Hampshire County Criminal Records
What Is Hampshire County Criminal Records
Hampshire County criminal records are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Hampshire County, Massachusetts. These records serve as the official history of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions maintained by various county and state agencies.
Criminal records in Hampshire County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas
- Court Records: Documentation of all court proceedings, including arraignments, hearings, trials, and sentencing
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding jail or prison terms served
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records confirm that the individual was found guilty of the offense through either a court verdict or guilty plea. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 167, criminal record information is defined as "records and data in any communicable form compiled by a criminal justice agency which concern an identifiable individual and relate to the nature or disposition of a criminal charge, an arrest, a pre-trial proceeding, other judicial proceedings, sentencing, incarceration, rehabilitation, or release."
Hampshire County criminal records typically distinguish between:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Adult Records: Generally accessible to the public
- Juvenile Records: Typically sealed and not available for public inspection
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Hampshire County:
Hampshire County Sheriff's Office
205 Rocky Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-5911
Hampshire County Sheriff's Office
Hampshire County Superior Court
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-5810
Hampshire County Superior Court
Hampshire County District Court
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-7400
Hampshire County District Court
Massachusetts State Police
555 North King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-5517
Massachusetts State Police
Criminal records typically include information about charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The comprehensiveness of these records is mandated by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 172, which governs the dissemination of criminal offender record information.
Are Criminal Records Public In Hampshire County
Criminal records in Hampshire County are generally considered public records under Massachusetts law, though with important exceptions and limitations. The Massachusetts Public Records Law, codified in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10, establishes the public's right to access government records, including most criminal records.
The 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 records are publicly accessible. Several categories of records have restricted access:
- Ongoing investigations: Active criminal investigations are exempt from public disclosure
- Sealed records: Records that have been sealed by court order are not available to the public
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are generally confidential
- Certain domestic violence cases: Some domestic violence records may be restricted
- Records subject to CORI regulations: The Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system restricts access to certain criminal history information
Adult conviction records are typically public and accessible through the courts or the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS). Court proceedings, including criminal trials, are generally open to the public unless specifically closed by a judge.
The Massachusetts CORI Reform Law of 2010 modified access to criminal records, establishing different levels of access for different users. Employers, housing providers, and the general public have varying degrees of access to CORI information, with certain protections in place for individuals with criminal histories.
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 172, criminal record information may be disseminated only to: "(a) criminal justice agencies; (b) such other agencies and individuals required to have access to such information by statute; and (c) any other agencies and individuals where it has been determined that the public interest in disseminating such information to these parties clearly outweighs the interest in security and privacy."
The public nature of criminal records serves important societal functions, including transparency in the judicial system, public safety awareness, and accountability of government agencies. However, these interests are balanced against individual privacy rights and the goal of rehabilitation.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Hampshire County in 2026
Hampshire County residents and interested parties may access criminal records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency maintaining it.
To obtain criminal records from the Hampshire County courts:
- Identify the appropriate court (District or Superior Court)
- Submit a written request or visit the court clerk's office in person
- Provide specific information about the case or individual
- Pay any applicable fees
- Receive copies of publicly available records
Hampshire County Superior Court Clerk's Office
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-5810
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Hampshire County Superior Court
For records maintained by the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office:
- Contact the Records Division
- Complete a records request form
- Provide identification and specify the records sought
- Pay established fees
- Allow processing time as required by law
Hampshire County Sheriff's Office Records Division
205 Rocky Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-5911
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Hampshire County Sheriff's Office
For comprehensive criminal history information:
- Submit a request to the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
- Complete the appropriate CORI request form
- Provide required identification
- Pay the statutory fee
- Receive results according to the established timeline
Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 660-4600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Massachusetts DCJIS
Requests may be submitted by mail, in person, or in some cases, electronically. Requestors should be prepared to provide:
- Full name of the subject (including aliases)
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (if available)
- Case numbers (if known)
- Approximate dates of court proceedings or arrests
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 172A, certain requestors may have enhanced access to criminal record information, particularly when the request involves vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.
How To Find Criminal Records in Hampshire County Online?
Hampshire County offers several digital resources for accessing criminal records online. These electronic systems provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by platform.
The Massachusetts Trial Court's Electronic Case Access system provides online access to court case information:
- Visit the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access
- Select the appropriate court department (District or Superior)
- Choose Hampshire County from the location dropdown
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
- Review available case information
This system displays basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status. However, complete case files and documents typically require in-person requests.
For checking current inmate status and recent arrests:
- Access the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- Review available custody information
The Massachusetts Probation Service maintains the MassCourts system, which contains criminal and civil case information:
- Register for an account on the MassCourts portal
- Complete identity verification
- Search for cases by name, case number, or other identifiers
- Access available case information
For comprehensive criminal history information, the Massachusetts iCORI (Internet-based Criminal Offender Record Information) system allows registered users to request criminal records online:
- Register for an account on the iCORI portal
- Select the appropriate request type
- Pay the required fee
- Receive results electronically
Registration requirements vary by system. The iCORI system requires user registration and validation, while some court case search functions are available without registration. Access levels differ based on user type (general public, employers, criminal justice agencies).
Online systems typically provide:
- Basic case information (charges, dates, status)
- Custody status for current inmates
- Court calendar information
- Case disposition information
However, certain information remains available only through in-person requests, including:
- Complete case files
- Evidence records
- Certain sealed or restricted records
- Historical records not yet digitized
Can You Search Hampshire County Criminal Records for Free?
Hampshire County residents may access certain criminal records without charge, though fees apply to some services. Massachusetts law establishes the public's right to inspect many government records at no cost, while allowing reasonable fees for copies and certain specialized services.
Free inspection of criminal records is available at:
Hampshire County Superior Court
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-5810
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Hampshire County Superior Court
Hampshire County District Court
15 Gothic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-7400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Hampshire County District Court
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10(a), "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."
Free online resources include:
- The Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access system provides basic case information without charge
- The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office website offers a free inmate lookup service
- The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board provides free public access to sex offender information
While inspection is free, fees typically apply for:
- Copies of court documents ($1.00-$2.50 per page)
- Certified copies of court records ($5.00-$20.00)
- Criminal record checks through iCORI ($25.00 standard fee)
- Expedited processing services (varies by agency)
The Massachusetts Public Records Law allows agencies to charge reasonable fees to cover the actual cost of reproducing records, but not for the time spent segregating or redacting records unless such work exceeds 4 hours. Fee waivers may be available for requests made in the public interest or by indigent requestors.
What's Included in a Hampshire County Criminal Record?
Hampshire County criminal records contain comprehensive information about 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
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea entered
- Attorney information
- Hearing dates and proceedings
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offenses
- Traffic violations (if criminal in nature)
- Pending charges
- Probation violations
The comprehensiveness of criminal records is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 167-178, which defines criminal record information and establishes standards for its collection, maintenance, and dissemination.
Criminal records may also include notations regarding sealed or expunged information, though the details of such records are not publicly accessible. Records may indicate when information has been sealed pursuant to Massachusetts law, but will not display the sealed content.
The level of detail in publicly accessible records may vary based on the requestor's authorization level, the age of the record, and applicable privacy restrictions. Criminal justice agencies typically have access to more comprehensive information than the general public.
How Long Does Hampshire County Keep Criminal Records?
Hampshire County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by Massachusetts state law and administrative regulations. These schedules vary by record type and maintaining agency.
Court records in Hampshire County are generally retained permanently, particularly for felony cases. According to the Massachusetts Judicial Records Retention Schedule, established under the authority of the Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:11, case files for major criminal cases are preserved indefinitely.
Specific retention periods include:
- Felony Case Files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Minimum 10 years after case closure
- Probation Records: 10 years after discharge from probation
- Arrest Records: Minimum 10 years from date of arrest
- Booking Photos and Fingerprints: Permanent retention
- Court Dockets and Indexes: Permanent retention
- Search and Arrest Warrants: 10 years after execution or expiration
The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office maintains jail records according to the following schedule:
- Inmate Files: 7 years after release
- Booking Information: 10 years
- Visitor Logs: 3 years
- Inmate Medical Records: 30 years
The Massachusetts State Archives, operating under the Secretary of the Commonwealth, provides oversight for records retention throughout the state. The Archives establishes retention schedules for various government agencies, including those in the criminal justice system.
Criminal records may be subject to sealing or expungement under certain circumstances. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100A, individuals may petition to have their records sealed after waiting periods of:
- 5 years for misdemeanor convictions
- 10 years for felony convictions
- Immediately for non-conviction records (dismissals, not guilty verdicts)
Even when records are sealed or expunged, certain criminal justice agencies may retain access to this information for law enforcement purposes. Additionally, some records may be maintained for statistical or research purposes with personally identifying information removed.
The digital transformation of record-keeping has extended the practical retention of many records beyond their scheduled destruction dates, as electronic storage has reduced the physical constraints that previously limited record retention.