Search Massachusetts Recent Arrests
Massachusetts recent arrests can be found through a mix of state and local sources. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services runs the iCORI system, which is the main way to look up criminal records in the state. County sheriff offices keep jail booking logs. Local police departments post arrest logs and handle public records requests. You can also search court case data through MassCourts, the state trial court portal. Each of the 14 counties has its own sheriff and court system, so where you search depends on where the arrest took place. This page walks you through the key tools and steps to find recent arrests in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Recent Arrests Overview
Massachusetts Recent Arrests Through iCORI
The iCORI system is the main state portal for looking up criminal records in Massachusetts. It is run by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), based at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. The system holds Criminal Offender Record Information, or CORI, for the whole state. Data comes from the Office of the Commissioner of Probation. It covers arrests, convictions, and pending cases across all 14 counties. It does not include out-of-state or federal charges.
There are three ways to use iCORI. A personal CORI check costs $25 and lets you see your own record. Open Access is for the general public and costs $50 per search. Standard Access is for most groups that need to run checks. You need a valid Massachusetts driver's license or state ID to sign up. Once you register, you must read the terms and do a short CORI training before you can run a search. Results come back right away for online requests. Mail requests take up to 10 business days. You can reach DCJIS at (617) 660-4600 or email iCORI.INFO@state.ma.us.
The iCORI login portal is where all searches start. For most users, standard access shows misdemeanor convictions less than 5 years old, felony convictions less than 10 years old, murder or sex offense convictions regardless of date, and all pending cases.
If you can't pay the fee, you can ask for a waiver. Fill out an Affidavit of Indigency and send it with your request. Mail it to DCJIS at the Chelsea address. They process about 70 mailed requests a day.
Recent Arrests in Massachusetts Court Records
The Massachusetts Trial Court runs MassCourts, a free online case search tool. It covers all court types across the state. You can look up criminal cases by name, case number, or attorney. The system shows party names, docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. It gives you a good starting point for tracking recent arrests that have moved into the court system.
Keep in mind that MassCourts does not show every detail. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and impounded files do not appear. It also does not give you full arrest reports. For those, you need to go to the local police department or the county sheriff. But for a quick check on whether someone has an active case or a past conviction, this tool works well. It is free and open to anyone.
Note: MassCourts shows court cases, not raw arrest data. For booking info, check with the county sheriff or local police.
How to Find Recent Arrests in Massachusetts
There are several ways to search for recent arrests in Massachusetts. The best method depends on what you know and what you need. Each source gives you a different piece of the picture.
Local police departments are the first source for recent arrest data. Most departments keep daily arrest logs that are open to the public under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, the Massachusetts Public Records Law. You can visit a station during business hours and ask to see the log at no cost. Some departments post logs on their websites. The log shows the name, date, charges, and arresting officer for each arrest. Logs do not include details about victims, juveniles, or ongoing investigations.
County sheriff offices are the next place to check. Each of the 14 counties runs a jail and house of correction. When someone is booked into a county facility, the sheriff's office creates a record. Many sheriff offices have online inmate search tools on their websites. You can look up current inmates by name at no charge. For older booking records or more detailed info, you may need to file a written public records request. Agencies must respond within 10 business days under state law.
VINELink is another option. It is a free national system that tracks inmates in state prisons and some county jails. You can search by name or offender ID. It shows custody status and facility location. You can also sign up for free alerts when an inmate's status changes. In Massachusetts, VINELink covers the Department of Correction and Essex County. Most other county jails are not on VINELink, so call the sheriff directly for those. The phone number for VINELink is (866) 277-7477.
Massachusetts Arrest Records and Public Access
Arrest records in Massachusetts are generally public. The state's Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, says that anyone who holds a public record must let people see it at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay. You do not need to be the person who was arrested. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Most arrest logs, booking records, and court case files are open.
There are limits. Under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26), certain records are exempt from public access. These include records tied to ongoing investigations, sealed or expunged records, juvenile records, victim and witness identities, medical and psychological info, and certain domestic violence records. If a record has been sealed under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, it will not show up in a standard search. The 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act cut the waiting periods for sealing. Misdemeanors can now be sealed after 3 years. Felonies can be sealed after 7 years.
A big change came in 2023 with the Commonwealth v. J.F. decision. The Supreme Judicial Court ruled that not guilty findings must be sealed right away. Before that ruling, not guilty cases could still show up on CORI checks. Now they are sealed automatically.
Sealing and Expunging Massachusetts Arrest Records
Massachusetts lets people seal or expunge certain arrest records. Sealing hides a record from most public searches but does not destroy it. Law enforcement can still see sealed records. Expungement permanently destroys the record. The two processes have different rules and timelines.
For sealing under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, the waiting periods are 3 years for misdemeanor convictions and 7 years for felony convictions. Sex offense convictions require 15 years, and Level 2 or 3 sex offenders cannot seal those charges at all. Non-conviction records like dismissals or nolle prosequi cases can be sealed right away by filing a court petition under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100C. You can file the petition on your own using forms from the Massachusetts Probation Service. Free help is available through Greater Boston Legal Services at (617) 371-1234.
Expungement is harder to get. Under M.G.L. c. 276, §§ 100E-100U, it applies mainly to offenses committed under age 21, with a 3-year wait for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies. Non-time-based expungement covers records created by fraud, error, or for offenses that are no longer crimes. Marijuana offenses fall under § 100K 1/4. Governor Healey announced a one-time pardon for simple marijuana possession convictions before March 13, 2024.
Note: Certain firearms offenses under G.L. c. 140, crimes against public justice under G.L. c. 268, and Ethics Act violations under G.L. c. 268A can never be sealed.
Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry and Recent Arrests
The Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) tracks registered sex offenders across the state. It classifies offenders into three levels. Level 1 is low risk. Level 2 is moderate risk. Level 3 is high risk. The public can search Level 2 and Level 3 offenders online for free. Level 1 info requires an in-person request at a local police department. SORB is located at P.O. Box 392, North Billerica, MA 01862. Call (978) 740-6400 for questions, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The expungement portal on mass.gov walks you through eligibility and forms if you need to clear a record. For CORI questions and help with the sealing process, the CORI FAQ page covers the most common situations.
Browse Massachusetts Recent Arrests by County
Each county in Massachusetts has its own sheriff's office and court system that handles recent arrests. Pick a county below to find local booking info, inmate searches, and arrest record resources.
Recent Arrests in Major Massachusetts Cities
Major cities in Massachusetts have their own police departments that handle arrest logs and records requests. Pick a city below to find local arrest record resources.