Hampden County Criminal Records Lookup

Hampden County criminal court records are housed at the Superior Court and five district courts, all centered around Springfield in western Massachusetts. Roughly 470,000 people live in Hampden County. Springfield is the county seat and the largest city in the region. Both the Superior Court and the Springfield District Court share the same building at 50 State Street. Criminal cases in Hampden County cover everything from misdemeanors handled at the district level to felonies tried in Superior Court. You can search court records online through MassCourts, request copies from a clerk, or use the District Attorney's records portal for certain case information. This page explains all the ways to find Hampden County criminal court records.

Hampden County Superior Court

Hampden Superior Court is at 50 State Street in Springfield. This is the main courthouse for all serious criminal cases in Hampden County. The building also houses the Springfield District Court, which makes it one of the busiest court locations in western Massachusetts. Superior Court handles felony cases that have been indicted by the grand jury. Murder, armed robbery, major drug offenses, and other high-level crimes are tried here.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk in and ask at the clerk's window for records. Call (413) 731-7112 if you want to check on a case before visiting. The clerk can search by case number or by name, though criminal name searches have limits. Bring your photo ID when requesting copies. Staff can make plain copies at $0.05 per page or certified copies at $2.50 per page.

You can email the clerk at hampden.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us for questions about records. Mail-in requests are accepted too. Send a written request with the case number or party name, a copy of your ID, and a check made out to the Clerk of Courts. Expect two to three weeks for processing.

Hampden County District Courts

Five district courts serve Hampden County. Each one handles criminal arraignments, misdemeanors, and lower-level felonies for its part of the county. Most criminal cases in Hampden County start at the district court level. Cases only move up to Superior Court if the charges are serious enough for a grand jury indictment.

Springfield District Court is at 50 State Street, the same building as the Superior Court. The phone number is (413) 748-8600. This is the largest and busiest district court in Hampden County. It handles a huge volume of criminal cases from Springfield and surrounding communities. Chicopee District Court covers the Chicopee area at 30 Church Street. Call (413) 594-1200 to reach them.

Holyoke District Court is at 20 Court Street in Holyoke. Call (413) 538-8220 for case information. Westfield District Court sits at 224 Elm Street, and the phone number is (413) 572-6000. Palmer District Court covers the eastern part of Hampden County at 235 Sykes Street, reachable at (413) 283-6500.

All five courts keep their own case files. Each clerk can pull records for cases heard at that location. Hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday at every location. Fees are the same across all courts. If you are not sure which court handled a specific case, the MassCourts portal can help you narrow it down.

Search Hampden County Criminal Records Online

The MassCourts portal is the primary tool for searching Hampden County criminal court records online. It covers both Superior Court and all five district courts. The system is free. You select the court location and enter a case number to pull up the full docket sheet.

The main screenshot below shows the MassCourts interface used for searching Hampden County criminal court records. Choose Hampden County from the court location list to begin.

Docket results show the charges, all hearing dates, motions that were filed, and the final disposition. The case number format for Hampden Superior Court criminal cases looks like 1681CR02072. District court cases use a longer format. You need the exact number, including leading zeros and proper capitalization.

Criminal cases are mostly searchable by docket number only. Name-based searching works for civil cases but is restricted for criminal ones. If you only have a name and no case number, go to the clerk's office in person. The clerk has tools that can do a broader lookup than what MassCourts offers online.

Note: The MassCourts system also covers family, probate, and housing court cases, but criminal records are the focus for Hampden County searches on this page.

Hampden County District Attorney Records

The Hampden County District Attorney has an online records request portal. This is unique among Massachusetts counties. You can submit public records requests through hampden.ma.govqa.us. The portal lets you ask for specific documents related to criminal cases the DA's office handled.

The DA's main office is at 50 State Street in Springfield, the same building as the courts. Call (413) 747-1000 for general questions. Their website at hampdenda.com has news on criminal cases and office programs. The screenshot below shows the Hampden County District Attorney's website.

The DA prosecutes all criminal cases in Hampden County. They handle grand jury proceedings that send felony cases to Superior Court. The DA's records portal is best for requesting documents the DA's office holds, such as case files, victim impact statements, and prosecution records. For the actual court docket and filings, the court clerk's office is still where you go.

Hampden County Sheriff's Department

The Hampden County Sheriff's Department is at 627 Randall Road in Ludlow. Call (413) 547-8000. The sheriff runs the county jail and correctional center. If you need to find out whether someone is in custody in Hampden County, this is who to contact.

The sheriff does not keep court records. Those belong to the court clerks. Arrest records and booking information are separate from the court file. For warrant checks, contact the court that issued the warrant or your local police department. The sheriff's office also transports inmates to court dates and serves legal papers in criminal cases across Hampden County.

Criminal Background Checks in Hampden County

CORI is the state system for criminal background checks. It stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. A public CORI check costs $25 through the iCORI portal. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. The report covers all of Massachusetts, not just Hampden County. It lists convictions and pending cases.

Everyone gets one free self-check each year. Your own CORI report shows everything, including sealed records. A public check done by someone else will not show sealed records. Employers who register with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services can access more detailed reports for hiring purposes. Under M.G.L. c. 6, § 172, employers must follow strict rules when using CORI information in hiring decisions.

Sealing Hampden County Criminal Records

You can petition to seal criminal records in Hampden County. The rules come from state law. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100A, misdemeanor convictions can be sealed three years after the case ends. Felony convictions need a seven-year wait. You file the petition at the court where the case was tried.

Cases that ended in dismissal or a not guilty verdict can be sealed immediately under M.G.L. c. 276, § 100C. The Commissioner of Probation processes these requests. Once a record is sealed, it disappears from public view on MassCourts and at the clerk's office. Law enforcement can still access it, but employers and the general public cannot.

Expungement is a separate process that destroys the record entirely. It only applies in narrow circumstances, such as identity theft cases or certain offenses committed before age 21. The rules for expungement are in M.G.L. c. 276, § 100E through 100U. An attorney can help determine if a Hampden County criminal record qualifies for sealing or expungement.

Hampden County Court Fees

All Hampden County courts use the statewide fee schedule. Copy fees are straightforward. Plain copies run $0.05 per page. Certified copies cost $2.50 per page. Certificates of court orders cost $20 each. Transcripts are $3.00 to $5.00 per page.

Courts accept cash, checks, and credit cards. If you cannot pay, file an Affidavit of Indigency to request a waiver. The judge reviews your finances and decides if you qualify. CORI background checks cost $25 online through iCORI. Staff-assisted searches at the clerk's office may cost between $5 and $20.

Note: Fees are the same whether you go to the Superior Court or any of the five district courts in Hampden County.

Legal Help in Hampden County

The Committee for Public Counsel Services provides public defenders to people who cannot afford a lawyer. You request one at your arraignment. The judge decides eligibility based on income.

Western Massachusetts Legal Services has offices in the Springfield area and offers help to low-income residents. The Massachusetts Bar Association lawyer referral line is (617) 654-0400. You get a 30-minute meeting for $25. The website masslegalhelp.org has step-by-step guides for people dealing with criminal records in Hampden County, including how to file a petition to seal a record. Official court forms are free at mass.gov/courts.

Cities in Hampden County

Hampden County has two cities with their own criminal court record pages. Click below for local court details and resources specific to each city.

Other communities in Hampden County include Holyoke, Westfield, West Springfield, and Palmer. Criminal cases from these areas go to the local district court or Hampden Superior Court for serious felonies.

Nearby Counties

Hampden County borders three other counties. Criminal jurisdiction depends on where the offense took place. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, you need to search that county's court system.