Dukes County Arrest Records

Recent arrests in Dukes County are handled by six local police departments across Martha's Vineyard and the Dukes County Sheriff's Office in Edgartown. This is one of the smallest counties in Massachusetts by population, but it has its own jail and court system. Dukes County arrest records are public under state law. You can search them through the sheriff's office, the island's police departments, or the statewide CORI system. The county jail has a maximum capacity of just 40 inmates, so the operation here is very different from larger mainland counties.

Dukes County Sheriff's Office

The Dukes County Sheriff's Office is at 149 Main Street in Edgartown. Call (508) 627-5173 to reach them. The office has roots going back to the 1600s when Dukes County was incorporated in 1683. Today it runs under a mission of integrity, professionalism, and respect. The sheriff's office oversees the county jail, a regionalized E911 communications center, the civil process department, community outreach programs, and inmate transportation.

The Dukes County Sheriff's Office website has information about the jail, inmate inquiry tools, and how to make records requests. You can search for current inmates by visiting the site and going to the inmate inquiry section. Enter a first name, last name, or other search criteria. The results show custody status, charges, and basic booking data. The search is free.

The image above shows the official Dukes County Sheriff's Office website where you can begin searching for arrest and inmate information on Martha's Vineyard.

Dukes County Jail on Martha's Vineyard

The Dukes County Jail and House of Correction holds a maximum of 40 male detainees. It houses people awaiting trial and those serving sentences up to 2.5 years. The average daily population in recent years has been around 15 inmates. Because of the small size, the facility works quite differently from mainland county jails.

The jail information page on the sheriff's site describes the programs available to inmates. The education division offers HiSet exam proctoring, Edovo tablets for online courses, parenting skills classes, and a reading club. There is an inmate labor program called the "Road Crew" that works with the State Department of Public Works. Medical services include on-site physicals, acute care, sick calls, dental, eye care, and mental health treatment. The facility has a zero tolerance policy under the Prison Rape Elimination Act with ongoing staff training.

The screenshot above shows details about the Dukes County Jail facility and what happens after a recent arrest on Martha's Vineyard.

How to Find Dukes County Arrests

Start with the sheriff's website at dukescountysheriff.com. The inmate inquiry tool shows who is currently in custody. Give a name and check the results for charges and status. For the actual arrest report, contact the police department that made the arrest. Six departments cover Martha's Vineyard: Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, Edgartown, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah.

Court records for Dukes County arrests can be searched through the MassCourts portal. This is free. The Edgartown District Court handles misdemeanors and civil cases. The Dukes County Superior Court takes serious felonies. The Edgartown Juvenile Court is at 12 Mariner's Way and can be reached at (508) 627-8983. All of these courts are part of the Massachusetts Trial Court system.

The iCORI system run by the DCJIS provides statewide background checks. A personal CORI costs $25. Open access is $50. You need a Massachusetts ID to register. Results come back immediately for online requests.

Note: Daily police logs at each Martha's Vineyard police department are free to inspect under Massachusetts public records law.

Dukes County Arrest Records Details

An arrest record in Dukes County contains personal details like name, physical description, photos, and fingerprints. It also includes what the person had on them when they were arrested, the alleged crime, booking information, and release details. All of this is public under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, with some exceptions.

Juvenile records, sealed records, and information from ongoing investigations are not available. Victim information is also protected. To request copies, submit a written request to the sheriff's office at 149 Main Street in Edgartown with the subject's name, date of birth, arrest date, and location. The office has 10 business days to respond.

Crime statistics for Dukes County in 2023 showed a crime rate of 13.8 per 1,000 residents. There were 65 aggravated assaults, 12 sexual assaults, and 206 property crimes. The property crime rate was 9.8 per 1,000 people. These are small numbers compared to mainland counties, reflecting the island's lower population.

Sealing Dukes County Arrest Records

Arrest records from Dukes County are permanent unless you take steps to seal or expunge them. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, misdemeanors can be sealed 3 years after conviction. Felonies take 7 years. Cases that ended in dismissal or a not guilty verdict can be sealed right away under § 100C. Since the 2023 Commonwealth v. J.F. decision, not guilty findings are automatically sealed.

Expungement destroys the record entirely. To qualify under M.G.L. c. 276, §§ 100E-100U, you generally need to show the offense happened before age 21, did not cause serious harm, did not involve a weapon, and was not a sexual offense. You file the petition with the clerk of the court where the case was heard. Check the state sealing portal to see if you qualify. The Massachusetts Probation Service at (617) 557-0225 can answer questions.

Arrest Warrants in Dukes County

Judges or magistrates issue arrest warrants based on probable cause. A Dukes County warrant includes the suspect's name, physical description, the allegations, and the court that issued it. Warrants do not expire. They stay active until the person is arrested, shows up in court, or the judge cancels the warrant.

A warrant can be quashed if the judge decides it serves the interest of justice. If you think there may be a warrant out for you in Dukes County, contact a lawyer or the Edgartown District Court. Turning yourself in is generally better than waiting to be picked up on a warrant during a traffic stop or other encounter with police.

Towns in Dukes County

Dukes County has no cities large enough for a dedicated page. The six towns on Martha's Vineyard are Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah. Each town has its own police department that handles local arrests. The town of Gosnold, which covers the Elizabeth Islands, is also in Dukes County but has very few residents.

Arrest activity tends to spike during summer months when the island's population jumps from around 20,000 year-round residents to over 100,000 seasonal visitors.

Nearby Counties

Dukes County is an island county connected to the mainland by ferry. These nearby counties coordinate on detention and court matters.