Criminal Records in Somerville

Criminal records in Somerville run through the Somerville District Court on Fellsway and the state's CORI system, giving the public and authorized parties access to case filings, arrest history, and certified background reports. This page covers the courts, police records bureau, and online tools you can use to search Somerville criminal records in Middlesex County.

Somerville District Court

The Somerville District Court handles criminal cases for both Somerville and Medford. It sits at 175 Fellsway with free parking in a lot behind the building. The court processes arraignments, pretrial hearings, trials, and sentencing for misdemeanors and many felony charges. The clerk's office is the right contact for case records. Staff there can confirm whether a case exists, what the current status is, and what documents are available for public inspection.

Because the court serves two cities, it handles a fair volume of cases. When you call or visit, be prepared with a case number if you have one, or at least a full name and date of birth. That helps staff find the right record quickly. The public terminal in the courthouse lobby also lets you search the docket system without going to the counter.

The court's page on mass.gov includes directions, accessibility details, and contact information. Check it before your visit, especially around holidays when hours may differ.

The Somerville District Court at 175 Fellsway processes criminal cases for Somerville and Medford. The clerk's office handles public records requests and case inquiries during regular business hours.

Search Somerville Criminal Records Online

The Massachusetts Trial Court provides a free public case search tool that covers Somerville District Court filings. You can look up cases by name or case number and see docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and case status. It is a solid starting point, though it does not display sealed or expunged records. Some very old paper-only records may also not appear.

Use the search at mass.gov/search-court-dockets-calendars-and-case-information and filter by Somerville District Court to focus your results. For a certified criminal history, you need a CORI report. CORI is the state's Criminal Offender Record Information system, run by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. A report costs $25 for requests on another person. You can request your own at no charge. The iCORI portal is at mass.gov/massachusetts-criminal-offender-record-information-cori.

CORI covers all Massachusetts criminal history in one report. A person with Somerville criminal records and records in another county will have both listed. That breadth makes CORI the most thorough option when you need a complete state criminal history rather than just records from one court.

Middlesex County Superior Court

Serious felony cases from Somerville that go beyond what the district court handles move up to the Middlesex County Superior Court. The Superior Court has two locations serving Middlesex County — one in Woburn and one in Lowell. Somerville cases typically route through Woburn, though that can depend on caseload.

When searching for Somerville criminal records involving major charges, it is worth checking the Superior Court in addition to the district court. The Trial Court's online search covers both levels, so one search can pull up results from either court.

Somerville Police Department Records

The Somerville Police Department keeps its own files that are separate from court records. Police records include arrest logs, incident reports, and booking data. An arrest that never led to charges will show in police records but not in court records. That's one reason why checking both systems gives a more complete picture.

The Somerville Police Records Bureau handles public records requests in person. Hours are limited compared to the main station, so plan ahead. Bring a valid ID. You can also submit a written public records request by mail. The department must respond within ten business days under the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

Note that the Records Bureau is closed on Mondays. If you need to visit, Tuesday through Friday during those hours is the window.

CORI in Massachusetts

CORI is Massachusetts' official system for criminal history information. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, or DCJIS, runs it. DCJIS is reachable at (617) 660-4640. CORI reports include arraignments, charges, case outcomes, and any subsequent offenses. They do not include arrests that did not result in charges, or records that have been sealed or expunged.

Anyone can request their own CORI. Third-party requests cost $25 and require proper authorization. Authorized requesters include employers in certain fields, government agencies, and others defined by state law. The iCORI portal processes online requests. You create an account and submit the request digitally. Results come back as a PDF report. For more on your rights and the rules around CORI, visit mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-criminal-records-cori.

Somerville criminal records appear on a CORI report like records from any other Massachusetts court. The report identifies the specific court where each case was filed. So a Somerville District Court case will show as such on the report.

Sealing and Expungement

Massachusetts law gives people tools to clear or limit access to old criminal records. Sealing puts the record out of reach of most public searches and many employers. Expungement destroys the record entirely. Both require that certain conditions are met — mainly that enough time has passed and that the person has not reoffended.

Sealing is authorized under MGL c. 276 § 100A. Misdemeanor records become eligible three years after the case closes. Felony records take seven years. Expungement under MGL c. 276 §§ 100E through 100U applies in narrower cases, mostly dismissals, not-guilty findings, or offenses committed as a juvenile. If you want to seal a Somerville criminal record, you file a petition at the Somerville District Court. The clerk's office has the forms. Legal aid services in Middlesex County may be available if you can't afford an attorney.

Sex Offender Registry

The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, known as SORB, maintains a public list of registered sex offenders across the state. You can search by name or location at mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board. There is no fee. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders appear publicly. Level 1 offenders do not show in the public search. The Somerville Police Department also works with SORB on local notifications when required.

Victim Notification — VINE

VINE is a free service that lets crime victims track offender custody status. You can register for alerts at vinelink.com. The system sends automatic notifications when an offender's status changes, such as a release, transfer, or court date. VINE operates in Middlesex County facilities and covers cases that originated in Somerville. This is useful if you are a victim who needs to know when someone is released from custody.

Middlesex County Criminal Records

Somerville is in Middlesex County. For full county resources and court info, visit the county page.

View Middlesex County Criminal Records

Nearby Cities

Somerville sits between several cities in Middlesex County, each served by its own district court and records office.