA requirements for disclosure, authorization, and adverse action procedures.
Industry-Specific Regulations: Certain sectors, including healthcare, education, financial services, and transportation, have statutory prohibitions against hiring individuals with specific types of criminal history.
Public Employment: Government agencies in Norfolk may have specific policies regarding consideration of arrest records for civil service positions.

Individuals with arrest records seeking employment in Norfolk should understand their rights under these regulations. The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission provides guidance on employment discrimination related to criminal history:

Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission
301 Centennial Mall South, 5th Floor
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-2024
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM