Criminal Court Records in Fall River
Criminal court records in Fall River are kept at the Fall River District Court on South Main Street. Fall River has about 94,000 residents and sits in the southern part of Bristol County. The district court hears misdemeanors, lesser felonies, and arraignments from local arrests. Serious felony cases move to Bristol Superior Court in Taunton. The Bristol County DA also has an office right in Fall River, which makes the city a significant hub for criminal case processing in the county. This page walks through how to search for records, where to get copies, fees, and legal resources for Fall River criminal court records.
Fall River Overview
Fall River District Court Criminal Cases
Fall River District Court handles the bulk of criminal cases from the city. It sits at 186 South Main Street. The court processes arraignments, misdemeanor trials, restraining orders, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. If someone is picked up by Fall River police, their case starts at this court.
| Court | Fall River District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 186 South Main Street Fall River, MA 02721 |
| Phone | (508) 675-7461 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mass.gov - Fall River District Court |
The clerk's office handles all record requests. Walk in with a photo ID and tell the clerk what you need. If you have a case number, the lookup is quick. Name searches take longer but the staff can usually find what you are looking for if you give them enough details. Certified copies take a bit more time because the clerk needs to add the court seal. Call ahead at (508) 675-7461 if you have questions about what is available.
The Fall River District Court page on mass.gov has the latest contact information and details about this court location.
Fall River District Court is the main court for criminal filings in the city. Most arrests in Fall River lead to cases processed right here.
Bristol Superior Court for Fall River
Serious felony cases from Fall River are handled at Bristol Superior Court in Taunton. The court is at 11 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780. Call (508) 823-8900 for information.
When a grand jury in Bristol County indicts someone on a Fall River case, the file moves to the Superior Court. These are the heavy cases. Armed robbery, drug trafficking, major assaults, and homicides all go through Taunton. The clerk at Bristol Superior Court keeps these records and handles copy requests. If you need to look up a felony case from Fall River that went past the district court level, Taunton is where the file will be. You can search for it on MassCourts by picking "Superior Court" and "Bristol." The drive from Fall River to Taunton takes about 20 minutes.
Note: Bristol Superior Court in Taunton serves all cities in Bristol County, not just Fall River.
How to Search Fall River Criminal Court Records
The state provides a free portal called MassCourts for searching court records online. Go to masscourts.org, complete the CAPTCHA, and pick your court. For Fall River District Court cases, choose "District Court" and "Fall River." Enter the docket number and hit search. The results show charges, hearing dates, and case disposition.
Criminal records on MassCourts are mostly accessible by case number only. Name searches work for civil cases but are restricted for criminal matters. This is a statewide limitation, not something specific to Fall River. If you don't have the docket number, your options are to call the clerk at (508) 675-7461 or visit in person. The clerk can run a name-based search and find what you need.
For a full criminal background check, go to icori.chs.state.ma.us. This is the iCORI system run by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. A public search costs $25. You need the subject's full name, date of birth, and partial Social Security number. Results cover all Massachusetts courts. Fall River residents can check their own CORI for free once each year. The system operates under M.G.L. c. 6, § 167-172.
Bristol County District Attorney in Fall River
The Bristol County DA's office is headquartered at 1 Government Center in Fall River. That puts the main prosecution office right in the city. The phone number is (508) 828-2300 and the website is bristolda.com.
Having the DA's office in Fall River means a lot of the county's criminal prosecution work flows through the city. The office handles cases from all five district courts in Bristol County, including Fall River. They prosecute everything from shoplifting to murder. Their victim-witness assistance program keeps crime victims and witnesses updated on case progress, court dates, and outcomes. Contact the office if you need information about a case being prosecuted. For actual court documents and copies, you still go through the clerk at the court where the case was filed.
Fall River Criminal Record Copy Fees
Record copy fees at Fall River District Court match the statewide schedule used by every Massachusetts court. Here is what copies cost:
- Non-certified copies: $0.05 per page
- Certified (attested) copies: $2.50 per page
- Certificate of court order: $20.00
- CORI background check: $25.00
- Self CORI: 1 free per year, then $25.00
You can pay at the clerk's office with cash, check, or credit card. Mail requests need a check or money order payable to the clerk of court. Include a photocopy of your ID and a written description of the records you want. Mail requests usually take two to three weeks. If you cannot afford the fees, ask for an Affidavit of Indigency from the clerk. The court may waive fees if you show that you have limited income.
Note: Always verify current fees with the clerk before sending payment by mail.
Sealing Fall River Criminal Records
Massachusetts law allows people to seal certain criminal records. If your case ended in a dismissal or not guilty finding, you can seal it immediately under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100C. Convictions have wait times. You must wait three years after a misdemeanor and seven years after a felony under § 100A.
To seal a Fall River case, file a petition at the court where it was heard. That is usually Fall River District Court for misdemeanors and Bristol Superior Court in Taunton for felonies. The clerk has the petition forms. Fill them out and submit them. A judge reviews the request. Sealed records do not appear on standard CORI checks, which helps with jobs and housing. Law enforcement can still see sealed records. The process generally takes a few weeks after you file the paperwork.
Legal Resources in Fall River
Fall River residents who cannot pay for a lawyer may qualify for a public defender. At arraignment, the court checks your income and assigns an attorney from the Committee for Public Counsel Services if you are eligible. Most people who need help get one.
The Massachusetts Bar Association runs a referral service at (617) 654-0400. They match you with a criminal defense attorney and your first meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes. South Coastal Counties Legal Services works in Bristol County and can help with civil legal issues and point you to criminal law resources. MassLegalHelp has free online guides about criminal law, court procedures, record sealing, and your rights in the justice system. These are good starting points whether you have an active case or want to deal with an old record.
Nearby Cities
New Bedford is about 15 miles east and shares the same county court system. Taunton is the Bristol County seat and home to the Superior Court where serious Fall River felony cases are tried. Both cities have their own criminal court records pages.
Bristol County Criminal Court Records
Fall River is in Bristol County. All criminal cases from the city are part of the Bristol County system. The county page covers every court in the area, from the five district courts to the Superior Court in Taunton. For a complete look at how Bristol County handles criminal case records, check the county page.