Bristol County, Massachusetts Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bristol County, Massachusetts?

Arrest records in Bristol County, Massachusetts are public documents pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 66, § 10). This statute establishes that government-generated records within the Commonwealth are accessible to members of the public, with certain statutory exemptions. The law operates under the presumption of openness, meaning that records are considered public unless specifically exempted by law.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law defines public records as materials made or received by any officer or employee of any Massachusetts governmental entity. Arrest records, as documents created by law enforcement agencies during the course of their official duties, fall within this definition. These records document the apprehension and detention of individuals suspected of criminal activity within Bristol County.

Exemptions that may apply to certain portions of arrest records include:

• Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy (M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c))
• Investigatory materials that could prejudice effective law enforcement if released (M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(f))
• Information related to ongoing criminal investigations (M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(f))

The Bristol County Sheriff's Office maintains many of these records and processes public records requests in accordance with state law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Bristol County?

Arrest records for Bristol County can be accessed online through various governmental and third-party platforms. The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system, administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), provides the primary framework for the electronic dissemination of criminal record information, including arrest data.

Online access to Bristol County arrest records is available through several channels:

1. The Massachusetts iCORI system allows registered users to obtain certain criminal record information electronically, subject to access levels determined by statute.

2. The Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case access system provides information on criminal cases, which may include arrest information for cases that have proceeded to court.

3. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office website provides limited information regarding current inmate populations and may include booking information related to arrests.

4. Municipal police departments within Bristol County may maintain their own online arrest logs or police blotters that document recent arrest activity.

It should be noted that online access may be limited by various factors, including system capabilities, statutory restrictions, and agency policies. Some records may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.

How to Look Up Bristol County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Bristol County arrest records may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has implemented various systems to facilitate access to criminal justice information while maintaining appropriate privacy safeguards. The following options are available for searching arrest records in Bristol County:

1. Submit a request directly to the Bristol County Sheriff's Office:

Bristol County Sheriff's Office 400 Faunce Corner Road North Dartmouth, MA 02747 Phone: 508-995-6400 Bristol County Sheriff's Office

2. Contact the municipal police department where the arrest occurred. Major departments include:

New Bedford Police Department 871 Rockdale Avenue New Bedford, MA 02740 Phone: 508-991-6300 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Fall River Police Department 685 Pleasant Street Fall River, MA 02721 Phone: 508-676-8511 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Taunton Police Department 23 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508-824-7522 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

3. Submit a CORI request through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services:

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200 Chelsea, MA 02150 Phone: 617-660-4600 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

4. Visit the Bristol County Superior Court Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests:

Bristol County Superior Court 441 County Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Phone: 508-996-2051 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

5. Utilize the Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case access system for cases that have proceeded to court.

6. Access online arrest record databases that compile public information from multiple sources.

Pursuant to Massachusetts law, requestors may be required to provide identification and may be subject to fees for record retrieval and copying services. Certain records may be subject to redaction based on applicable exemptions under the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

Contents of a Bristol County Arrest Record

Bristol County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity. These records are created and maintained in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276 and applicable regulations of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

A comprehensive Bristol County arrest record typically includes the following components:

• Biographical information of the arrested individual:

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Race/ethnicity (as reported)
  • Height, weight, and other physical descriptors
  • Residential address (may be redacted in public versions)

• Arrest details:

  • Date, time, and location of arrest
  • Arresting agency and officer identification
  • Statutory authority for the arrest
  • Criminal charges filed (with reference to applicable Massachusetts General Laws)
  • Incident report number

• Processing information:

  • Booking photograph (mugshot)
  • Fingerprint records
  • Personal property inventory
  • Medical screening results (subject to privacy restrictions)

• Case disposition:

  • Bail determination
  • Court appearance dates
  • Preliminary hearing outcomes
  • Case status (pending, dismissed, convicted)

• Administrative data:

  • Record creation and modification timestamps
  • Identification numbers (booking number, case number)
  • Cross-references to related records

The level of detail available in publicly accessible versions of these records may be limited by applicable exemptions under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)). Certain sensitive information, such as medical data, information related to juveniles, or details that could compromise ongoing investigations, may be redacted prior to public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bristol County

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement of Bristol County arrest records when legally authorized conditions are met.

Expungement constitutes the permanent erasure and destruction of records, rendering the proceedings legally non-existent. This differs from sealing records, which merely restricts access while maintaining the underlying documentation.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Bristol County include:

• Cases resulting in no conviction (e.g., dismissal, not guilty verdict, nolle prosequi)
• Cases where the arrest was based on mistaken identity or false identification
• Offenses that have been decriminalized subsequent to the arrest
• Certain juvenile records after statutory waiting periods
• Cases meeting the requirements of the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act

The expungement process requires:

1. Filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation and the court where the case was adjudicated
2. Submission of supporting documentation establishing eligibility
3. Notification to the District Attorney's Office
4. Judicial review and determination
5. Implementation of the expungement order across all relevant agencies

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office and the court system maintain specific protocols for processing expungement petitions:

Bristol County District Attorney's Office 888 Purchase Street New Bedford, MA 02740 Phone: 508-997-0711 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal determinations. The Massachusetts Court System provides standardized forms for expungement petitions, available at all Bristol County courthouses and online through the Massachusetts Court System website.

Search Arrest Records in Bristol County.

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