Arrest records are public in Worcester County, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that government-generated documents, including arrest records, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute. This framework promotes judicial transparency and governmental accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding arrests within their communities.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law mandates that Records Access Officers (RAOs) must respond to requests within 10 business days following receipt of the request, as specified under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a). Requesters may obtain copies of arrest records by submitting a formal public records request to the appropriate law enforcement agency or through the Worcester County court system.
Worcester County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and authorized third-party providers. The Massachusetts Trial Court maintains an electronic case access system where members of the public may search for case information, including arrests that have resulted in criminal proceedings.
The Worcester Police Department provides limited arrest information through their official website, including recent booking logs and daily incident reports. These resources typically include basic information such as the arrestee's name, age, charges filed, and arrest date.
It should be noted that while online access provides convenience, the comprehensiveness and currency of electronically available records may vary. Some records may be subject to redaction pursuant to privacy protections under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c), which exempts personnel and medical files from disclosure.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Worcester County arrest records. Members of the public seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
Worcester Police Department
9-11 Lincoln Square
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 799-8600
Official Police Department Website
Worcester County District Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-2000
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access system, which provides searchable databases of criminal cases, including arrest information.
Utilize the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system, which requires registration and payment of statutory fees pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, § 172.
Contact the Worcester County Sheriff's Office for information regarding individuals currently in custody:
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
5 Paul X. Tivnan Drive
West Boylston, MA 01583
Phone: (508) 854-1800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Requesters should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and date of birth if available. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), agencies may assess reasonable fees for copying and search services.
Worcester County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and processing of an individual's arrest. Standard elements included in these records are:
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), including information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or could compromise ongoing investigations.
Massachusetts law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U. Individuals seeking expungement in Worcester County must file a petition with the court that maintained jurisdiction over the case.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires submission of a petition to the Commissioner of Probation and notification to the District Attorney's office, which has 30 days to object pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276, § 100K. If granted, expungement results in the permanent deletion of all records pertaining to the arrest from court, probation, and law enforcement databases.
Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through:
Worcester County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
44 Front Street, Suite 1810
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 752-1311
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM