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  1. Bristol County Court
  2. Bristol County Arrest Records

Bristol County, Massachusetts Arrest Records

In Bristol County, Massachusetts, an arrest record is an official documentation of arrest-related events within the county. Such records are generated when a suspected offender is detained and booked by a county law enforcement agency. It typically includes the arrestee’s personal information, criminal charges, arrest date and time, and the arresting agency.

Bristol County arrest records are publicly accessible for these reasons:

  • To ensure transparency and fairness in the criminal justice system.
  • To notify the public and local community of potentially dangerous persons.
  • To provide materials for court cases regarding an offender.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law governs public access to records generated by government entities. In addition, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, §§ 167-178B, specifically governs public access to criminal history records, which include information on arrest events. This law restricts record access to only legally eligible parties, like the record subject.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Bristol, Massachusetts?

Yes, most arrest records in Bristol County are public. The Massachusetts Public Records Law allows the public to view or obtain copies of arrest records from designated record custodians. These custodians are required to provide resources or options for the public to access arrest information. For example, the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office allows in-person requests for arrest records in its custody.

Nevertheless, record custodians may refuse access to records whose disclosure may violate an individual’s right to safety and privacy. Non-public arrest information in Bristol County may include the following:

  • Sealed or expunged arrest records
  • Juvenile arrest information
  • Information about ongoing criminal investigations.
  • Statements from crime victims and witnesses
  • Personal information about the arresting officer.

Bristol County Arrest Search

Members of the public typically search arrest records in Bristol County by using resources provided by state- or federal-level agencies. At the state level, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections maintains an inmate search platform for offenders held in state-level prisons and jails. The inmate database may reveal arrest information like the inmate’s name and personal details, arrest charges, and bond amount.

The Massachusetts court system is another state-level custodian of arrest information. The website hosts an online search portal for arrest information listed in court case records. Inquirers may view records on the platform by filling out the case party name, type, number, and ticket number.

Alternatively, the Federal Bureau of Prisons hosts an inmate locator for inmates serving time in federal prisons. The database may also include arrest information of current inmates. Interested parties may access information by filling out the inmate’s name or prison identification number.

Interested parties may also search Bristol County arrest records in criminal history databases. The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services allows name-based inquiries for criminal history records. Record seekers are required to fill in the offender’s name and birthdate.

Bristol County Inmate Locator

The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office does not have an online searchable database for inmates held in the county jail. Thus, record seekers must direct their requests to the Public Information Access Officer in the sheriff’s office at this address:

400 Faunce Corner Road

North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Phone: (508) 995-2406.

The sheriff’s office also accepts requests sent by email to publicrecords@bcso-ma.org. Inquirers must provide relevant information to obtain records from the sheriff’s office. Note that the sheriff may request search and copy fees before producing copies of requested information.

Active Warrant Search in Bristol County

In Bristol County, arrest warrants are court orders that authorize arresting agencies to arrest suspected offenders. The Court judge or magistrate issues warrants after receiving an affidavit or complaint from an arresting officer. The complaint must show probable cause or sufficient evidence that the offender broke the law.

An arrest warrant in Bristol County must provide the following information:

  • The arrestee’s full name, known aliases, and other identifying details like body markings, age, and ethnicity.
  • Warrant issuance date and time.
  • Crime description
  • The offender must be arrested, booked, and brought before the court.
  • The name and signature of the court official who issued the warrant.

The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office does not have an online database of arrest warrants issued in the county. Thus, inquirers may obtain arrest warrant information by contacting the sheriff’s office at this address:

400 Faunce Corner Road

North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Phone: (508) 995-6400

Arrest warrants are court documents and, as such, are accessible through resources maintained by the court. For example, you may view arrest warrants in the Massachusetts Trial Court Access System. You only need to input the offender’s name and county name to view inactive and active warrants on the platform.

To view arrest warrants in Bristol County, you may first determine the court that issued the warrant. Next, make an inquiry in person at the court during official hours. Case in point, you may inquire about warrants issued in the Bristol County Superior Court at this address:

9 Court Street

Taunton, MA 02780

Phone: (508) 823-6588.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Bristol

Almost anyone may conduct free searches for Bristol County arrest records by using official databases maintained by government entities. The Massachusetts Department of Corrections, for instance, allows free online searches for arrest information in inmate records. Inquirers must provide the required information to view records on the platform.

The Massachusetts Trial Court Access System is also another online resource for searching arrest records for free. The platform may include arrest details like the case party names and personal information, arrest charges, bond amount, and the name of the arresting agency. To search records on the platform, the inquirer must input the case party name, number, or type.

Note: Free online searchable platforms may not reveal older arrest records and sensitive information. Such information is only accessible via offline requests to the record custodian. Offline requests may incur specific charges and fees. For example, a record custodian may charge fees for searching and producing copies of arrest records.

Bristol County Arrest Report

In Bristol County, arrest reports provide comprehensive information on arrest events and related circumstances. It may reveal the officer’s perspective about the arrest event and include the following details:

  • The basis for the arrest.
  • Statements from witnesses and crime victims
  • Evidence collected at the crime scene, which may also include dash cam recordings and other footage.

With that being said, you will mostly find arrest reports in the custody of the arresting agency. Such documents are often used for reference in court case proceedings and traffic-related hearings.

In contrast, arrest records are summaries of pre- and post-arrest events. Such records may reveal the arrestee’s personal details, mugshot, arrest date and location, initial charges, and bond information. You may find arrest information in the custody of both county- and state-level criminal justice agencies.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Bristol County

You may expunge arrest records in Bristol County by following these general steps:

  1. Check if you meet the requirements for expunging an arrest record. You may contact the clerk of the district court or the superior court that handled the case. However, you may contact the Massachusetts Probation Service if the charges lead to court convictions.
  2. Fill out the appropriate application form: Use the Petition to Seal Conviction form if the arrest led to a court conviction. However, fill out the Petition to Seal Criminal Records For Nolle Prosequi if the charges were dropped or dismissed.
  3. Attach a certified copy of the court docket for the offense. You may obtain the docket from the clerk of the court where the case started.
  4. File the forms with the clerk of the court where the case was heard. The court’s locations are listed below:

Fall River District Court

186 South Main Street

Fall River, MA 02720.

Phone: (508) 491-3200.

New Bedford District Court

75 North Sixth Street

New Bedford, MA 02740.

Phone: (508) 999-9700.

Taunton District Court

40 Broadway

Taunton, MA 02780.

Attleboro District & Juvenile Court

88 North Main Street

Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: (508) 222-5900

Fall River Superior Court

186 South Main Street

Fall River, MA 02721

Phone: (508) 491-2800.

Upon receiving your request, the court may schedule a hearing to determine whether to grant or deny the request. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order for expungement.

How Do You Remove Bristol County Arrest Records From the Internet?

To remove Bristol County arrest records, you must first obtain a court order for expungement. The court clerk may send copies of these orders to all government entities holding copies of the arrest information.

In addition to this, you may contact private websites to remove your records from their database. Some of these websites have their contact information on their "About Us" or "Contact Us" page. Alternatively, you may use data removal services to remove your information from data brokers.

What Do Public Bristol County Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Bristol County may include the following information:

  • The arrestee’s full name, known aliases, and personal-identifying data.
  • Arrest charges.
  • Mugshot
  • Arrest date and time.
  • Booking date.
  • Name of the arresting agency.

Publicly accessible arrest records may not contain sensitive information. For example, juvenile arrest data and crime victims’ personal information are not available to the public. Only legally eligible parties, like the record subject and their legal representatives, can obtain such records.