Fall River Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fall River, Massachusetts?
Yes, arrest records are public in Fall River, Massachusetts. This accessibility is governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10), which establishes the framework for public access to governmental records. The statute mandates that records created or maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be available for inspection by members of the public. This legal provision serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability, enabling citizens to access information including arrest records. However, certain exemptions exist under M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(26) that may restrict access to specific information due to privacy concerns, ongoing investigations, or public safety considerations.
How to Look Up Fall River Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Fall River provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws and local ordinances, the following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:
Online Public Records Portal: The City of Fall River has implemented GovQA, a digital public records request system that allows citizens to submit and track requests for arrest records electronically. This system operates in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law.
Fall River Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Records Access Officer at the Fall River Police Department. The department maintains records of arrests, incident reports, and related documentation.
Bristol County District Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings may be accessed through the court clerk's office, located at 186 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721.
Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI): For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request CORI reports through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
Requestors should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and reproduction, as authorized under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10(d).
Contents of a Fall River Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Fall River Police Department typically contain the following categories of information, as prescribed by Massachusetts law enforcement protocols and recordkeeping standards:
- Full legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citation and description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
- Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
- Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint records
- Demographic information including date of birth, physical description, and last known address
- Case disposition information, if available
- Booking number and other administrative identifiers
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance information and bail determination
It should be noted that pursuant to Massachusetts privacy regulations, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to juveniles as protected under M.G.L. Chapter 119, Section 60A.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fall River
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by Fall River law enforcement agencies. The Law Department of Fall River advises that expungement procedures are governed by M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, as amended by the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018.
Expungement eligibility criteria include:
- Cases resulting in no conviction (e.g., dismissals, not guilty findings)
- Cases involving mistaken identity or unauthorized use of personal identifying information
- Offenses that are no longer criminalized under Massachusetts law
- Certain juvenile records after statutorily defined waiting periods
- Adult records after completion of waiting periods (generally 3-7 years depending on offense severity)
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal applications with the Commissioner of Probation and the court of original jurisdiction. Upon review of the petition, judicial authorities determine whether the legal standard for expungement has been satisfied, considering factors such as the nature of the offense, the petitioner's age at time of offense, subsequent criminal history, and rehabilitation evidence.
When granted, expungement results in the permanent deletion of records from all criminal justice agencies, including the Fall River Police Department, Bristol County courts, and state databases. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100M, expunged records shall not be considered in any decision-making process, including employment and housing applications.
Search Arrest Records in Fall River
Fall River Police Department
685 Pleasant Street
Fall River, MA 02721-4305
Phone: (508) 676-8511
Fall River Police Department Records DivisionBristol County District Court
186 South Main Street
Fall River, MA 02721
Phone: (508) 491-3200
Court Records Request Portal
