Cambridge Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records for Cambridge cases are handled by courts outside the city limits. Cambridge District Court is actually located in Medford, not Cambridge. This surprises many people. The court serves Cambridge, Arlington, and Belmont. For serious felony cases, Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn handles the proceedings. You can search Cambridge criminal court records online through masscourts.org or visit either courthouse in person. The free state portal shows docket entries, charges, and case status for public records at both courts.
Cambridge Court Facts
Courts Serving Cambridge
Cambridge District Court handles most criminal cases that start in the city. Despite its name, the court is at 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford. If you live in Cambridge and get charged with a crime, this is where your case goes first. The court covers misdemeanors and lower-level felonies. Call the clerk at (781) 306-2715 for case information or to ask about getting copies of records.
| Court | Cambridge District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway Medford, MA 02155 |
| Phone | (781) 306-2715 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The court also serves Arlington and Belmont, so it handles a good volume of cases from the area. Parking is available at the Medford location, which is easier than downtown Boston or Cambridge. Bring a photo ID for the security check.
Major felony cases from Cambridge go to Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. This court is at 200 Trade Center. It handles serious crimes like murder, large-scale drug cases, and armed robbery. The clerk's phone is (781) 939-2700. Woburn is a bit of a drive from Cambridge, but the court covers all of Middlesex County from this location.
| Court | Middlesex Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Trade Center Woburn, MA 01801 |
| Phone | (781) 939-2700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases in Cambridge. Their main office is at 15 Commonwealth Ave in Woburn. Call (781) 897-8300 or visit middlesexda.com for case updates and victim services.
Search Cambridge Criminal Court Records
The Cambridge District Court page on mass.gov has the court's official hours, directions, and contact details. Check here before making the trip to Medford.
The court's mass.gov page also links to motion forms and self-help resources for people dealing with criminal cases in Cambridge.
MassCourts is the free state tool for online criminal record searches. Visit masscourts.org and search by name or case number. The system covers Cambridge District Court and Middlesex Superior Court. You will see docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. Some older records may not be in the online system, but cases from the past ten years or so are well covered.
The Middlesex Superior Court page on mass.gov provides details for the Woburn courthouse where felony cases from Cambridge are heard.
Use this page to confirm hours and directions before visiting the Superior Court in Woburn for Cambridge felony records.
To look up records in person, go to the clerk's office at whichever court holds the case. For most Cambridge criminal matters, that means the District Court in Medford. Bring a photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number and pull the file for you to review. You can get plain or certified copies on the spot.
Cambridge CORI Checks and Fees
A CORI check at icori.chs.state.ma.us costs $25 and pulls criminal record data from every court in Massachusetts. It is not limited to Cambridge. You need the full name and date of birth of the person you are checking. Results include charges, case dispositions, and sentencing info. Sealed and expunged records do not appear.
Copy fees at the court follow statewide rates. Plain copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. A certificate of disposition costs $20. If you just need proof of a case outcome for a job or housing application, a single certified disposition page is usually enough. Ask the clerk what will work for your situation before ordering a full set of copies.
Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. File an Affidavit of Indigency and a judge will decide if you qualify.
Sealing Criminal Records in Cambridge
You can ask to seal a criminal record in Cambridge after the required waiting period. Misdemeanors can be sealed 3 years after the case ends. Felonies require 7 years. File the petition at the court where the case was handled. For most Cambridge cases, that means Cambridge District Court in Medford.
Sealed records stop showing up on CORI checks. Employers and landlords will not see them in a standard background search. Certain sensitive jobs still require disclosure of sealed records. The forms are free at the clerk's office. There is no filing fee for a sealing petition. A judge reviews the request and weighs the type of offense against what you have done since then. Sex offenses and some violent crimes cannot be sealed.
Note: The court in Medford handles sealing petitions for all Cambridge cases, even older ones.
Legal Resources in Cambridge
Cambridge has strong legal aid options. Greater Boston Legal Services covers Cambridge and can help with CORI issues, sealing petitions, and criminal record problems. Harvard Law School runs several clinical programs that offer free legal help on criminal matters. The Massachusetts Bar Association referral line at (617) 654-0400 can match you with a criminal defense lawyer. The first meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes.
The court service center at Cambridge District Court can help you find the right forms and understand the process. Staff there cannot give legal advice, but they know the paperwork well. If you qualify for a public defender, the Committee for Public Counsel Services assigns one at your arraignment.
Middlesex County Criminal Court Records
Cambridge is in Middlesex County, the most populous county in Massachusetts. The county has many district courts and two Superior Court locations. For a full overview of Middlesex County courts and criminal record resources, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
Somerville borders Cambridge to the north and has its own district court. Medford is where Cambridge District Court is actually located. Boston is just across the river and uses its own municipal court system. Everett is also close by in Middlesex County.