Legal Definitions - blotter

Definition: A blotter can refer to two things:

1. An arrest record kept by law enforcement agencies that documents the details of an arrest, including the name of the person arrested, the charges, and the date and location of the arrest.
2. A waste book used in accounting to record transactions before they are entered into a ledger.

Example 1: The police officer checked the blotter to see if the suspect had any prior arrests.

Example 2: The accountant used a blotter to keep track of all the company's expenses before entering them into the ledger.

Both examples illustrate the two different meanings of the term "blotter." In example 1, the blotter refers to an arrest record that the police officer consults to gather information about the suspect. In example 2, the blotter is a waste book used in accounting to record transactions before they are entered into a ledger.