Dukes County Criminal Court Records

Dukes County criminal court records are maintained at the courthouse in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard. This island county has about 20,000 year-round residents, though the population swells during summer months. All criminal cases filed in Dukes County go through either the Superior Court or the Edgartown District Court, both located at 81 Main Street. Because Dukes County sits on an island, anyone visiting the court in person needs to take a ferry or fly from the mainland. Online searches through MassCourts can save you that trip for basic case lookups.

Criminal Courts in Dukes County

Dukes County has two courts that handle criminal matters. The Dukes Superior Court takes serious felony cases. The Edgartown District Court handles misdemeanors and lower-level felonies. Both are at 81 Main Street in Edgartown. This is one of the smallest court systems in the state. Case volume is low, which often means faster processing times.

The Superior Court phone number is (508) 627-4661. The District Court has a separate line at (508) 627-8402. Both courts are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. However, Dukes County courts sometimes run on a limited schedule due to the island setting. It is a good idea to call ahead before making the trip, especially during winter months when ferry service may be reduced. You can also email dukes.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us with questions about court hours or specific cases.

The island location makes Dukes County unlike any other county in the state. The Steamship Authority runs ferries from Woods Hole on Cape Cod to Vineyard Haven. The ride takes about 45 minutes. You can also fly into Martha's Vineyard Airport from several mainland locations. Plan your visit around the ferry schedule if you need to appear in court or pick up records in person.

How to Search Dukes County Criminal Records

The MassCourts portal is the best starting point for searching Dukes County criminal court records online. It is free. Select the Dukes County court location and enter a case number to see docket details, hearing dates, and case outcomes. Criminal cases usually require the docket number. Name searches work better for civil matters.

Here is what the MassCourts search portal looks like when you begin a Dukes County criminal records lookup.

Because of the island location, online and mail searches are especially useful for Dukes County. Not everyone can hop on a ferry just to check a case number. If you need more than what the online system shows, call the clerk at (508) 627-4661. They can run a search and tell you what is available. Mail requests work too. Send your request to 81 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539 with a check for the copy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing, sometimes longer during the busy summer season.

The iCORI system provides statewide criminal background checks for $25. This pulls records from all Massachusetts counties, including Dukes. You need the person's name and date of birth. One free self-check is allowed each year.

Dukes County Law Enforcement and Prosecution

The Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office prosecutes all criminal cases in Dukes County. This DA's office covers Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties. Their main phone line is (617) 725-9200. Since the DA serves three counties across two islands and Cape Cod, the office has staff who travel to each location for court sessions.

The Dukes County Sheriff's Office below plays a role in law enforcement on Martha's Vineyard, handling corrections and court security duties on the island.

The Dukes County Sheriff's Office is at 9 Main Street in Edgartown. Call them at (508) 627-4334. The sheriff handles court security, prisoner transport, and the county jail. Individual towns on Martha's Vineyard have their own police departments too. Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah all have local police. Arrests by any of these departments feed into the court system at 81 Main Street.

The Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office website below provides information about criminal prosecution across all three counties they serve.

Summer months bring a spike in criminal cases. The population on Martha's Vineyard can triple during peak season. OUI charges, disorderly conduct, and property crimes tend to rise. These seasonal cases still go through the same courts and follow the same process as any other time of year.

Court Record Fees in Dukes County

Dukes County courts use the same fee schedule as every other county in Massachusetts. Plain copies cost $0.05 per page. Attested copies are $2.50 per page. Certificates of court orders run $20 each. A transcript of judgment is $50.

You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the courthouse. For mail requests, send a check or money order to the Clerk of Courts at 81 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539. If you are not sure of the exact amount, call ahead and the clerk can give you a total. Fee waivers are available if you qualify. File an Affidavit of Indigency with the court and a judge will review your request.

Note: During summer months, the clerk's office may be busier than usual due to increased court activity on the island.

What Dukes County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal court records from Dukes County follow the same format used across Massachusetts. The docket sheet lists the defendant's name, charges, hearing dates, motions filed, and the final disposition. Each charge includes a statutory reference. For instance, an OUI charge cites M.G.L. c. 90, Section 24. Assault charges reference Chapter 265. The docket tracks every step from arraignment to sentencing or dismissal.

Records also show bail information, attorney assignments, and any conditions of release. If the case went to trial, the verdict and sentence are recorded. Plea deals show up as well. All of this is part of the public record unless a judge has ordered it sealed. Under M.G.L. c. 276, Section 100A, convictions can be sealed after a set waiting period. Dismissed cases and acquittals can be sealed under Section 100C with no waiting period. Once sealed, the record drops out of public view.

Felony records in Superior Court are kept for 25 years or permanently, based on the sentence. District Court misdemeanor records are held for 10 years after final disposition. After that, they may be sent to the Massachusetts Archives for long-term storage.

Legal Help in Dukes County

Finding a criminal defense lawyer on Martha's Vineyard can take some effort. There are fewer attorneys on the island compared to mainland counties. The Massachusetts Bar Association referral line at (617) 654-0400 can help you find one who practices in Dukes County. The initial consultation costs $25 for 30 minutes.

The MassLegalHelp website has free guides on criminal records, sealing, and your rights after an arrest. Court forms are available at no charge from the Massachusetts Trial Court website. If you need help filling out forms for record sealing or expungement, the court clerk's office can point you in the right direction, though they cannot give legal advice.

Towns in Dukes County

Dukes County covers all of Martha's Vineyard plus the small Elizabeth Islands. The six main towns on Martha's Vineyard are Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah. The town of Gosnold covers the Elizabeth Islands. All criminal cases from every town go through the courts at 81 Main Street in Edgartown.

Nearby Counties

These counties are closest to Dukes County. Barnstable County covers Cape Cod, which is the nearest mainland area. Nantucket is another island county to the east.