Massachusetts Criminal Record, Court Case and Inmate Lookup Guide
Need to find a recent Massachusetts arrest, check a court date, locate someone in state prison or request an official criminal record? Start with the county or police agency for a fresh arrest, use MassCourts for available case information, VINELink for Massachusetts DOC custody and iCORI for a paid Massachusetts criminal-record request.
Use the Record System That Matches the Question
Start with the arresting police department or county sheriff. A new booking may not appear immediately.
DCJIS lists a $25 fee for an individual personal CORI request.
MassCourts provides free access to available docket, event, party and disposition information.
Massachusetts directs users to VINELink for people held by the Department of Correction.
Someone Was Arrested Today: What to Do First
Choose What You Need to Find
This browser-only helper does not collect a name, date of birth or case number.
How to Find a Recent Massachusetts Arrest by County or City
A recent arrest normally begins with a municipal police department, State Police unit or county sheriff—not with iCORI or Massachusetts DOC. Determine the arrest location before searching.
How to Request Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information
CORI is the official Massachusetts name-based criminal-record route administered by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. It searches Massachusetts court information using a name and date of birth. It is Massachusetts-only and is not fingerprint-supported.
Request | Current listed fee | Best use | Important requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
Personal CORI | $25 | Request your own Massachusetts adult CORI. | A valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID is required to create an individual online account; otherwise use the paper personal request form. |
Open-access CORI | $50 | A member of the public requesting the level of CORI available under open-access rules. | Open access is limited; it is not the same as receiving every police, court or sealed record. |
Personal CORI micro-steps
Search Massachusetts Criminal Court Cases and Hearing Dates
MassCourts provides free access to available Trial Court docket and case information. Depending on the court department and case, the portal may show party, event, docket and disposition details. Online access to criminal cases can be limited, and some searches work best with a docket number.
Term | Plain meaning | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
Arraignment | The formal beginning of the criminal case, where charges are addressed and release conditions may be considered. | Confirm plea, bail conditions and next date. |
Recognizance | Release based on a promise to appear, subject to any conditions. | Read every release condition and future date. |
Continued | The matter was moved to a later date. | Confirm the replacement date with the docket or clerk. |
Dismissed | The charge or case was dismissed, but record-cleanup questions may remain. | Obtain the docket and review sealing eligibility. |
Disposition | The recorded result of a charge or case. | Compare all counts and dates, not only the first entry. |
Warrant | A court order authorizing arrest or another required action. | Contact the court or a lawyer; do not rely on an unofficial warrant site. |
Massachusetts Bail, Arraignment and Release Checks
Before arraignment, a bail magistrate may review release at the police station. At arraignment, the judge can consider bail, release conditions or a dangerousness hearing. The purpose and result depend on the case; this section is procedural guidance, not legal advice.
The police may contact a bail magistrate. The person may be released or held for arraignment.
The court addresses the charges, counsel and conditions of release. A bail or dangerousness hearing may occur.
Release can still take time while receipts, conditions, other warrants and holds are checked.
Before paying bail, confirm these details
Find Someone in Massachusetts State Prison or Another Custody System
Situation | Official starting point | Important limit | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
Recent city or county arrest | Sheriff locations directory or arresting police department | May not appear in DOC or VINE. | Call booking or records when no current roster is offered. |
Massachusetts DOC custody | Massachusetts says only DOC participates in the state VINE program. | Search by name or identifier and register for available alerts. | |
Federal prison | Does not cover state or county custody. | Compare register number, age and facility. | |
Court date or disposition | A court docket is not a live jail roster. | Use the docket to identify the court and case status. |
Massachusetts Prison Visits, Calls, Mail and Deposits
State-prison rules come from Massachusetts DOC. County jail rules come from the individual sheriff. Always confirm the person’s current facility before completing a visitor form, sending mail or depositing money.
Review the facility page, visitor application, schedule, dress code and approved photo-ID rules.
Massachusetts DOC implemented no-cost calls in state correctional facilities; facility and county rules can differ.
Use the exact name, inmate identifier and facility mailing instructions. DOC also publishes CorrLinks email guidance.
Massachusetts DOC uses approved deposit routes including Access Corrections. Confirm the identifier before paying.
Before scheduling a state-prison visit
Find a Massachusetts Public Defender or Criminal Lawyer
Massachusetts’ Committee for Public Counsel Services provides representation for qualifying people when the law requires appointed counsel. Appointment is handled through the court; contacting an office does not itself guarantee assignment.
The Massachusetts Bar Association offers online referrals 24/7 and telephone referrals Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Use the Lawyer Referral Service · 617-654-0400 · 866-627-7577
Questions to ask before hiring
Register for Massachusetts Custody Notifications
Massachusetts victim-notification registration can provide eligible victims, family members, witnesses and others affected by crime with advance notice of release, transfer or other custody changes. VINELink also offers custody-status notification options for participating records.
Use the official victim-notification registration page to review eligibility, forms and contact routes.
Search the Massachusetts VINE portal, open the correct record and select available notification options.
Correct, Seal or Expunge a Massachusetts Criminal Record
Correction, sealing, expungement and private-site removal are different processes. Fix the official source first, then address copies or search results.
Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Is Not an Arrest Search
The Sex Offender Registry Board serves a separate legal purpose. Do not treat a general arrest search, CORI request and sex-offender registry search as interchangeable.
Use the official Massachusetts sex-offender information page to search by personal information or location and review public-access rules.
The Sex Offender Registry Board lists 978-740-6400. Verify any match carefully and follow the registry’s use restrictions.
Massachusetts Criminal Records Phone Numbers, Addresses and Hours
- 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150
- Main: 617-660-4600
- CORI help: 617-660-4640
- Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Use for iCORI, CORI forms, access levels and correction questions.
- 1 Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108
- 617-742-8575 · MassRelay 711
- Individual courthouse hours vary; many are open weekdays during business hours.
- Use the courthouse locator for the clerk handling a specific criminal case.
- 50 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757
- Headquarters: 508-422-3300
- Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Use for state-prison locations, family resources and DOC public records—not every county arrest.
- 20 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
- 617-654-0400 or 866-627-7577
- Telephone: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; online referrals 24/7.
- Use to request a private attorney referral by location and legal issue.
DCJIS Office Map and Visit Guidance
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Confirm whether the issue can be completed online or by mail and what identification, form or appointment is required.
A recent arrest, release time or local visitation question belongs with the police department or county sheriff.
Use the Courthouse Locator for the correct criminal court and clerk.
Why a Massachusetts Arrest or Criminal Record May Not Appear
Booking and complaint preparation may still be underway. Call the arresting agency and ask where the person will be held or arraigned.
VINELink is the state-prison route. A fresh county detainee may be in a sheriff facility or police station.
Try surname only, remove punctuation and test a maiden or hyphenated surname.
Use the docket number, try the correct court department or ask the courthouse about a public-access terminal.
Juvenile, sealed, expunged and legally restricted records may not be publicly available.
Use the BOP locator for federal custody and PACER for federal court records.
Verified Massachusetts Arrest and Criminal-Record Resources
Massachusetts Arrest Records FAQs
Where can I search Massachusetts arrest records?
For a recent arrest, start with the arresting police department or county sheriff. Use MassCourts for available court-case information, iCORI for an official Massachusetts criminal-record request and VINELink for people held by the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
Is there one statewide Massachusetts jail inmate search?
No single portal reliably covers every new city and county arrest. Massachusetts directs users to VINELink for DOC custody and states that only DOC participates in the Massachusetts VINE program. County detainees may require the appropriate sheriff or police department.
How much does a Massachusetts CORI request cost?
DCJIS currently lists $25 for a personal CORI request and $50 for an open-access CORI request. Review the official CORI page before paying because fees and access rules can change.
Can I request my own CORI online?
Yes, when you meet the iCORI registration requirements. Massachusetts states that an individual online account requires a valid Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card. Without one, use the official paper personal request form.
What information does Massachusetts CORI include?
CORI is a name-based Massachusetts criminal-record check that searches available Massachusetts arraignment information using the person’s name and date of birth. It is Massachusetts-only and is not fingerprint-supported.
How do I check a Massachusetts criminal court date?
Search MassCourts using the docket number or available search fields, select the correct court department and review the events and scheduled dates. When the case is unavailable online, contact the courthouse clerk or use a public-access terminal.
How do I find someone in a Massachusetts state prison?
Use the Massachusetts VINELink portal or call VINELink at 866-277-7477. Confirm the person’s name or identifier and remember that this route does not necessarily cover a fresh county or police-station arrest.
How is bail handled after a Massachusetts arrest?
A bail magistrate may review release before arraignment, and a judge can address bail or other release conditions at arraignment. Confirm the exact amount, authorized payment route, receipt procedure, other holds and next court date with the police station or court.
Can a Massachusetts criminal record be sealed or expunged?
Some records may qualify for sealing or expungement, but the standards and waiting periods depend on the charge, disposition and history. Obtain the CORI and docket first, then use the official Massachusetts sealing or expungement guidance and forms.
Can I use this page for employment or tenant screening?
No. This page, mugshot websites, jail rosters and informal arrest searches are not consumer reports and should not be used for employment, housing, credit, insurance or another decision governed by consumer-reporting law.
Official-resource review completed August 3, 2026
Arrests-Org.us is an independent public-record navigation guide. It is not DCJIS, the Massachusetts Trial Court, Massachusetts DOC, a sheriff, police department, VINELink, CPCS, SORB or another government agency.
Arrest, custody, bail, court and criminal-record information can change. Verify identity and time-sensitive details with the responsible official source. An arrest does not prove guilt.
Responsible-use notice: do not use this page, arrest listings, mugshots or jail rosters for employment, housing, credit, insurance, licensing or another regulated consumer-reporting decision.