Bristol County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Bristol County
Arrest records in Bristol County, Massachusetts are generally considered public information under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66, § 10. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.
The Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement agencies in Bristol County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document instances when individuals are taken into custody by law enforcement officers on suspicion of criminal activity. It is important to note the distinction between arrest records and conviction records:
- Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. An arrest alone does not constitute proof of guilt.
- Conviction records document that an individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through the judicial process.
Under Massachusetts law, certain exemptions may apply to arrest records, particularly when disclosure would:
- Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings
- Reveal the identity of confidential sources
- Endanger the life or physical safety of any individual
The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) law further governs access to criminal history information, including arrests. While the general public may access certain CORI information, access to complete criminal history records may be restricted based on the requestor's identity and purpose.
What's in Bristol County Arrest Records
Bristol County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records generally include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
- Home address
- Photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprints
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Circumstances leading to arrest
- Whether force was used during arrest
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Description of alleged criminal activity
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date issued
- Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Booking Information:
- Booking number
- Date and time of booking
- Booking facility
- Processing officer information
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Whether bail was posted
- Conditions of release (if applicable)
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Scheduled court appearance dates
- Case/docket number
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility where detained (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Probation/parole status
- Vehicle information (if relevant to arrest)
- Property seized during arrest
- Medical information relevant to custody
The specific content of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency's policies and the circumstances of the arrest. Access to certain elements of these records may be restricted based on privacy laws and ongoing investigation considerations.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Bristol County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Bristol County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following procedures outline the current process for accessing arrest records:
In-Person Requests:
Individuals may submit requests in person at the appropriate law enforcement agency where the arrest occurred. For arrests made by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office:
Bristol County Sheriff's Office
400 Faunce Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
(508) 995-6400
Bristol County Sheriff's Office
For municipal arrests, contact the specific police department where the arrest occurred. Major departments include:
New Bedford Police Department
871 Rockdale Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 991-6300
New Bedford Police Department
Taunton Police Department
23 Summer Street
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 824-7522
Taunton Police Department
Fall River Police Department
685 Pleasant Street
Fall River, MA 02721
(508) 676-8511
Fall River Police Department
When making in-person requests, requestors should:
- Complete a public records request form
- Provide specific information about the arrest (name, date, location)
- Present valid identification
- Be prepared to pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying
Written Requests:
Written requests may be submitted via mail or email to the Records Division of the appropriate law enforcement agency. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), agencies must respond to requests within 10 business days.
Written requests should include:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific information about the arrest record sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
- Date range for the search
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Requests:
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may submit CORI requests through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services:
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
CORI requests require:
- Completion of the appropriate CORI request form
- Payment of required fees
- Verification of identity
- Notarization for certain types of requests
How To Find Bristol County Arrest Records Online
Bristol County residents and other interested parties may access certain arrest record information through various online platforms. The following digital resources are currently available:
Official Government Websites:
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security maintains the iCORI system, which allows registered users to request criminal record information online. Registration requires:
- Creation of an account
- Identity verification
- Payment of applicable fees
- Acceptance of terms and conditions
Individual law enforcement agencies in Bristol County may maintain their own online portals:
- The Bristol County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search provides information on currently incarcerated individuals
- The Fall River Police Department offers online access to recent arrest logs
- The New Bedford Police Department publishes selected arrest information online
Court Records:
The Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access system allows users to search for criminal cases by name, which may include information about arrests that led to court proceedings. Users should note that:
- Not all cases are available online
- Some information may be redacted
- Historical records may not be digitized
- Registration may be required for certain searches
Third-Party Aggregators:
While commercial websites may offer arrest record searches, the information provided by these services may be:
- Incomplete or outdated
- Not verified by official sources
- Subject to errors or inaccuracies
- Potentially in violation of CORI regulations
For the most accurate and complete information, requestors are advised to utilize official government sources rather than third-party aggregators.
How To Search Bristol County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing Bristol County arrest records without incurring fees. The following methods are currently available for free searches:
Police Department Daily Logs:
Under M.G.L. c. 41, § 98F, all police departments in Massachusetts must maintain daily logs of arrests, which are public records. These logs can be inspected at no cost at local police stations:
- Visit the records division during regular business hours
- Request to view the public police log
- Specific entries can be reviewed without charge
- Copying fees may apply if printed copies are requested
Online Inmate Locator:
The Bristol County Sheriff's Office maintains a free online inmate locator that provides information about individuals currently in custody:
- Visit the Bristol County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the inmate search function
- Enter the individual's name
- Review custody status and basic case information
Court Docket Information:
The Massachusetts Trial Court provides public access terminals at courthouse locations throughout Bristol County where case information can be searched at no cost:
Bristol County Superior Court
441 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 996-2051
Bristol County Superior Court
Fall River District Court
186 South Main Street
Fall River, MA 02721
(508) 491-3200
Fall River District Court
New Bedford District Court
75 North 6th Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
(508) 999-9700
New Bedford District Court
Taunton District Court
40 Broadway
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 977-3000
Taunton District Court
Public Records Requests:
Under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, initial requests for public records are free of charge. Fees may only be assessed for:
- Copying costs
- Storage media (CDs, USB drives)
- Staff time for extensive searches (after the first 2 hours)
- Specialized document reproduction
How To Delete Arrest Records in Bristol County
Individuals seeking to limit public access to arrest records in Bristol County have several legal remedies available under Massachusetts law. These processes fall into two distinct categories:
Record Sealing:
Record sealing restricts public access to criminal records but does not completely destroy them. Law enforcement and certain government agencies may still access sealed records. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, individuals may petition to seal records if:
- For misdemeanors: at least 3 years have passed since the disposition, including any period of incarceration or custody
- For felonies: at least 7 years have passed since the disposition, including any period of incarceration or custody
- There have been no new criminal convictions during the waiting period
The sealing process requires:
- Obtaining a petition form from the Office of the Commissioner of Probation
- Completing the petition with accurate case information
- Filing the petition with the Commissioner of Probation
- Waiting for administrative review and decision
Record Expungement:
Expungement is a more complete form of record removal that permanently destroys records. Massachusetts enacted expanded expungement provisions under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100K-100M, which allows for expungement in limited circumstances:
- The offense occurred before the individual turned 21
- The offense is no longer a crime (e.g., marijuana possession under certain amounts)
- The record was created due to false identification or fraud by another
- The offense resulted from being a victim of human trafficking
The expungement process involves:
- Filing a petition with the Commissioner of Probation
- Providing supporting documentation
- Attending a hearing if required
- Receiving a decision from the Commissioner or the court
Non-Conviction Records:
For arrests that did not result in convictions, individuals may have enhanced ability to seal records under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100C. This applies to cases that were:
- Dismissed
- Found not guilty
- Nolle prosequi (not prosecuted)
- No probable cause found
These records may be sealed immediately upon disposition without a waiting period.
What Happens After Arrest in Bristol County?
Following an arrest in Bristol County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Massachusetts law. This process typically proceeds through the following stages:
Booking Procedure:
After physical arrest, the individual is transported to a police station or detention facility where they undergo booking, which includes:
- Recording personal information
- Photographing and fingerprinting
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Temporary detention in a holding cell
Bail Determination:
Within 24 hours of arrest, a bail determination is made:
- During court hours, arrestees appear before a judge
- After court hours, a bail commissioner makes the determination
- Factors considered include flight risk, danger to community, and criminal history
- Options include release on personal recognizance, cash bail, or detention
Arraignment:
The first court appearance typically occurs on the next business day following arrest:
- Formal charges are read
- Constitutional rights are explained
- Legal counsel is appointed if the defendant qualifies
- Plea is entered (typically not guilty at this stage)
- Bail is reviewed by a judge
- Pretrial conditions may be set
Pretrial Proceedings:
Several legal proceedings may occur before trial:
- Discovery process where evidence is exchanged
- Pretrial conferences to discuss case status
- Motion hearings to resolve legal issues
- Plea negotiations between prosecution and defense
Case Disposition:
Cases may be resolved through various means:
- Dismissal by the court or prosecution
- Diversion to treatment programs or alternative resolution
- Plea agreement where the defendant admits to some or all charges
- Trial by judge (bench trial) or jury
Sentencing (if convicted):
If found guilty, sentencing follows based on:
- Massachusetts sentencing guidelines
- Statutory minimums and maximums
- Defendant's criminal history
- Victim impact statements
- Mitigating or aggravating factors
Post-Conviction:
After conviction, individuals may:
- Serve jail or prison time
- Complete probation requirements
- Pay fines and restitution
- Appeal the conviction or sentence
- Eventually seek record sealing or expungement as permitted by law
Throughout this process, arrest records are maintained and updated to reflect the current status of the case. These records become part of the individual's criminal history maintained by both Bristol County agencies and state-level criminal justice information systems.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Bristol County?
Arrest records in Bristol County are subject to retention requirements established by Massachusetts state law and regulations. The Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule governs how long various public records, including arrest records, must be maintained.
Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 8, all public records must be preserved in accordance with retention schedules approved by the Records Conservation Board. For law enforcement records in Bristol County:
Arrest Logs and Reports:
- Daily police logs must be retained for a minimum of 1 year
- Arrest reports are typically maintained for 10 years
- Reports involving serious felonies may be kept permanently
- Juvenile arrest records have specialized retention requirements
Booking Information:
- Booking sheets and photographs are generally retained for 10 years
- Fingerprint cards are maintained permanently
- Electronic booking data may be preserved indefinitely in database systems
Criminal History Information:
- Complete criminal history records are maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
- These records are generally kept for the lifetime of the individual
- Updates are made to reflect case dispositions, corrections, and sealed/expunged entries
Digital Records:
- Electronic arrest records in modern records management systems may be maintained indefinitely
- Legacy systems may have different retention periods based on when they were implemented
- Backup systems ensure preservation even when primary systems are updated
Different agencies within Bristol County may have supplemental retention policies that exceed the minimum state requirements. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office, for instance, maintains certain records for extended periods for administrative and statistical purposes.
It is important to note that even when physical records reach the end of their retention period, information may persist in summary form in databases, indices, and statistical reports. Additionally, records that have been sealed or expunged may still exist but with restricted access limited to authorized criminal justice agencies.
How to Find Mugshots in Bristol County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken by law enforcement agencies during the booking process following an arrest. In Bristol County, these photographs serve several purposes:
- Documenting the physical appearance of the arrestee at the time of booking
- Providing visual identification for law enforcement databases
- Assisting in the identification of individuals in custody
- Creating a visual record for potential use in investigations or court proceedings
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
Mugshots taken in Bristol County are primarily maintained by:
- The arresting police department's records division
- The Bristol County Sheriff's Office for individuals processed into county custody
- The Massachusetts State Police for arrests made by state troopers
- Electronic records management systems shared between agencies
Finding Mugshots
Individuals seeking mugshots in Bristol County must follow established procedures:
- Identify the arresting agency that would have the mugshot on file
- Submit a formal public records request to that agency citing M.G.L. c. 66, § 10
- Provide specific information including:
- Full name of the arrested individual
- Date of arrest (approximate if exact date unknown)
- Location of arrest if known
- Case or incident number if available
- Pay any applicable fees for record retrieval and reproduction
Can They Be Found Online
The availability of mugshots online through official channels in Bristol County is limited:
- The Bristol County Sheriff's Office does not currently publish a comprehensive mugshot database online
- Some local police departments may include mugshots in online arrest logs or press releases for specific cases
- Court records accessible online typically do not include mugshots
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
The most reliable method to obtain official mugshots is through formal channels:
Bristol County Sheriff's Office Records Division
400 Faunce Corner Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
(508) 995-6400
Bristol County Sheriff's Office
When requesting mugshots, be prepared to:
- Complete required forms
- Provide identification
- Explain the purpose of the request
- Pay applicable fees
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots in Bristol County may be restricted under certain circumstances:
- Juvenile arrest mugshots are generally not public records
- Mugshots related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
- Records that have been sealed or expunged are not accessible to the public
- Privacy exemptions may apply in certain sensitive cases
- Commercial use restrictions may limit republication
Requestors should be aware that while mugshots are generally considered public records in Massachusetts, their release is subject to the discretion of records custodians who must balance public access rights against privacy concerns and law enforcement needs.