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  1. Plymouth County Court
  2. Plymouth County Arrest Records

Plymouth County, Massachusetts Arrest Records

Plymouth County Arrest Records are official documents that provide insight into arrests, bookings, and preliminary legal proceedings. These reports typically document the circumstances of an arrest, the identity of the alleged offender, the charges filed against the person, and other basic booking details. In Plymouth County, local law enforcement, such as city and town police departments, typically create arrest records, not the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.

Under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, anyone has the right to request all types of documentary materials created and stored by government agencies unless a specific exemption applies. However, Massachusetts also has a separate statutory scheme that governs access to criminal history information, known as Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6 Sections 167-178B, CORI provides restricted access to data and records compiled by a Massachusetts criminal justice agency on an individual.

In Plymouth County, arrest records are typically maintained by city or town police departments, not at the county level. Some leading police departments in Plymouth County include the Plympton Police Department and the Middleboro Police Department. 

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Plymouth, Massachusetts?

By the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Plymouth County arrest records are generally public unless an exemption applies under state or federal law. In other words, anyone has the right to inspect or make copies of government records, unless an exemption applies.

The key provisions governing the disclosure of law enforcement records are Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66 Section 10, and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4 Section 7 Clause 26. While Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66 Section 10 grants the public the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4 Section 7 Clause 26. defines what a “public record” is and lists certain exemptions that allow custodian agencies to withhold records.

Besides the provisions governing law enforcement disclosures under the public records law, Massachusetts uses a different system for disclosure of Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) under conditions more restrictive than standard police records.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

In Massachusetts, city and town police departments typically create arrest records, not the County Sheriff’s Office. A review of several Massachusetts police department websites suggests that the state does not require them to provide online inmate search tools. Massachusetts public records policy structure (shaped by CORI and other privacy exemptions) appears to favor controlled disclosures over open online jail rosters. However, in instances where a police department publishes arrest/booking-style entries, the list may contain details such as:

  • Booking number
  • Date and time of booking
  • The arrested person’s full name, age, and residential address
  • Details of the charges filed against the person, including charge type, charge description, and charge count.

Despite the openness of public records in Massachusetts, the law allows agencies to withhold or redact certain information (under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6 Sections 167-178B) to strike a balance between privacy concerns and law enforcement interests.

Some information that record keepers may withhold or redact under the public record law exemptions includes:

  • Social Security, bank account, and driver's license numbers      
  • Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
  • Records related to victims and their families, and domestic violence and response reports
  • Law enforcement investigatory records
  • Witnesses' and confidential informants’ records
  • Search warrants and affidavits
  • court order-sealed or expunged records

Plymouth County,  Massachusetts Arrest Search

The following section outlines the state law enforcement and federal resources for locating arrest information in Plymouth County:

State-Level Pathways

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI): The CORI system provides access to certain criminal history information compiled by a Massachusetts criminal justice agency on an individual. This database contains records linked to criminal proceedings, like arrests that result in arraignment, criminal charges, court dispositions (dismissals, convictions, etc.), and sentencing information. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6 Sections 167-178B, individuals may request their own CORI report, while employers (with the necessary authorization) and authorized agencies may access records for other people.

Massachusetts Trial Court Case Search: For arrests that resulted in criminal proceedings, users may use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access to look up case information. Visitors may search criminal cases by name to view charges, court dates, and case status.

Massachusetts State Police: Inquirers may submit public record requests to obtain arrest records for incidents that occurred within the state. It is worth noting that the release of such records is subject to exemptions.  

Federal-Level Pathways

Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER): If an arrest results in federal charges, the case typically appears in federal court records. Individuals may use the account- and subscription-based Public Access to Court Records (PACER)  to view docket entries, charges, and case outcomes.  This means that registrants may use PACER to find federal arrests and prosecutions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator: Those seeking arrest records for individuals incarcerated in federal facilities may use this search tool to find information on federal inmates held since 1982. The platform allows searches using criteria, such as name or BOP registry number. Searches typically yield information on inmates’ facility location, sentence details, and release date.

Plymouth County Inmate Locator

Individuals seeking inmate arrest records may submit a public records request to the county jail or the arresting police department. The address of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility is as follows:

Plymouth County Correctional Facility

26 Long Pond Road

Plymouth, MA 02360

Phone: (508) 830-6200

Requesters may be able to obtain details, such as confirmation of custody, booking status, and limited public information. They may, however, be expected to provide identifying information, including full name or date of birth (if known). 

Active Warrant Search in Plymouth County

An arrest warrant is a court order directing law enforcement to arrest a specific individual. In Plymouth County, justices of the superior or district courts may issue warrants after examining the complaint and the proofs submitted, and they are satisfied that there is probable cause to believe the named defendant committed the offense described in the complaint.

Under the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure, a Plymouth County arrest warrant often contains the following details:

  • Defendant's name (if unknown, any name or a description by which the defendant can be identified with reasonable certainty).
  • The charges in the complaint or indictment against the defendant.
  • A directive that the defendant must be arrested and brought before the court.
  • The signature of the official issuing the warrant.

Individuals looking for active warrants in Plymouth County may contact the town or city police department where the case started. They may also use the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access to search criminal cases for activity suggesting the issuance of a bench warrant. In addition, requesters may directly contact the district or superior court serving Plymouth County for details, including bench warrants and case status. 

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Plymouth County

Requesters seeking free arrest records in Plymouth County may use the resources outlined below:

Massachusetts Trial Court Case Search: Using a party name or case number, this platform allows information seekers to view criminal charges, court dates, and case status for free. Please note that this platform displays court cases, not full arrests or arrests that did not result in charges.

Local Police Department Websites: Requesters may access arrest logs, press releases, and daily activity reports from some larger police departments in Plymouth County, including Brockton, Middleborough, and Plymouth Police Departments.

Public Records Requests: Individuals may request arrest records directly from local police departments and other state law enforcement agencies. Requests are typically free if the record request is simple and requires minimal staff time. Nonetheless, agencies may charge fees for extensive searches, copies, or redactions. 

Plymouth County Arrest Report

Arrest Record

Arrest records are the summary-level entries created when an individual is taken into custody. This type of information is usually what the public sees in the county detention and booking system. It often contains information, such as who was booked, the booking date, basic personal identifiers, charges filed against the person, bond fields, and custody status.

In essence, an arrest record is a snapshot of who, when, where, and the charge, useful for verifying a booking and finding the relevant court case.

Arrest Report

On the other hand, arrest reports are narrative reports prepared by the arresting officer. This report usually describes the circumstances leading to the arrest, the officer’s observations, the witnesses' statements, the evidence collected, and the sequence of events during the incident. In Massachusetts, law enforcement agencies create this kind of narrative document as part of the investigative process and make up part of the broader law enforcement file.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Plymouth County

Plymouth County does not operate a separate expungement program. The county follows the same statewide sealing and expungement rules as other Massachusetts counties. In Massachusetts, sealing is more common and accessible than expungement.

The following section discusses record-sealing remedies available in Plymouth County for conviction and non-conviction-related arrest records.

Sealing Conviction Records

Applicants may petition the Massachusetts Probation Services (MPS) to seal certain criminal convictions under MGL c. 276, § 100A. They may qualify for the sealing of their criminal conviction under the following conditions:

  • Misdemeanor - Three years have passed since they were found guilty or since any jail or prison time ended, whichever is later.
  • Felony - Seven years have passed since they were found guilty or since any jail or prison time ended, whichever is later.

Petitioners may also request record sealing sooner in special circumstances, such as when the offense is no longer a crime (Section 100A). The statute, however, excludes certain offenses, like most firearms offenses, certain public-corruption offenses, and sex crimes for long periods or completely.

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

The most important step is to address the official record itself. Once a record is sealed or expunged, its availability online is significantly limited. In Massachusetts, the relevant statutes include Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100A and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276 Section 100C, which govern record sealing. This is the most common option available to individuals; it ensures that the record is removed from public access. Consequently, it no longer appears in public-facing databases or court search platforms. In contrast, expungement, governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276 Section 100E, permanently destroys or erases the record. This ensures it no longer exists in government systems or is available online.