Somerville Recent Arrests Lookup
Somerville recent arrests are processed by the Somerville Police Department, which covers one of the most densely populated cities in Massachusetts with about 81,000 residents in Middlesex County. The SPD operates a Records Bureau with specific hours and procedures for getting arrest reports and police records. Email is the recommended way to submit requests, and the bureau has 10 business days to respond under state law. Cases from Somerville go through the Somerville District Court for arraignment and the Middlesex County system for more serious charges.
Somerville Overview
Somerville Police Department Records
The Somerville Police Department is at 220 Washington St., Somerville, MA 02143. The non-emergency line is 617-625-1600. The department runs a Records Bureau that handles all arrest record requests, police report copies, and crash reports.
The Records Bureau has limited hours compared to most departments. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Closed on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. These hours can change without much notice, so the department recommends calling first at 617-625-1600, extension 7244, to confirm they are open that day. The fax number is 617-629-1780 and the email is records@police.somerville.ma.us.
Email is the preferred way to reach the Records Bureau. Sending a request by email to records@police.somerville.ma.us tends to be faster than going in person. Walking into the station does not mean you will get your report right away. The bureau has 10 business days to fill requests under state law, regardless of how you submit them.
| Department | Somerville Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 Washington St. Somerville, MA 02143 |
| Phone | 617-625-1600 |
| Records Bureau | 617-625-1600 Ext. 7244 |
| records@police.somerville.ma.us |
The bureau also handles police clearance letters and letters of good standing. You need a government-issued ID for those.
How to Search Somerville Arrest Records
Daily arrest logs at the Somerville Police Department are public records under M.G.L. c. 41, § 98F. You can view them during Records Bureau hours. The logs list names, addresses, and charges for adults arrested in Somerville. These are free to look at in person.
For copies of arrest reports or more detailed records, email records@police.somerville.ma.us with your request. Be specific about what you need. Include names, dates, and any case numbers you have. The department has 10 business days to respond under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10.
The Massachusetts Trial Court also maintains records for Somerville cases. The MassCourts website lets you search by name or case number for free. It covers Somerville District Court and Middlesex County Superior Court cases. Results show docket entries, party names, and case status.
The screenshot below shows the Massachusetts Trial Court system where you can search Somerville court records online.
This free state system covers all courts that handle cases from Somerville.
Somerville Courts and Arrest Cases
People arrested in Somerville go to Somerville District Court at 175 Fellsway, Somerville, MA 02145. The phone is (617) 666-8000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The court handles arraignments, criminal cases, and civil matters from Somerville.
More serious felony cases get moved to Middlesex County Superior Court at 200 Trade Center in Woburn. Call (781) 939-2700 for that court. Both courts keep records that are searchable through the state system. The Middlesex County Jail and House of Correction in Billerica at 269 Treble Cove Road holds people who cannot make bail. The Middlesex Sheriff's number is (978) 667-1900.
For inmate searches, VINELink is a free tool that works across the state. You can look up someone by name and find out where they are being held. The system also sends you alerts if their custody status changes, which is helpful when tracking Somerville arrest cases.
Note: Crash reports from Somerville are available separately through an online portal linked on the SPD website, or by contacting the Records Bureau directly.
Somerville Public Records Requests
Massachusetts law gives everyone the right to access public records, including arrest records from Somerville. The main law is M.G.L. c. 66, § 10. Records are assumed public unless a specific exemption covers them.
Exemptions include ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and reports protected by M.G.L. c. 41, § 97D involving domestic violence or sexual assault. The Somerville Records Bureau also cannot provide records that would expose police investigation methods or put witnesses at risk. If you think a request was wrongly denied, you can appeal to the Supervisor of Records at the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.
Crash reports have a strict deadline in Somerville. They must be filed within 5 days after a crash. If the driver is unable to do it, the vehicle owner has to file within the same time frame. Send completed crash reports to records@police.somerville.ma.us.
Somerville Arrest Record Resources
For a statewide criminal records check, use the iCORI system run by the DCJIS. It costs $25 per check. This gives you a broader look at someone's criminal history across Massachusetts, not just what happened in Somerville. The DCJIS is at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150.
The Massachusetts Bar Association lawyer referral service is at (617) 654-0400. First consultations cost $25 for half an hour. Free legal help is available through the Dial-A-Lawyer program on the first Wednesday of each month at (617) 338-0610. MassLegalHelp.org has guides on criminal records, court forms, and record sealing procedures.
To seal a record, go through the process laid out in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A. Dismissed cases and not guilty verdicts can be sealed right away under § 100C. The state record sealing portal has step-by-step instructions. Expungement is also possible in some cases under § 100E through § 100U.
Middlesex County Arrest Records
Somerville is in Middlesex County. The county jail in Billerica holds people arrested in Somerville and other Middlesex County cities. Middlesex is the most populous county in the state with a large volume of arrest cases flowing through its courts. For more on county-wide records, jail information, and legal resources, visit the Middlesex County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Somerville with arrest records pages: