Norfolk County Criminal Records
What Is Norfolk County Criminal Records
Norfolk County criminal records are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Norfolk County. These records serve as the official history of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and case dispositions maintained by various county agencies pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 167.
Criminal records in Norfolk County typically include:
- Arrest records maintained by the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and local police departments
- Court case files held by the Norfolk Superior Court and District Courts
- Incarceration records from the Norfolk County Correctional Center
- Probation and parole information maintained by the Massachusetts Probation Service
The distinction between record types is significant for public access purposes:
- Arrest records document when an individual is taken into custody but do not indicate guilt
- Conviction records confirm that a court has found an individual guilty of a criminal offense
- Felony records involve more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanor records involve less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or jail terms under one year
Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public, while juvenile records (individuals under 18) are sealed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 52 and require court orders for access.
The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Norfolk County include:
Norfolk County Sheriff's Office
200 West Street
Dedham, MA 02026
781-329-3705
Norfolk County Sheriff's Office
Norfolk Superior Court
650 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
781-326-1600
Norfolk Superior Court
Massachusetts State Police
470 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
508-820-2300
Massachusetts State Police
Complete criminal records typically document the entire criminal justice process from arrest through final disposition, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.
Are Criminal Records Public In Norfolk County
Criminal records in Norfolk County are generally considered public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, codified in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10. This statute establishes that "every person having custody of any public record shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it to be inspected and examined by any person."
The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system governs access to criminal records. Under current law, certain criminal record information is available to the public, while other information remains restricted. The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) administers the CORI system pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 172.
Public criminal record information typically includes:
- Adult conviction records
- Cases ending in a guilty finding
- Court docket information for pending criminal cases
- Information about defendants on probation, parole, or pre-trial release
Restricted criminal record information generally includes:
- Non-conviction data (arrests not resulting in conviction)
- Sealed records (eligible after waiting periods under state law)
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Grand jury proceedings
- Cases dismissed for lack of probable cause
- Cases ending in not guilty findings
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has affirmed that court records, including criminal case files, are presumptively public documents. However, this presumption can be overcome when privacy or security concerns outweigh the public interest in disclosure, as established in Boston Herald, Inc. v. Sharpe, 432 Mass. 593 (2000).
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Norfolk County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Norfolk County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and its custodian agency.
For court records, individuals may:
- Visit the appropriate Norfolk County courthouse in person during regular business hours
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts using the designated request form
- Access the Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case search system
- Request certified copies of court documents for a fee
Norfolk Superior Court
650 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
781-326-1600
Norfolk Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For sheriff and police records, requesters may:
- Submit a public records request to the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office
- Contact the arresting police department directly
- Check online jail rosters for current inmate information
- Request incident reports from the relevant law enforcement agency
Norfolk County Sheriff's Office
200 West Street
Dedham, MA 02026
781-329-3705
Norfolk County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may:
- Submit a CORI request through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
- Create an account on the iCORI system for online access
- Submit fingerprints for a more thorough background check
- Request a self-audit of personal CORI information once every 90 days at no charge
Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
617-660-4600
Massachusetts DCJIS
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information about the subject, including full name, date of birth, and case numbers if available. Certain requests may require proof of identity or legal authorization to access the records.
How To Find Criminal Records in Norfolk County Online?
Norfolk County residents and interested parties may access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by state and county agencies. These digital resources provide convenient access to public information without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
The Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case access portal offers comprehensive court record searches:
- MassCourts Public Internet Portal provides case information from all courts statewide
- Users can search by name, case number, or attorney
- The system displays case type, filing date, charges, scheduled events, and disposition information
- No registration is required for basic searches
- Document images are not available online; full case files must be viewed at the courthouse
The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system:
- Current inmate population can be searched by name
- Information includes booking date, charges, and expected release date
- Updated daily but does not include historical records
- No registration required for public access
For comprehensive criminal history information, the Massachusetts iCORI system provides:
- Online access to Criminal Offender Record Information
- Registration and account creation required
- Tiered access levels based on user type (general public, employers, organizations)
- Fees apply for most searches ($25 per standard request)
- Results available immediately for most searches
Additional online resources include:
- Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board's public website for Level 2 and 3 offenders
- Massachusetts Probation Service's electronic monitoring portal (restricted access)
- Local police department websites that may publish daily logs and arrest information
Users should note that online systems have limitations:
- Records prior to digitization (typically pre-2000) may not appear in online databases
- Sealed or expunged records are not accessible online
- Some sensitive case types may be restricted from public online access
- Technical limitations may affect search accuracy; using multiple identifiers improves results
Can You Search Norfolk County Criminal Records for Free?
Norfolk County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law. This statute establishes that public agencies may charge only for the actual cost of reproducing records, not for the time spent searching for or retrieving them in most circumstances.
Free in-person inspection options include:
- Viewing public court files at the Norfolk Superior Court and District Courts during regular business hours
- Accessing public terminals at courthouse locations to search basic case information
- Reviewing police logs and certain arrest records at local police departments
- Examining public portions of criminal case files maintained by the Clerk of Courts
Norfolk Superior Court
650 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
781-326-1600
Norfolk Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Free online resources available to the public include:
- Basic searches on the MassCourts Public Internet Portal (no registration required)
- Norfolk County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system
- Public police logs posted on local department websites
- Level 2 and 3 sex offender information through the Sex Offender Registry Board
While inspection is free, fees may apply for:
- Copies of court documents ($1.00 per page for regular copies, $3.00 per page for certified copies)
- Comprehensive CORI reports through the iCORI system ($25 per standard request)
- Certified disposition records from the courts
- Expedited or specialized record searches
Under Massachusetts law, certain individuals may qualify for fee waivers:
- Indigent persons may request fee waivers with proof of financial hardship
- Individuals requesting records about themselves for review (self-audit) through DCJIS once every 90 days
- Certain non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations
The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, which oversees public records compliance, maintains that "a records custodian may not charge a fee for public records unless specifically authorized by law or regulation."
What's Included in a Norfolk County Criminal Record?
Norfolk County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include multiple categories of information maintained by various criminal justice agencies.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed by law enforcement
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Court docket/case number
- Court of jurisdiction (District or Superior)
- Filing date and case initiation method
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor with Massachusetts General Laws citations
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
- Scheduled court appearances and continuances
Disposition Information:
- Final verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, fees, and restitution ordered
- Alternative sentencing (community service, treatment programs)
- Appeal information and outcomes
- Probation/parole status and violations
- Completion of sentence information
Additional Information:
- Active warrants and their status
- Restraining/protective orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/OUI offenses and license sanctions
- Related traffic violations
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history summary
The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on the stage of the criminal justice process and the maintaining agency. Court records typically contain the most complete case information, while law enforcement records may focus more on arrest and charging details.
How Long Does Norfolk County Keep Criminal Records?
Norfolk County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Massachusetts Records Conservation Board and the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Archives Division. These retention periods vary by record type and are governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 8.
Court records retention periods typically include:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention for murder and sex crimes; 25 years after case closure for other felonies
- Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic and minor offense records: 5-7 years after case disposition
- Probation records: 10 years after completion of probation term
- Restraining/protective orders: 10 years after expiration
- Grand jury proceedings: Permanently sealed by statute
Law enforcement records retention typically includes:
- Arrest records: 10 years from date of arrest
- Incident reports: 10 years from date of incident
- Booking photographs and fingerprints: 10 years for misdemeanors; permanent for felonies
- Investigation files: 10 years after case closure for solved cases; permanent for unsolved major crimes
Correctional records retention typically includes:
- Inmate files: 10 years after final release from custody
- Disciplinary reports: 7 years after inmate release
- Visitor logs: 3 years after last entry
The Massachusetts State Archives maintains the official Statewide Records Retention Schedule that governs all county and municipal records. This schedule establishes minimum retention periods, though agencies may maintain records longer at their discretion.
Important exceptions to standard retention periods include:
- Records pertaining to unsolved homicides are retained permanently
- Sex offense records are typically retained for extended periods or permanently
- Juvenile records may be subject to different retention schedules
- Records ordered sealed by a court are removed from public access but maintained according to retention schedules
After the designated retention period expires, records may be destroyed according to approved disposition procedures. However, many historically significant criminal records are transferred to the Massachusetts State Archives for permanent preservation.