Berkshire County, Massachusetts Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Berkshire County, Massachusetts?
Arrest records are public documents in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the Commonwealth. Under this law, records created or maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, are presumptively public unless specifically exempted by statute.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the principle that transparency in government functions serves the public interest. Consequently, arrest records maintained by the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department, local police departments, and court systems within the county are accessible to members of the public. These records document official actions taken by government agencies and provide accountability within the criminal justice system.
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with exemptions provided in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26). These exemptions protect specific categories of sensitive information, including but not limited to:
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Investigatory materials that could compromise ongoing law enforcement proceedings
- Information that might endanger public safety if disclosed
- Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (governed by separate confidentiality provisions)
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Berkshire County?
Berkshire County arrest records are available through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of these digital resources varies. The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system, administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, serves as the primary official online repository for criminal history information, including arrest data from Berkshire County.
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 172, the iCORI database provides authorized users with the ability to conduct name-based criminal record checks. Access levels to this system are tiered based on statutory authorization, with different categories of users (employers, landlords, individuals seeking their own records, etc.) granted varying degrees of information access.
The Berkshire County Sheriff's Department maintains limited online information regarding current inmates and recent arrests. Additionally, the Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case access system provides online access to court records that may contain information about arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings.
Members of the public should be aware that commercial third-party websites also aggregate and publish arrest information. However, these non-governmental sources may not maintain current or accurate information, as they are not subject to the same updating requirements as official government databases.
How to Look Up Berkshire County Arrest Records in 2025
Individuals seeking Berkshire County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Massachusetts Public Records Law establishes the right of access, and multiple agencies maintain repositories of arrest data. The following methods are available for accessing Berkshire County arrest records:
Massachusetts iCORI System: The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services maintains the official statewide criminal history database. Requestors may submit applications through the online portal at https://icori.chs.state.ma.us/icori/ext/global/landing.action. Fees apply for most requests, with current standard fees set at $25 per name-based search.
Berkshire County Sheriff's Department
467 Cheshire Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 443-7220
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Sheriff's Department maintains records of arrests and incarcerations within its jurisdiction. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated online systems pursuant to county record-keeping requirements.Berkshire County District Court Clerk's Office
76 East Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 443-8336
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the clerk's office. Pursuant to Trial Court policy, requestors may submit applications in person or by mail using the designated request form.Local Police Departments: Municipal police departments throughout Berkshire County maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions. Requests should be directed to the records division of the specific department where the arrest occurred.
Requestors should note that processing times vary by agency and request volume. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time.
Contents of a Berkshire County Arrest Record
Berkshire County arrest records typically contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These records serve both administrative and legal purposes within the criminal justice system. Standard arrest records in Berkshire County contain the following categories of information:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, place of birth, Social Security Number (partially redacted in public copies), gender, race, and known aliases or previous names.
Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars. These descriptors conform to standardized law enforcement identification protocols.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); statutory authority for the arrest; and whether the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant.
Criminal Charges: Massachusetts General Laws chapter and section citations for alleged violations; classification of charges as felonies or misdemeanors; and preliminary charge descriptions.
Processing Information: Booking photographs (mugshots), fingerprint records, property inventory, and medical screening results as required by detention facility regulations.
Case Disposition: Court of jurisdiction, docket number, arraignment date, bail determination, and preliminary hearing schedule.
It should be noted that pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 167-178B, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including victim information, witness identifiers, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Berkshire County
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records maintained in Berkshire County. Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure and destruction of records, rendering them inaccessible to both the public and government agencies. This process differs from sealing, which merely restricts access while preserving the underlying records.
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E-100U (as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018), individuals may petition for expungement of Berkshire County arrest records under the following circumstances:
- The arrest resulted from false identification or the unauthorized use of the petitioner's identity
- The offense for which the person was arrested has been decriminalized (e.g., possession of small amounts of marijuana)
- The petitioner was under 21 at the time of the offense, and specific statutory criteria are met
- The arrest record resulted from demonstrable errors by law enforcement or court personnel
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation and the relevant Berkshire County court. Petitioners must provide documentation supporting their eligibility under the statutory criteria. The court reviews petitions to determine whether expungement would be "in the best interests of justice."
Individuals seeking expungement of Berkshire County arrest records should be aware that the process is highly discretionary and subject to judicial review. The Massachusetts Probation Service provides standardized petition forms and procedural guidance through their office:
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-5300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:45 AM - 5:00 PM
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