Plymouth County Criminal Records

What Is Plymouth County Criminal Records

Plymouth County criminal records are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Plymouth County, Massachusetts. These records are maintained pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 167-178 and serve as the official documentation of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions.

Criminal records in Plymouth County typically include:

• Arrest records generated by law enforcement agencies
• Booking information and detention records from the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department
• Criminal complaints and charging documents
• Court dockets and case files from Plymouth District and Superior Courts
• Disposition information including verdicts, sentences, and probation terms
• Warrant information for active cases

The distinction between various types of criminal records is significant:

• Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody based on probable cause, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense.
• Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by state prison sentences exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in a county jail.
• Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Adult criminal records (18 and older) are generally accessible to the public, while juvenile records are sealed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 60A to protect minors.
• Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current enforcement actions, while historical records document past proceedings.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Plymouth County:

Plymouth County Sheriff's Department
24 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-6200
Plymouth County Sheriff's Department

Plymouth District Court
52 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-8400
Massachusetts Trial Court

Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
200 Arlington Street
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Massachusetts CJIS

The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services serves as the central repository for all criminal history record information in the Commonwealth, including Plymouth County records.

Are Criminal Records Public In Plymouth County

Criminal records in Plymouth County are generally considered public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, G.L. c. 4, § 7(26). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public with certain exceptions.

The Massachusetts Public Records Law states: "Every person having custody of any public record shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it, or any segregable portion of a record which is an independent public record, to be inspected and examined by any person."

However, not all criminal record information is publicly accessible. The following categories have restricted access:

• Ongoing investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under exemption (f) of the Public Records Law
• Sealed records: Criminal records that have been sealed by court order pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100A
• Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 18) are confidential under Massachusetts law
• CORI-protected information: Certain Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) is subject to access restrictions under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 172

The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system regulates who may access criminal history information and under what circumstances. While court proceedings and dockets are generally public, detailed CORI reports require proper authorization and are subject to varying levels of access depending on the requestor's status.

Members of the public seeking criminal record information in Plymouth County should be aware that while conviction data is generally accessible, access to non-conviction data (such as arrests not resulting in conviction) may be restricted to authorized entities only.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Plymouth County in 2026

Plymouth County residents and interested parties may access criminal records through several official channels. The appropriate method depends on the specific information sought and the requestor's relationship to the case.

For in-person requests at the Plymouth County courthouse:

1. Visit the Plymouth County Superior Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM).
2. Complete a record request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth.
3. Present valid government-issued photo identification.
4. Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $5 per name search plus $1 per page for copies).
5. Allow time for staff to retrieve the requested records.

Plymouth County Superior Court
52 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-8400
Massachusetts Trial Court

For official Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reports:

1. Register for an account on the Massachusetts iCORI system.
2. Select the appropriate access level based on your purpose (personal, employment, housing, etc.).
3. Submit the required identifying information for the subject.
4. Pay the required fee (currently $25 for standard CORI checks).
5. Receive results electronically, typically within 24-48 hours.

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Massachusetts iCORI

For Plymouth County Sheriff's Department records:

1. Submit a written request to the Records Division specifying the information sought.
2. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of interaction with the Sheriff's Department.
3. Provide a copy of your identification and contact information.
4. Allow 10-15 business days for processing.

Requests must comply with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10, which governs public records requests in the Commonwealth.

How To Find Criminal Records in Plymouth County Online?

Plymouth County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital portals provide convenient access to various components of the criminal justice system.

The Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case access system allows public searches of court cases:

1. Visit the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access portal.
2. Select "Plymouth County" from the court selection menu.
3. Search by name, case number, or attorney.
4. Review basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status.
5. Note that complete case files are not available online; documents must be requested in person.

The system contains records from Plymouth District Court, Plymouth Superior Court, and other courts within the county. Registration is not required for basic searches, but users should note that the system does not include juvenile cases or sealed records.

For inmate information, the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department maintains an online inmate lookup:

1. Access the Plymouth County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup tool.
2. Enter the inmate's name or identification number.
3. View current custody status, charges, and expected release dates for current inmates.

This database only includes currently incarcerated individuals and those recently released; it is not a comprehensive criminal history database.

The Massachusetts Probation Service provides limited online access to criminal record information:

1. Visit the Massachusetts Probation Service website.
2. Navigate to the records request section.
3. Complete the online form with required information.
4. Pay applicable fees electronically.
5. Receive results via secure electronic delivery.

For comprehensive criminal history information, the Massachusetts iCORI system remains the authoritative source:

1. Register at Massachusetts iCORI.
2. Complete identity verification steps.
3. Submit requests with appropriate purpose codes.
4. Pay required fees online.
5. Access results through the secure portal.

Users should be aware that online systems may not contain complete historical records, particularly for cases predating digital record-keeping. For comprehensive research, combining online searches with in-person requests may be necessary.

Can You Search Plymouth County Criminal Records for Free?

Plymouth County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without charge, though free access is typically limited to basic information or in-person inspection.

Massachusetts law, specifically Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10(a), establishes the right to inspect public records: "Every person having custody of any public record shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it... to be inspected and examined by any person." This provision allows for free in-person inspection at the following locations:

Plymouth County Superior Court
52 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Massachusetts Trial Court

Plymouth District Court
52 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 747-8400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Massachusetts Trial Court

While inspection is free, copying fees apply ($1 per page for most documents).

Free online resources include:

• Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access: Basic case information is available without charge at Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access. This includes case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status for public cases.

• Plymouth County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup: Current inmate information can be accessed without charge at Plymouth County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup.

• Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry: Information about registered sex offenders residing in Plymouth County is available free of charge through the Sex Offender Registry Board.

• Plymouth County District Attorney's Press Releases: Information about significant criminal cases is often published on the Plymouth County District Attorney's website.

It is important to note that while basic information may be available without charge, comprehensive criminal history reports through the Massachusetts iCORI system require payment of statutory fees. Additionally, certified copies of court documents always incur fees regardless of the request method.

What's Included in a Plymouth County Criminal Record?

Plymouth County criminal records contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:

Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and known aliases
• Date of birth and age
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Booking photographs ("mugshots")
• Last known address
• State Identification Number (SID)
• FBI number (if applicable)
• Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency and officer
• Booking number and facility
• Charges filed at arrest
• Bail or bond information
• Detention location and status

Court Case Information:

• Court docket/case number
• Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior)
• Case filing date
• Formal charges filed by prosecutor
• Massachusetts General Laws statutes cited
• Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
• Plea information
• Attorney of record
• Judge assigned to case

Disposition Information:

• Trial outcome or plea agreement
• Conviction date (if applicable)
• Sentencing details:
  • Incarceration terms and location
  • Probation conditions and duration
  • Fines and court costs
  • Restitution orders
  • Special conditions (treatment, no-contact orders)
• Appeal information
• Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

• Active warrant status
• Protective or restraining orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• DUI/OUI history
• Related civil cases
• Pending charges in other jurisdictions

The level of detail available varies based on the source of the record and the requestor's authorization level under the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. Court dockets typically contain basic case information, while complete CORI reports provide comprehensive criminal history data.

Records maintained by the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department focus primarily on arrest and detention information, while court records emphasize case proceedings and outcomes. For a complete criminal history, information from multiple agencies may need to be compiled.

How Long Does Plymouth County Keep Criminal Records?

Plymouth County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule and specific judicial branch policies. These retention periods vary by record type and case outcome.

Court records for criminal cases are generally retained as follows:

• Felony cases resulting in conviction: Permanently maintained in both physical and electronic formats
• Felony cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal: Maintained for 10 years from date of final disposition
• Misdemeanor cases resulting in conviction: Maintained for 20 years from date of final disposition
• Misdemeanor cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal: Maintained for 5 years from date of final disposition
• Probation records: Maintained for 10 years after completion of probation term
• Warrant information: Active warrants remain in system until served or recalled; recalled warrant information maintained for 10 years

The Plymouth County Sheriff's Department maintains records according to the following schedule:

• Booking and arrest records: Permanently maintained
• Inmate custody records: Permanently maintained
• Jail visitor logs: Maintained for 7 years
• Inmate medical records: Maintained for 30 years after release
• Inmate disciplinary records: Maintained for 7 years after release

These retention periods are established pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 8, which governs records management for state and local agencies.

It is important to note that while records may be maintained for these periods, access to older records may require additional processing time. Additionally, some records may be transferred to the Massachusetts State Archives after their active retention period expires.

Criminal records that have been sealed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100A or expunged pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100E-100U are removed from public access but may still be maintained for limited administrative purposes with highly restricted access.

Lookup Criminal Records in Plymouth County

About Plymouth County, MA