Find Haverhill Criminal Court Records
Haverhill criminal court records are maintained by the Haverhill District Court and the Essex Superior Court in Salem. Haverhill sits in northern Essex County near the New Hampshire border, with a population of about 68,000. The district court on High Street handles misdemeanors, arraignments, and some felony proceedings that begin in the city. Serious felony cases get sent to the Essex Superior Court. You can search for Haverhill criminal court records through the state's online portal or go to the clerk's office in person at either court. This page covers court contact details, search methods, fees, and legal resources for Haverhill residents.
Haverhill Overview
Haverhill District Court Criminal Records
The Haverhill District Court is at 45 High Street. This is the court where most criminal cases in the city start. It handles misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and initial felony hearings. If someone gets arrested in Haverhill, the case is filed here first. The clerk's office stores all records and helps with copy requests.
You can call (978) 374-2853 to ask about a case or check what documents to bring. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in visits work fine. Just bring a photo ID and any details you have about the case. The clerk can search by name or docket number. Same-day copies are available for most recent cases. Files that have been moved to off-site storage could take a few extra days to get. The Haverhill District Court page on mass.gov lists the full address, directions, and services.
Haverhill is one of the larger courts in northern Essex County. It also serves the towns of Groveland and West Newbury. If the incident happened in one of those towns, the records would be at this court as well.
| Court | Haverhill District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 45 High Street Haverhill, MA 01830 |
| Phone | (978) 374-2853 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The screenshot below shows the Haverhill District Court page on mass.gov, which has hours and directions for the courthouse.
Use this page to check for holiday closures or changes in hours before you head to court.
Essex Superior Court for Haverhill Cases
Felony cases from Haverhill that get indicted are sent to the Essex Superior Court. This court is in Salem at 56 Federal Street. It is not in Haverhill, so you would need to go to Salem for hearings or to get records on serious cases. The criminal clerk at Essex Superior Court handles all felony-level files for the county.
Call (978) 744-1025 to check on a Haverhill case at the superior court. The office hours are the same as district court. Visit in person with a photo ID and any case details you have. If you know the docket number, the search is fast. Without it, give the clerk the defendant's name and the approximate year the case was filed. The Essex County District Attorney's Office prosecutes all felony cases that reach this level and maintains its own records on cases it has handled.
Note: The Essex Superior Court in Salem handles cases from all of Essex County, not just Haverhill.
Searching Haverhill Criminal Court Records
The MassCourts portal is the free online tool for searching court records in Massachusetts. It covers both the Haverhill District Court and Essex Superior Court. You can find docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Criminal cases can only be searched by docket number on this system. Name searches do not work for criminal matters.
If you need to search by name, visit the Haverhill District Court clerk at 45 High Street. The staff there can look up records using the defendant's name. This is the most reliable way to find Haverhill criminal court records when you do not have a case number. Phone calls to (978) 374-2853 can confirm if a record exists, but the clerk may ask you to come in for the actual copies.
You can send a request by mail too. Address it to the clerk of court at 45 High Street, Haverhill, MA 01830. Include the defendant's name, date of birth, and any case details. Enclose a check for the copy fees and a stamped return envelope. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. Cases stored off-site can take longer.
The Essex County Sheriff's Office handles inmate records for people held at the county facility. That is separate from court records, but the sheriff's site can help if you need to find out if someone is currently in custody.
Haverhill Criminal Background Checks
Massachusetts uses the CORI system for criminal background checks. It covers every court in the state, including Haverhill District Court and Essex Superior Court. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services runs the program.
Check your own CORI for free once a year at the iCORI portal. You create an account, verify your identity, and get your results quickly. To check someone else, you must register as an approved organization and pay $25 per search. Many employers and housing providers in Haverhill use this for screening.
Sealed records do not show up in CORI results. You can seal a misdemeanor 3 years after the disposition. Felonies take 7 years. Cases dismissed or ending in acquittal can be sealed right away under M.G.L. c. 276, section 100C. Juvenile records are kept in a separate system and are not part of standard CORI checks.
Haverhill Court Record Fees
Fees for copies of Haverhill criminal court records are set by the state. They are the same at every Massachusetts court location.
- Non-certified copies: $0.05 per page
- Certified copies: $2.50 per page
- Certificate of order or judgment: $20.00
- CORI background check: $25.00
The clerk's office takes cash, check, and money order. Some courts also accept credit cards. For mail requests, include a check made out to the clerk's office along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing usually takes 5 to 10 business days. Older records in off-site storage may take longer to retrieve and copy.
If you have low income, you can file an Affidavit of Indigency with the court. A judge will review your finances and may waive the fees. This applies to both filing fees and copy costs for Haverhill criminal court records.
Legal Resources for Haverhill Cases
Northeast Legal Aid serves the Haverhill area and offers free legal help to people with low income. They assist with criminal record sealing and other legal needs. Contact them to find out if you qualify for services.
The Massachusetts Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (617) 654-0400. The first meeting with an attorney costs $25 for 30 minutes. Their Dial-A-Lawyer program is free on the first Wednesday of every month. MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org publishes guides on criminal court topics like bail, arraignment, and how to seal a record. All court forms are free to download from the Trial Court website.
The Essex County DA at essexdistrictattorney.com posts information about victim services and crime prevention programs serving Haverhill and northern Essex County. If you are a victim or witness in a Haverhill criminal case, the DA's victim assistance unit can help you understand the process and your rights.
Essex County Criminal Court Records
Haverhill is in Essex County. All criminal cases from the city go through the Essex County court system. The county has several District Courts and the Essex Superior Court in Salem. For a full look at the county court system, other court locations, and record search options, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Haverhill in the Merrimack Valley area. Each has its own District Court or is served by a court in a neighboring city.