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Plymouth County, Massachusetts Court Records

Plymouth County court records are official documents from legal trials held in the various courts in Plymouth County, MA. These records serve as the authoritative account of legal proceedings, capturing filings, motions, hearings, judgments, and other actions taken by these courts in both civil and criminal cases. The primary purpose of Plymouth County court records is to ensure transparency, preserve the integrity of the judicial process, and provide the public with access to information about the administration of justice within the county.

The Massachusetts Trial Court maintains Plymouth County court records through its District and Superior Court Clerk’s Offices, in compliance with the state public records law, court rules, and administrative policies. Plymouth County court records are related to, but distinct from, the county’s other public records. For instance, the county’s vital records, such as marriage, birth, and death certificates, may play crucial roles in family law or probate cases. Furthermore, local law enforcement records may become part of the county’s criminal court records or federal case files.

Are Plymouth County Court Records Public?

Yes, Plymouth County court records are presumptively public. According to the Massachusetts Trial Court Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records, the public has a right to inspect and copy most court documents unless a specific legal exception applies. Under these rules, most adult civil and criminal case records are publicly accessible unless there is restricting legislation or a judicial order. However, certain case types and documents are restricted or confidential by law. These commonly include:

  • Juvenile court records
  • Adoption records
  • Probate and Family Court filings involving minors
  • Guardianship or conservatorship records with medical or financial details
  • Sealed or expunged records
  • Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) beyond what courts are allowed to release.

What Information is Available in Plymouth County Court Records?

Plymouth County court records contain details of civil and criminal trials within the county. However, not all case information is publicly disclosable. A typical publicly accessible Plymouth County court record may contain the following information:

  • Case number and court location
  • Names of the parties involved
  • Case type and division
  • Filing date and current case status
  • Docket entries
  • Filed documents, such as complaints, petitions, motions, and responses
  • Hearing and trial dates, when publicly scheduled
  • Court orders and judgments
  • Attorney information for parties represented by counsel.

Plymouth County Court Records Search

The Massachusetts Trial Court provides several methods for the public to obtain Plymouth County court records, including online portals, in-person visits, and written requests. Plymouth County court records are accessible online through Massachusetts court portals, in person at the clerk’s office using public terminals, or by submitting mail/phone requests with proper documentation and payment. The specific access procedures may vary by court department, case type, and the amount of time that has passed since the filing.

Online access

Plymouth County court records are accessible online through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal (MassCourts). Users can use names and case numbers to look up case information from the various Plymouth County courts. While the MassCourts is a quick and convenient option to access Plymouth County court records, it does not provide access to full cases. An online search for Plymouth County court records through the MassCourts portal may return basic information, such as:

  • Case number and court location
  • Names of parties
  • Case type and filing date
  • Case status (open, closed, continued)
  • Docket entries summarizing filings and court actions
  • Scheduled court events (when public)

In-person access

Individuals requesting access to comprehensive case details or certified copies of Plymouth County court records should visit the Plymouth County Central Courthouse Complex at:

52 Obery Street,

Plymouth,

MA 02360.

This facility houses multiple court departments, including the Plymouth County Superior, District, Juvenile, and Probate & Family Courts. Interested parties can also request probate court records in person through the clerk’s office of the Plymouth County Superior Court - Brockton at:

72 Belmont Street,

Brockton,

MA 02301.

Record seekers can also use Public Access Terminals at the Plymouth County Central Courthouse Complex to search for case details.

Mail and phone requests

Massachusetts Trial Courts also allow mail and phone requests for Plymouth County court records. Interested parties should call or mail the appropriate court clerk’s office for access to Plymouth County’s case files. Mail requests for court records should include self-addressed envelopes in addition to checks or money orders to cover the costs of making and delivering copies of the requested documents. Additionally, payments should be made to the clerk of the court in possession of the specific records.

Fees for Court Records in Plymouth County

The Massachusetts Trial Court charges a uniform statewide fee for copies of court records, including Plymouth County court records. The following fees apply to copies of court records through the various Plymouth County clerk of courts:

  • Unattested (plain) copy - $0.05 per page
  • Attested/certified copy - $2.50 per page
  • Certificate of orders, decrees, judgments, rulings, or other proceedings - $20.00 per document regardless of length
  • Electronic document (PDF) copy - $5.00 per PDF plus $4 if mailed on a CD
  • Certified copies of Probate & Family Court records (for instance, divorce certificates or guardianship orders) - $20.00 per copy
  • Transcripts and audio - $50.00 or more, plus postage costs.

The Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics handles Plymouth County vital records, and typically charges the following fees:

  • Online or by phone - $54.00 for the first copy, and $42.00 per additional copy
  • By mail - $32.00 per copy
  • In-person - $20.00 per copy.

Plymouth County Courthouse Locations

Plymouth County’s judicial system comprises several courts with varying jurisdictions over various types of cases. The list outlines the various courts in Plymouth County and the types of cases they handle.

Superior Courts

Plymouth County Superior Court

52 Obery Street

Plymouth,

MA 02360

Phone: (508) 747-8400

Case Types:

  • Major civil cases
  • Felony criminal cases
  • Jury trials and broader jurisdictional matters that are not handled in the District Court

Plymouth County Superior Court - Brockton

72 Belmont Street,

Brockton,

MA 02301

Phone: (508) 583-8250

Case Types:

  • Superior Court felony and major civil dockets
  • Some criminal sessions and grand jury proceedings

District Courts

Plymouth District Court

52 Obery Street

Plymouth,

MA 02360

Phone: (508) 747-8400

Case Types:

  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Traffic offenses
  • Small claims and civil matters under District Court jurisdiction
  • Harassment prevention and abuse prevention matters
  • Initial arraignments and pretrial matters

District Court - Brockton Session

215 Main Street

Brockton,

MA 02301

Phone: (508) 587-8000

Case Types:

  • District Court civil, criminal, and traffic cases for portions of Plymouth County

District Court - Wareham Session

2200 Cranberry Highway

West Wareham,

MA 02576

Phone: (508) 295-5200

Case Types:

  • Civil, criminal, and traffic cases

Hingham District Court

28 George Washington Boulevard,

Hingham,

MA 02043

Phone: (781) 749-7000

Fax: (781) 740-8390

Case types:

  • Criminal complaints and arraignments
  • Misdemeanor criminal cases
  • Pre-trial hearings, motions, bail decisions, and probable-cause sessions
  • Traffic and motor vehicle offense cases
  • Probation matters and violation hearings
  • Civil and Small Claims Matters

Plymouth Probate and Family Court

52 Obery Street

Plymouth,

MA 02360

Phone: (508) 747-6204

Case Types:

  • Divorce & dissolution cases
  • Child custody and support matters
  • Probate of wills and estate administrations
  • Guardianships, conservatorships, name changes

Plymouth County Probate and Family Court - Brockton

215 Main Street, Suite 220,

Brockton,

MA 02301

Phone: (508) 897-5400

Fax: (508) 584-4142

Case types

  • Divorce and dissolution of marriage
  • Child custody and parenting time
  • Abuse prevention and restraining orders
  • Adoption cases
  • Probate of Wills
  • Estate administrations
  • Guardianships and conservatorships

Juvenile Courts

Plymouth Juvenile Court

52 Obery Street

Plymouth,

MA 02360

Phone: (508) 747-8400

Hingham Juvenile Court

28 George Washington Boulevard,

Hingham,

MA 02043

Phone: (781) 741-6007

Brockton Juvenile Court

215 Main Street,

Brockton,

MA 02303

Phone: (508) 987-4900

Wareham Juvenile Court

2200 Cranberry Highway,

West Wareham,

MA 02576

Phone: (508) 291-8407

Case jurisdiction for Plymouth County’s Juvenile Courts

  • Juvenile delinquency and youth offenses
  • Care & protection cases involving minors
  • Proceedings involving juveniles under Massachusetts law (with confidentiality rules)

Housing Courts

Southeast Housing Court - Brockton Session

215 Main Street, Suite 160,

Brockton,

MA 02303

Phone: (508) 894-4170

Fax: (508) 894-4168

Southeast Housing Court - Plymouth Session

52 Obery Street,

Plymouth,

MA 02360

Phone: (508) 747-8550

Fax: (508) 747-2017

Case types for Plymouth County’s Housing Courts:

  • Eviction cases
  • Small claims involving housing
  • Civil actions involving residential housing
  • Code enforcement and regulatory actions
  • Equitable relief matters
  • Certain criminal and ordinance violations.

Criminal Records Access in Plymouth County

Plymouth County clerk of courts’ offices do not handle official criminal background checks. In Massachusetts, official statewide criminal history reports are provided by the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) through the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. These reports outline full records of individuals’ interactions with local and state criminal justice systems. Typically, criminal background checks detail adult criminal cases reported to the state and may include non-conviction information, depending on the access level. A criminal history check through CORI will display:

  • Core Identifying Information, such as:
    • Full name and known aliases
    • Date of birth
    • Gender
    • A unique state identification number
  • Criminal Case Information, including:
    • Court name and location
    • Docket or case number
    • Date of arrest or court filing
    • Criminal charges filed (by statute and description)
    • Case status and disposition
    • Sentence or penalty imposed, if applicable
  • Sentencing Details (if applicable):
    • Type of sentence imposed
    • Length of incarceration or probation
    • Fines, fees, or restitution ordered.

Unlike statewide criminal history reports, local case records are accessible through clerk of court offices. Individuals interested in Plymouth County criminal court records can access these documents online through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal or request them from the clerk’s offices of Plymouth County’s Superior or District Courts.

Plymouth County Probate Records

Plymouth County probate records are official case files generated by the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. These records include, but are not limited to, documents on:

  • Will probates
  • Trust matters
  • Estate administrations
  • Guardianships
  • Conservatorships.

Typically, a probate filing may include a petition to probate a will, appointment of a personal representative, inventories of estate assets, final accountings, or court orders appointing a guardian or conservator.

Plymouth County’s probate records are public. However, while recent estate records, wills, and probate filings may be accessible online through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal, older case files may require in-person visits to the clerk’s office of the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. Furthermore, record seekers should note that some guardianships, conservatorships, or cases involving minors may be confidential or restricted by law, limiting public access to specific details or documents.

County

Court Name

Address

Phone Number

Office Hours

Plymouth County

Plymouth Probate and Family Court

52 Obery Street,

Plymouth,

MA 02360

Brockton Location

215 Main Street, Suite 220,

Brockton,

MA 02301

(508) 747-6204, (508) 897-5400

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays (excluding official holidays).

Plymouth County Family Court Records

Plymouth County family court records are official documents on family matter-related trials within the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. These records reflect filings, court orders, judgments, and other actions taken by the court during trials involving cases such as:

  • divorce and legal separation
  • Child custody and parenting time
  • Child and spousal support
  • Paternity
  • Adoption proceedings.

Many Plymouth County family court records are public, while some documents are confidential by law due to the sensitive nature of family-related matters. For instance, individuals can access basic information about divorce cases in Plymouth County. In contrast, there is restricted access to adoption records, certain custody matters, and cases involving minors.

Basic case information for eligible Plymouth County family court records may be accessible through the Massachusetts Trial Court online portal, where users can search by party name or docket number and review docket summaries. For access to full case files on Plymouth County family law cases trials, eligible individuals are required to visit the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court Clerk’s Office with valid government-issued photo identification documents.

Federal Court Records in Plymouth County

The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts handles all federal cases originating from Massachusetts State (including Plymouth County. These cases are governed by federal law, including:

  • Federal criminal prosecutions
  • Civil rights claims
  • Bankruptcy-related proceedings (through the Bankruptcy Court)
  • Immigration-related matters
  • Lawsuits involving federal agencies or interstate disputes.

U.S. federal courts create and maintain court records through the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Courts. For in-person access to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts case records, interested parties should contact the U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office in Boston at:

John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse

1 Courthouse Way, Suite 2300

Boston,

MA 02210

Phone: (617) 748-9152

District Court records are accessible online through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). The PACER system permits access to basic case details, users can search federal dockets, view filings, and download court documents for a small per-page fee.

Plymouth County Court