Hampshire County Criminal Records

Hampshire County criminal records are maintained by the Hampshire County Superior Court and the Hampshire District Court, both located in Northampton. These records cover arrests, charges, and court dispositions filed in Hampshire County courts, and they are governed by Massachusetts state law. Anyone who needs to look up a case file, check a charge, or understand how the county court system handles criminal matters can find that information through the state court access tools and the DCJIS iCORI system.

Hampshire County Courts

Two main courts handle criminal matters in Hampshire County. The Hampshire County Superior Court takes on more serious felony cases. The Hampshire District Court handles misdemeanors, lower-level felonies, and arraignments. Both courts sit at the same address in Northampton. A second district court, the Eastern Hampshire District Court, serves the Belchertown area on the eastern side of the county. Each court keeps its own case records, though all of them are searchable through the state's online system.

The Hampshire County Superior Court handles jury trials, serious criminal cases, and appeals from the district court level. The clerk's office manages all filings and case records for the Superior Court. Records going back many years are kept on file, though older records may require more time to retrieve.

The Hampshire District Court handles the bulk of day-to-day criminal matters in the county. It hears arraignments for people charged in Hampshire County, bail hearings, and bench trials for misdemeanor cases. It also handles some lower-level felonies. Records from both courts are part of the statewide system.

The Hampshire County Superior Court location page on mass.gov lists current contact information and any updates to hours or services. Check there before making a trip in person.

The Hampshire County Superior Court in Northampton is the main venue for felony criminal cases and jury trials in the county. Its clerk's office keeps all case records open to the public during business hours.

How to Search Hampshire County Criminal Records Online

The fastest way to look up Hampshire County criminal records is through the Massachusetts Trial Court's free public case search tool at masscourts.org. This system lets you search by name, case number, or docket number. It covers cases from the Hampshire County Superior Court, the Hampshire District Court, and the Eastern Hampshire District Court. You don't need an account or a fee to use the public search.

When you run a search, the results show the case number, charges, court dates, and the outcome of the case if it has been resolved. Some older records may not appear in the online system. For those, you'd need to contact the clerk's office directly or visit in person. The online system is updated regularly but may not reflect very recent filings from the same day.

Another tool is the Massachusetts court docket search, which connects to the same court records system. It can be useful if you know a specific docket number or case reference. For broader searches, masscourts.org tends to be more flexible.

What Is CORI and How It Applies in Hampshire County

CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. It is the official term Massachusetts uses for criminal history records maintained by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, known as DCJIS. Every criminal case processed through a Massachusetts court, including those in Hampshire County, generates a CORI record. That record is tied to the individual charged, regardless of the outcome.

A CORI report can include arrests, charges, arraignments, convictions, and acquittals. It covers cases from all Massachusetts courts, not just the county where someone currently lives. So a person charged in Hampshire County who was also charged years ago in Middlesex County would have records from both counties in the same CORI report. The record reflects the full Massachusetts criminal history for that person.

CORI records are defined and governed by MGL c. 6 § 167. The law limits who can access certain types of CORI and under what conditions. Some records are available to the general public, while others require the subject's consent or a qualifying organizational account. What shows up in a CORI report depends on the requester's access level and the nature of the cases involved.

The Massachusetts CORI law page outlines what information is included in a CORI report, who can request it, and how the rules differ depending on the type of case and the requester's role.

Requesting CORI Through iCORI

The iCORI system is DCJIS's online portal for requesting official CORI reports. You can access it through the CORI information page on mass.gov. Individuals can request their own CORI for free. Organizations that qualify under the law can also request CORI through iCORI, though they must register and agree to the rules about how CORI can be used.

To request your own CORI, you'll need to create an account on the iCORI portal and verify your identity. The process is done online. Most requests are processed within a few business days. If the system needs more time to verify information, it may take longer. DCJIS can be reached at (617) 660-4640 if you have questions about your request or your account.

Organizations that want to request CORI on others must register with DCJIS and follow strict rules. The $25 fee applies per subject for organizational requests. Fee waivers are available in some cases via an Affidavit of Indigency. That form is available through the courts, including the Hampshire District Court in Northampton.

Sealing and Expungement in Hampshire County

Massachusetts law gives people two main options for limiting public access to criminal records: sealing and expungement. Both apply to Hampshire County records just as they do statewide. The rules and waiting periods depend on the type of case and how it ended.

Sealing is governed by MGL c. 276 §§ 100A and 100C. Under § 100A, a person can petition to seal a misdemeanor conviction after five years and a felony conviction after ten years, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. Under § 100C, cases that ended in dismissal or a not-guilty finding can be sealed immediately without waiting. Sealed records are not visible in public searches, though they may still appear in some official law enforcement queries.

Expungement goes further than sealing. It removes the record entirely. The rules for expungement are found in MGL c. 276 §§ 100E through 100U. Not all records are eligible. In general, expungement is available for cases involving youthful offenders and certain first-time offenses, subject to waiting periods and eligibility criteria. Petitions for sealing or expungement can be filed at the court where the case was heard. For Hampshire County cases, that means the Hampshire County Superior Court or the Hampshire District Court in Northampton.

Hampshire County Sheriff's Office

The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office maintains inmate and detention records for the county. It operates the county jail and house of correction. The Sheriff's Office does not issue CORI reports, but it does maintain records related to custody, bookings, and inmate status. If someone was held at the Hampshire County jail, that information may be accessible through the Sheriff's Office.

For victims and witnesses who need to track the status of an offender after sentencing, the VINE system (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) at vinelink.com provides alerts when an offender's status changes. This is a free service available statewide, including for cases that went through Hampshire County courts.

Local Law Enforcement in Hampshire County

Local police departments in Hampshire County generate arrest records that feed into the state CORI system. The two main cities in the county are Northampton and Amherst, both of which have their own police departments. Other towns in Hampshire County have their own local departments or rely on the Massachusetts State Police for coverage.

Police arrest records are separate from court records and CORI. They are maintained by each department. Some arrest information may appear in the public court records system once charges are filed, but initial booking records are held by the arresting agency. Requests for local police reports go directly to each department.

Sex Offender Registry in Hampshire County

The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, known as SORB, maintains a public registry of sex offenders. It is separate from CORI. Level 2 and Level 3 offenders are listed in the public registry, which you can search at mass.gov/orgs/sex-offender-registry-board. Hampshire County has registered sex offenders in Northampton, Amherst, and other communities. Searching by zip code or city will show offenders registered in that area.

Level 1 offenders are not listed in the public registry. They may still appear in CORI reports depending on the nature of the offense and the requester's access level. If you need information about a specific person's offender status, the SORB registry is the right place to start for public-facing information.

Hampshire Probate and Family Court

The Hampshire Probate and Family Court handles civil matters including guardianship, adoption, and probate. It does not handle criminal cases. However, some civil protective orders issued by this court, such as restraining orders, may appear alongside criminal records in certain searches. The Probate and Family Court is located at 33 King Street in Northampton.

Cities in Hampshire County

Hampshire County's largest communities are Northampton (the county seat) and Amherst, home to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Neither city meets the population threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site. For criminal records related to cases filed in Northampton or Amherst, use the Hampshire County Superior Court or Hampshire District Court, both located at 15 Gothic Street in Northampton. Other communities in the county include Easthampton, Ware, South Hadley, Hadley, and several smaller towns. All are served by the Hampshire County courts and the Eastern Hampshire District Court.

Nearby Counties

Hampshire County borders four other Massachusetts counties. Each has its own Superior Court and district courts. Criminal cases involving people from multiple counties or events that crossed county lines may have records in more than one court system. Use the links below to find county records pages for the surrounding areas.