Hampshire County Criminal Court Records
Hampshire County criminal court records are managed at the courthouse complex in Northampton, the county seat. The Superior Court and Northampton District Court both operate out of 15 Gothic Street. This makes Hampshire County one of the more compact court systems in the state, since both courts share the same building. Criminal cases from all 20 towns in the county flow through these courts. You can search records online through the state portal or go to the clerk's office in Northampton. Whether you need a docket sheet, case status update, or copies of filings, the court staff can help you find what you are looking for.
Hampshire County Overview
Hampshire Superior Court
Hampshire Superior Court sits at 15 Gothic Street in Northampton. It handles all felony criminal cases in the county. Call (413) 584-2300 to reach the clerk's office. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Felony charges that start in the district court move here after a grand jury indictment.
The clerk's office keeps all criminal case files for Superior Court matters. You can ask staff to look up a case by name or by docket number. They can check case status, pull documents, and make copies for you. If you want copies mailed to you, send a written request with the case details and a check for the fees. Processing takes two to three weeks by mail. In person, you can often get copies the same day if the file is available.
Hampshire County sees fewer felony cases than the larger counties in eastern Massachusetts. But the court still handles a full range of serious criminal matters. Drug trafficking charges, burglary, robbery, and other high-level offenses all go through this court. The Hampshire Superior Court page has more info on court operations and how to reach specific departments.
| Court | Hampshire Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 15 Gothic Street Northampton, MA 01060 |
| Phone | (413) 584-2300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| hampshire.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us |
Hampshire County District Courts
Northampton District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases for Hampshire County. It is in the same building as the Superior Court at 15 Gothic Street. Call (413) 584-7400 to reach the district court clerk. This court takes on cases like OUI, simple assault, disorderly conduct, and other charges that carry up to two and a half years in a house of correction.
Greenfield District Court also serves parts of Hampshire County. It is at 425 Main Street in Greenfield. The phone number is (413) 774-7019. While Greenfield is technically in Franklin County, this court covers some Hampshire County towns as well. If you are not sure which district court handled a case, call either clerk's office and they can point you in the right direction.
District courts also handle arraignments for felony cases. When someone gets arrested on a felony charge, the first court appearance happens at the district level. The case then gets bound over to Superior Court if a grand jury returns an indictment. Both district court locations keep their own criminal records. You need to contact the right court to get copies of a specific case file.
| Northampton District Court | 15 Gothic Street, Northampton, MA 01060 | (413) 584-7400 |
|---|---|
| Greenfield District Court | 425 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 | (413) 774-7019 |
Search Hampshire County Criminal Records Online
The MassCourts portal lets you search Hampshire County criminal court records for free. Go to masscourts.org, pass the CAPTCHA, and click to search public records. Select the court department, pick criminal, and choose the Hampshire County location you want to search.
The MassCourts portal provides free access to Hampshire County criminal court records and case docket information.
Use this portal to look up case numbers, check docket entries, and find case status info for Hampshire County courts.
Keep in mind that most criminal cases on MassCourts need a docket number to search. Name searches are limited for criminal matters. If you have the case number, enter it with the correct format. Superior Court criminal cases use a pattern like 1681CR02072. The numbers and spacing have to be exact or the system won't find it. If you only have a name, your best bet is to visit or call the clerk's office in Northampton.
Hampshire County District Attorney
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal cases in Hampshire County. The office is at One Gleason Plaza in Northampton. Call (413) 586-4800 for general info. This DA's office also covers Franklin County, so it handles cases from a wide geographic area in western Massachusetts.
The Northampton city website provides local government information for the Hampshire County seat, where the DA's office and courts are based.
Northampton serves as the hub for Hampshire County's criminal justice system, with the DA, courts, and sheriff all based in the city.
The DA's office has a victim witness assistance program. If you are a victim of a crime in Hampshire County, staff can update you on case progress and explain what is happening at each stage. They also have programs focused on drug diversion and restorative justice for certain types of offenses. Prosecutors from this office appear in both the Superior Court and district courts across the county.
Hampshire County Background Checks
The state CORI system covers all Hampshire County criminal records. CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services runs it. You can use the iCORI portal to check criminal history for a person with their name and date of birth. The fee is $25 per search.
Each person can get one free self-check per year. After that, self-checks cost $25. The public CORI report shows conviction records that have not been sealed. It pulls data from courts statewide, so Hampshire County cases show up along with any other Massachusetts convictions. Employers and landlords can register with DCJIS to get more detailed reports for screening purposes.
Under Massachusetts law, certain records can be sealed. Misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after three years. Felony convictions become eligible for sealing after seven years, as outlined in M.G.L. c. 276, Section 100A. Sealed records won't show up in CORI checks or public court searches in Hampshire County or anywhere else in the state.
Hampshire County Sheriff's Office
The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office is at 160 Elm Street in Northampton. Call (413) 584-5911 for general info. The Hampshire County Sheriff's website has details on programs and services. The sheriff's office runs the county correctional facility, serves court papers, and transports prisoners to court appearances.
If you need to know whether someone is currently in custody in Hampshire County, contact the sheriff's office. They can confirm if a person is being held and provide basic booking information. The office also handles civil process service and warrant execution for criminal cases across the county.
Hampshire County Criminal Court Fees
Hampshire County courts follow the same fee schedule as all Massachusetts trial courts. Non-certified copies cost $0.05 per page. Attested copies run $2.50 per page. Certificates of court orders cost $20 each. A transcript of judgment is $50. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card at the courthouse in Northampton.
For mail requests, include a check or money order with your written request. List the case name or number and the documents you need. Allow two to three weeks for processing. If you can't afford the fees, file an Affidavit of Indigency with the clerk. The court will review your finances and decide if you qualify for a waiver.
Towns in Hampshire County
Hampshire County has 20 towns. None of them are large enough to qualify as major cities. All criminal cases from these towns go through the Hampshire County court system. Most cases land at the Northampton District Court for misdemeanors or Hampshire Superior Court for felonies. Some towns in the eastern part of the county may have cases handled through the Greenfield District Court.
Towns include Northampton, Amherst, Easthampton, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, South Hadley, Williamsburg, Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granby, Middlefield, Pelham, Plainfield, Southampton, Ware, Westhampton, and Worthington. Each has its own police department that files complaints with the appropriate court.
Nearby Counties
Hampshire County is in western Massachusetts. It borders four other counties. Make sure you know which county a crime occurred in before searching for records. Cases are filed in the county where the offense took place.