Arrest records are public in Norfolk, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts adheres to principles of governmental transparency, which extends to documentation of arrests made within Norfolk County jurisdictions.
Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to information about law enforcement activities. The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, which oversees public records compliance, affirms that arrest logs and related documentation fall within the category of public records unless specifically exempted by statute. These exemptions typically involve ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety.
The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office maintains that public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including:
The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain systems for public access to arrest records. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 172, the following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Norfolk:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Norfolk Police Department Records Division located at:
Norfolk Police Department
14 Sharon Avenue
Norfolk, MA 02056
Phone: (508) 528-3206
Norfolk Police Department Official Website
Office hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding state holidays. Requestors must complete a standard Public Records Request Form and present valid government-issued identification.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the above address, with "Records Request" clearly indicated on the envelope. All written requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, and specific details about the records being sought.
Electronic requests are processed through the Norfolk County Records Management Portal. Pursuant to updates to the Massachusetts Public Records Law effective January 1, 2025, all electronic requests must be acknowledged within 5 business days, and records must be provided within 10 business days unless an extension is warranted under § 10(b) of the law.
The Norfolk District Court also maintains arrest records related to cases within its jurisdiction at:
Norfolk District Court
57 Providence Highway
Dedham, MA 02026
Phone: (781) 329-4777
Standard fees apply for record retrieval services in accordance with 950 CMR 32.07. As of 2025, these fees include:
Norfolk County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 33. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) regulations further specify the content and format of these records. Standard arrest records in Norfolk County contain the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual includes:
Arrest details documented in the record include:
Post-arrest processing information typically includes:
Pursuant to the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reform enacted in Massachusetts, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information related to victims or witnesses.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The CORI Reform Act of 2018 (Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018) expanded eligibility for expungement in Norfolk County and throughout Massachusetts.
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U, individuals may petition for expungement if their arrest records meet the following criteria:
The petition process requires submission of standardized forms to the Commissioner of Probation and the Norfolk District Court. The petition must include:
The Norfolk District Attorney's Office must be notified of all expungement petitions and has 30 days to file an objection. Hearings on contested petitions are conducted by the Norfolk District Court located at:
Norfolk District Court
57 Providence Highway
Dedham, MA 02026
If granted, an expungement order requires all criminal justice agencies to remove the record from all publicly accessible databases. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100T, expunged records shall not disqualify a person in any examination, appointment or application for public employment, nor shall such records be used against the person in any way.
The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services oversees compliance with expungement orders and maintains a secure, non-public archive of expunged records accessible only by court order in extraordinary circumstances.