Criminal Records in Plymouth County

Plymouth County criminal records are split between two court hubs: Brockton handles all Superior Court criminal sessions, while Plymouth hosts civil matters and several district courts serving the coastal towns. This page explains how to find Plymouth County criminal records through the courts, the Sheriff's Office, and the state's CORI system, whether you're looking for your own record or searching a public case file.

Plymouth County Superior Court

One important detail about Plymouth County Superior Court: all criminal sessions are held in Brockton only. If you need to look up a felony case, go to the Brockton courthouse on Belmont Street. The Plymouth courthouse on Obery Street handles civil matters. This split confuses a lot of people, so it's worth knowing before you make the trip.

Clerk Robert S. Creedon Jr. oversees Superior Court operations. Chief Probation Officer Brandon McClellan manages the probation department at this court. Records going back many years are on file at the Brockton location. You can call ahead to confirm that the case you're looking for is in the system before driving out.

The official court page is at mass.gov/locations/plymouth-county-superior-court. That page has the most current contact details and any changes to hours or procedures.

The Plymouth Superior Court page at mass.gov covers both courthouse locations and provides directions and parking information for each site.

All Plymouth County felony criminal cases go through the Superior Court's Brockton location, which maintains a permanent record of case filings, verdicts, and sentencing orders.

Plymouth County District Courts

Plymouth County is served by four district courts. Most misdemeanor cases, arraignments, and bail hearings happen at the district court level. Felony cases may begin here before being transferred to Superior Court in Brockton. Each district court covers a defined set of towns, so the right court depends on where the incident occurred.

If you don't know which district court handled a case, use the free public docket search at masscourts.org. Enter the name or case number and it will show you which court has the file. That's usually faster than calling each court individually.

The Massachusetts court system page at mass.gov has forms, fee schedules, and general guidance for anyone requesting court records in Plymouth County or elsewhere in the state.

Plymouth County CORI Reports

CORI, which stands for Criminal Offender Record Information, is the state's official criminal history system. It's managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, or DCJIS, at its Chelsea office. A Plymouth County criminal record search through iCORI will pull from the statewide database, not just local court records. This means it covers cases from any Massachusetts court, including those in Plymouth County.

The CORI information page at mass.gov explains how the system works and what information is included in a standard report. A CORI shows arrests, charges, dispositions, sentences, probation terms, and open warrant information. Cases that ended in dismissal or a not-guilty finding are also included.

You can request your own CORI through the iCORI online portal. Each person is entitled to one free request per year. After that, each request costs $25. If the $25 fee is a hardship, you can file an Affidavit of Indigency at any courthouse to request a fee waiver.

The Massachusetts CORI system, managed by DCJIS, provides official criminal history reports for Plymouth County residents and covers all Massachusetts court records in a single report.

Plymouth County Sheriff's Office

The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office manages county jail operations from its facility on Long Pond Road in Plymouth. If you need to check whether someone is currently in custody, the Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate lookup tool on its website. You can search by name or inmate ID number. The tool shows custody status, listed charges, and expected release dates when that information is available.

For written records requests, the Sheriff's Office asks that you submit your request in writing. Include the full name and date of birth of the subject, the approximate date of the custody period, and a copy of your own photo ID. Allow 10 to 15 business days for processing. VINELink at vinelink.com can send you automated alerts about custody status changes for individuals in Plymouth County.

Plymouth County District Attorney

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office is in Brockton, close to the Superior Court. DA Timothy J. Cruz oversees prosecution across the county. The DA's office holds public records related to prosecutions, including certain complaint records and case documents not protected by a statutory exemption.

To submit a public records request, you can reach Records Officer Karen Palumbo by email or mail. Be as specific as possible: name the parties, include a case number if you have one, and give an approximate date. The office tries to respond within 10 business days.

Sealing Plymouth County Criminal Records

People with old Plymouth County criminal records may be able to seal them under Massachusetts law. The sealing rules are found in MGL c. 276 § 100A. For misdemeanor convictions, you must wait five years from the end of your sentence. For felony convictions, the wait is ten years. Once the waiting period is up, you file a petition with the court that handled the original case. There is no filing fee for a sealing petition in Massachusetts.

Dismissals and not-guilty findings are handled differently. Under § 100C, these records can often be sealed right away without waiting. If your Plymouth County case was dismissed or you were found not guilty, you may be eligible to have the record sealed now.

Expungement under MGL c. 276 §§ 100E through 100U offers a more complete remedy in limited situations. Expunged records are fully removed from the state system. Eligibility depends on the nature of the charge and the circumstances of the case. Not every Plymouth County criminal record will qualify, so it's worth checking with the clerk's office or a legal aid provider before you file.

Plymouth County Court Record Fees

Fees for Plymouth County court records follow state-set schedules. Standard document copies from the clerk cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies, needed for legal purposes, run $3 to $20 depending on the type of document. A name search of the court index costs $5. There is free parking at the Plymouth courthouse on Obery Street, which is a small help if you're coming in person. The Brockton courthouse may have paid parking nearby.

CORI fees are set separately by the state. A standard iCORI request through DCJIS costs $25. Your first request each year for your own record is free. Keep this in mind if you're looking for your own Plymouth County criminal record rather than someone else's.

Plymouth County Police Records

Police incident reports, arrest logs, and booking records are held at the department level, not at the courthouse. To get a police record, you contact the department that made the arrest or filed the report. These records fall under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, and most departments accept written requests by mail or in person.

Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the approximate date of the incident in any police records request. A copy of your ID is typically required as well.

Cities in Plymouth County

These Plymouth County cities have individual pages with court locations and records details specific to each community.

Nearby Counties

Plymouth County shares borders with Norfolk, Bristol, and Barnstable counties. Each maintains its own court system and CORI access options.