Arrest Records in Alaska

Alaska is by far the largest state in the U.S.: it is over two times the size of Texas, the next largest state. Yet, it is also the least densely populated by a considerable margin: Alaska’s population of 737,438 averages out to just 1.3 persons per square mile and the state has the 48th smallest population of the 50 states. Alaska’s largest city is Anchorage, with a population of around 294,000, and the state capital is Juneau. 

Although Alaska is sparsely populated, it experiences a much higher rate of crime than most other states, logging a violent crime rate of 8.85 incidents per 1,000 in 2018, along with a property crime rate of 33 incidents per 1,000. 

Anchorage is the state’s most dangerous city with a population of over 10,000, and it’s 13.10 per 1,000 violent crime rate is over 3.5 times higher than the national average. Alaska’s high crime rates coincide with a higher-than-average rate of arrests. 

What is a public arrest record?

An arrest record is a report produced by a law enforcement entity after the arrest or apprehension of an individual which contains the details of the incident, the individual’s personal information, and occasionally includes additional information about the individual’s criminal record.

An arrest record is often a key document in a criminal case and may play a significant role in an ensuing trial. The arrest record may remain in the public record for a long time regardless of whether the suspect is ultimately convicted of the crime(s) for which they were initially arrested. This means that it can be accessed by the general public.  

What is included in a public arrest record?

• Description of the incident: An arrest record will include a chronological account of the alleged crime produced by the arresting officer that may utilize information provided by first-hand witnesses and/or victims of the alleged crime. 
• Date and location of the arrest
• Physical description: The height, weight, hair color, sex, and race of the arrested person, along with other distinguishing characteristics such as tattoos, scars, or birthmarks. 
• Personal information: The name, age, date of birth, phone number, address, social security number, and other contact information of the arrested individual, as well as any other names the person may go by. 
• Photographs
• Fingerprints
• Criminal charges filed
• Classification of the crime: Whether the alleged crime is a felony or a misdemeanor.
• Bail
• Court date
• Police interrogation details

What are the types of charges that may appear on an arrest record?

Generally, charges are classified into three main categories:

• Infraction – An infraction is a minor violation of the law that is regulated at the state level. Punishment for an infraction is typically a fine or a written warning, rather than a jail or prison sentence. Examples of infractions include minor traffic violations, public nuisance offenses, and littering. 
• Misdemeanor – A misdemeanor is a crime that is more serious than an infraction, but less severe than a felony, and generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of less than a year, or a term of probation. An individual convicted of a misdemeanor is more likely to serve time in a county or local jail than a federal or state prison. Examples of misdemeanors include driving under the influence, most drug abuse violations, and petty theft.
• Felony – A felony is the most serious type of crime and generally results in a term of imprisonment of more than one year in a state or federal prison. Having a felony on one’s record may result in limitations of employment and the acquisition of specialty licenses. Examples of felonies include rape, murder, and arson.  

Who can access arrest records?

As in most other states, arrest records (also known as arrest reports) are public records in Alaska and can be accessed by anyone upon request to a law enforcement agency, and may come up during a routine background check. 

Other examples of Alaska public records include:

• vital records such as birth and death certificates
• marriage licenses
• mugshots
• court records
• voting records
• property records 

Where are physical copies of arrest records kept in Alaska?

Arrest records are typically held by the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest, usually a local police department or county sheriff’s office. They also may be kept in the archive of a state government agency, or circuit court. However, there is no official repository for arrest records. 

Why can’t I access an arrest record in Alaska?

There are a number of reasons why you may not be able to access an arrest record. Although the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires federal agencies to release arrest records and other public records, records that fall under certain exemptions can be withheld from the public.

The FOIA includes nine exemptions that allow agencies to withhold documents, such as arrest records, and not release them to the public. They are:

1. The information is classified to protect natural security. 
2. The information focuses on the internal rules and practices of the agency.
3. Another federal law prohibits the release of the information.
4. The information includes confidential trade secrets and/or commercial and financial information. 
5. The information includes privileged, confidential communicative exchanges between two agencies. 
6. The information could pose a danger to another person’s privacy if released.
7. The information is reserved for law enforcement purposes in a court case or an investigation or could reveal a confidential source. 
8. The information includes confidential information about financial institution supervision. 
9. The information includes geographical information about wells.

Additionally, some state laws limit the availability of arrest records due to the fact that they are perceived as one-sided documents that do not include the arrested person’s account of the incident. 

What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal record?

Compared to an arrest record, a criminal record is a more thorough document that details an individual’s entire criminal history, including arrest warrants, arrests, third party complaints, convictions, and even dropped cases. 

What is the difference between an arrest record and an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant is a document issued by a judge or magistrate that grants law enforcement the authority to arrest an individual suspected of a crime or to search and seize the individual’s property, whereas an arrest record is a document of an arrest that is only created after an arrest or apprehension has already occurred.  

In order for a judge or magistrate to issue an arrest warrant, they must conclude that there is probable cause for an arrest. Probable cause must be backed by sworn testimony or an affidavit that provides sufficient information supporting the need for an arrest. An arrest warrant must also specify one individual that should be arrested, rather than a group of individuals or a rough description of a suspect. 

How many Americans have been arrested?

While crime has steadily dropped in the United States over the past several decades, arrests have gone up, particularly for younger age groups. Typically, law enforcement makes around 10 million arrests each year. Here are some key statistics on arrests in the United States:

• In 2018, around 10.3 million arrests were made nationwide.
• 73% of arrested persons in 2018 were males.
• The more recent an American was born, the greater the likelihood that the individual has been arrested at least once. The following is the percentage of Americans in various age groups that have been arrested: 
  • 6.4% of Americans  born before 1949
  • 10.7% of Americans born between 1949 and 1958
  • 13.8% of Americans born between 1959 and 1968
  • 18.7% of Americans born between 1969 and 1978
  • 23% of Americans born between 1979-1988

Sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation: RAND Corporation

How to search for Arrest Records in Alaska

How can I search for an Alaska arrest record on the internet?

Since tracking down physical copies of arrest records can prove challenging, searching for them online is a viable option. There is a wealth of online services that allow you to search and access Alaska arrest records and other public records via numerous government agency databases in exchange for a fee. 

However, despite the fact that users must pay to obtain an arrest record from an online service, it’s nevertheless a convenient means of getting these documents. The offices of government agencies are often marred by inconsistent service and take a long time to process requests to view documents. 

Sometimes it’s worth it to pay a fee to use an online background check service, rather than endure the extended delays typical of government offices.  

Getting physical copies of public arrest records in Alaska

Alaska has a statute that allows “Any Person” to receive state criminal justice information by filling out and submitting a form to the Alaska Department of Public Safety Criminal Records and Identification Bureau. People can search for documents relating to their own criminal history, or the criminal history of another individual. There are two methods of requesting searches:

1. Fingerprint Identification Request – The recommended type of background check. Fingerprints must be submitted in addition to the completed form. If the subject of the search is different from the requester, the subject must sign the form, indicating they have given their permission for the search. The fee for a fingerprint-based check is $35, along with $5 for every additional copy. Payment must be made by check or money order. 
   • FD-258 fingerprint form
   • List of approved fingerprinters
2. Name Search Request – A background check based on searching by an individual’s name. While these are easier to submit, they may not bring up criminal history filed under other names that a fingerprint-based search would bring up. There are two types of forms: one for those requesting their own criminal history, and one for those requesting the criminal history of another person. The fee for a name search request is $20, along with $5 for each additional copy. Payment must be made by check or money order. 
   • Criminal Justice Information from record subject
   • Criminal Justice Information from other than record subject

All requests must be submitted to the following address, either by mail or in-person:

Criminal Records and Identification Bureau

5700 E. Tudor Road

Anchorage, AK 99507

The Bureau can be reached by telephone at (907) 269-5767 or via fax at (907) 269-5091. Results can be mailed or faxed, but not both unless additional copies are purchased. 

What can I do if my arrest record has a mistake?

The State of Alaska Department of Public Safety also allows persons to request information be changed or corrected on an arrest record or other state criminal justice information document. This can be done by filling out a Request to Correct Criminal Justice Information form and submitting it by mail or in-person to the address below. There is no fee to submit the form. 

Criminal Records and Identification Bureau

5700 E. Tudor Road

Anchorage, AK 99507

The form allows you to request to correct one of the following problems with an arrest record or other criminal history document:

• Mistaken identity / Falsely accused
• Personal descriptors in error
• Charge information in error
• Missing / wrong court or prosecutor disposition information
• Set aside information is missing

If court documents that support the need for correction are available, they should be attached and submitted along with the form. 

Can I have an arrest record sealed in Alaska?

The State of Alaska Department of Public Safety allows individuals to request that an arrest record or other criminal justice history document be sealed as long as the document originated in Alaska and not another state. Once the record is sealed, it can no longer be accessed by the general public. 

In order to complete a request, a person must fill out a Request to Seal Criminal Justice Information form and submit it via mail or in-person to:

Criminal Records and Identification Bureau

5700 E. Tudor Road

Anchorage, AK 99507

The form requires applicants to submit supporting verification and/or documentation depending on the circumstances of the situation and the document they wish to be sealed. 

Alaska Courthouse and Sheriff Information by Borough

If you’re worried that someone you know or love has a criminal record and maybe hiding it from you, run a quick background check online with ArrestRecords.com. Thanks to public records laws, almost all Arizona arrests, criminal and civil records are available online, as well as comprehensive background checks and secret data. You can even find Arizona marriage records, secret divorce records as well as birth and death records.

Violent Crime rate 

Property Crime rate 

Murder Crime rate 

Forcible Rapes rate  

Robbery rate 

Assault rate 

Burglary rate 

Theft rate 

Motor Vehicle Theft rate