Search Suffolk County Criminal Court Records

Suffolk County criminal court records cover cases filed in Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. The county has more courts than any other in Massachusetts, including the Suffolk Superior Court, Boston Municipal Court, and six district courts spread across the county. You can search criminal case dockets online through MassCourts or visit a clerk's office in person. Suffolk County handles a large share of the state's criminal caseload due to its dense urban population. Records include charges, arraignments, dispositions, and sentencing details for both felony and misdemeanor cases filed in any Suffolk County court.

Suffolk Superior Court Criminal Records

Suffolk Superior Court sits at 3 Pemberton Square in downtown Boston. This court handles all felony cases in the county. Serious crimes like armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, drug trafficking, and murder cases all go through this court. The clerk's office keeps all case files and docket sheets.

You can reach the clerk at (617) 788-8160. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in requests for criminal case records are taken at the clerk's window. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can also search by name for you, though the process takes more time that way. Non-certified copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies run $2.50 per page. If you need a certificate for a case, the fee is $20.00 each.

Parking near the courthouse is tight. Street spots fill up fast. There are paid garages close by. The MBTA Red Line to Park Street or the Green Line to Government Center will get you within a short walk of the building.

Boston Municipal Court Criminal Cases

Boston Municipal Court is unique in Massachusetts. It is the only municipal court in the state. The BMC has its own jurisdiction over criminal cases in the city of Boston. It handles misdemeanors and some felonies that do not go to Superior Court. This makes Suffolk County different from every other county in terms of how criminal cases are split up.

The BMC central office is at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston. Call (617) 494-4100 for case inquiries. The court is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Criminal records from BMC cases show up on MassCourts just like other court records. You can search them online if you have the docket number. For in-person requests, go to the clerk's office at New Chardon Street. The BMC also runs several divisions across Boston neighborhoods, but the central division handles most record requests.

The BMC sees a high volume of cases each year. Its criminal docket includes OUI charges, drug possession, assault and battery, shoplifting, and other charges that fall under district court jurisdiction. Because Boston is by far the largest city in the county, a big portion of Suffolk County criminal court records come through the BMC system.

Suffolk County District Courts

Suffolk County has six district courts in addition to the BMC and Superior Court. Each one covers a specific part of the county. If you are looking for a criminal case record and you don't know which court handled it, start with MassCourts online. You can filter by court location there.

Chelsea District Court is at 120 Broadway in Chelsea. It covers Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Call (617) 660-9200. Dorchester District Court sits at 510 Washington Street and handles cases from Dorchester. The phone number is (617) 288-9500. East Boston District Court is at 37 Meridian Street with a phone of (617) 569-7550. Roxbury District Court operates at 85 Warren Street and can be reached at (617) 427-7400. South Boston District Court is at 535 East Broadway, phone (617) 268-9292. West Roxbury District Court is at 445 Arborway, phone (617) 971-1200.

All six courts follow the same hours. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Each court has a clerk's office where you can request copies of criminal case files. The same fee schedule applies at every location in Suffolk County.

Note: Chelsea District Court handles criminal cases for Revere and Winthrop residents in addition to Chelsea.

How to Search Suffolk County Criminal Records Online

The MassCourts portal is the best way to find Suffolk County criminal court records without leaving your home. It is free. The system covers all courts in the county, including Superior Court, BMC, and every district court. You can pull up docket sheets that show charges, court dates, and case outcomes.

The screenshot below shows the MassCourts portal used to search Suffolk County criminal court records.

This portal lets you search by case number across all Suffolk County courts.

There is one thing to know. Most criminal cases on MassCourts can only be found by docket number. Name searches work for civil cases but are limited for criminal ones. If you have the case number, type it in with the right format. Superior Court criminal numbers look like 1681CR02072. District Court numbers look like 1153CR000005. Get the spacing and leading zeros right or the search will fail.

For a broader criminal history check, you can use the iCORI system run by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. A public CORI request costs $25. You get one free self-check each year. The iCORI system pulls records from across the state, not just Suffolk County. It covers arrests, charges, and dispositions tied to a person's name and date of birth.

Suffolk County District Attorney Records

The Suffolk County District Attorney's office prosecutes criminal cases in the county. Their office is at 1 Bulfinch Place in Boston. The main phone line is (617) 619-4000. You can visit the Suffolk District Attorney website for general information about the office and its programs.

The DA's office has its own records access process. You can submit public records requests by email to public.records@suffolkdistrictattorney.com. These requests fall under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. The office must respond within 10 business days. Keep in mind that some records tied to open or pending cases may not be available. Sealed records and juvenile cases are also off limits through this process.

The screenshot below shows the Suffolk County District Attorney's website, a resource for criminal court records in Suffolk County.

The DA's site also has information about victim services and community programs run by the office.

Suffolk County Sheriff's Department

The Suffolk County Sheriff's Department runs the county jail at 200 Nashua Street in Boston. Call (617) 635-1000 for general inquiries. The Suffolk County Sheriff's website has details on inmate services, programs, and facility information.

While the sheriff's department does not handle criminal court records directly, it plays a role in the criminal justice process. The department manages pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. It also handles court security and prisoner transport for Suffolk County courts. If you need to find out whether someone is currently held at the Suffolk County House of Correction, the sheriff's office can help with that.

Below is a screenshot of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department website.

The sheriff's site includes information on visitation hours and inmate lookup tools.

Criminal Record Fees in Suffolk County

Fees for criminal court records in Suffolk County follow the statewide schedule set by the Massachusetts Trial Court. The costs are the same at every court in the county, whether you go to Superior Court, the BMC, or a district court.

Here is what you will pay for Suffolk County criminal court records:

• Non-certified copies: $0.05 per page
• Certified copies: $2.50 per page
• Certificates: $20.00 each
• CORI background check (iCORI): $25.00
• Self CORI check: free once per year

You can pay at the clerk's window with cash or a check at most courts. Some courts now accept credit cards too. If you mail a request, include a check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The clerk will not process your request until payment clears. For large requests with many pages, call ahead to get an estimate on the total cost so you know what to send.

Note: Fee waivers may be available for indigent individuals through an Affidavit of Indigency filed with the court.

Legal Help in Suffolk County

If you need help with a criminal case or records request in Suffolk County, several groups can assist. Greater Boston Legal Services offers free legal aid to low-income residents. They handle criminal record sealing, expungement, and other matters. Call (617) 371-1234 to ask about services.

The Massachusetts Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (617) 654-0400. The first meeting costs $25 for 30 minutes. This can help you find a criminal defense attorney or a lawyer who handles record sealing cases. The MassLegalHelp website has free guides on criminal records, sealing, and expungement in Massachusetts. You can also find court forms and step-by-step instructions for self-represented people on the mass.gov criminal records page.

Under M.G.L. c. 276, Section 100A, you may be able to seal certain criminal records after a waiting period. Misdemeanors can be sealed 3 years after disposition. Felonies require a 7-year wait. The process starts with a petition filed at the court where the case was heard.

Cities in Suffolk County

Suffolk County has four municipalities. Criminal cases from each one go through the county court system. Boston and Revere have their own city pages with more details on local criminal court records.

Chelsea and Winthrop are also in Suffolk County. Their criminal cases go through Chelsea District Court and Suffolk Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Suffolk County. If you need criminal court records from a neighboring area, check the county where the case was filed. Jurisdiction depends on where the crime took place.