Massachusetts Court Records

The Massachusetts court system handles a substantial volume of cases each year. With nearly one million case filings annually, the courts play a critical role in ensuring justice across the Commonwealth. These cases generate an extensive collection of court records, which document the proceedings and judgments of the courts.

To ensure justice at various levels, the court system is organized into three tiers. At the highest level, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) serves as the state's court of last resort, primarily reviewing appeals and overseeing the judicial system. The Appeals Court functions as an intermediary appellate court, handling a wide range of civil and criminal appeals from lower courts.

The Trial Court forms the foundation of the judicial system and consists of seven departments: the Superior Court, District Court, Boston Municipal Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court, Land Court, and Probate and Family Court. These departments collectively handle civil, criminal, family, housing, and land-related matters.

How Do I Search Massachusetts Court Records?

Massachusetts provides offline and online access to anyone looking to inspect or obtain copies of public court records. If you want to access public Massachusetts court records offline, you must visit the court where the record was filed or generated, in person.

The state provides a central online repository to search court dockets, calendars, and case information of its trial courts. To get started:

• Visit the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access website and complete the required search fields (court department, court division, court location, and number of results) on the search screen.
• Select your search option (name, case type, case number, ticket/citation number) and provide the required information.
• Click the search button.

Note that the state also provides online access to SJC and Appeals Court dockets, SJC briefs for pending and published cases, oral arguments, and new opinions.

How To Retrieve Court Records Offline

To obtain a certified copy of a Massachusetts court record, you must visit the specific court clerk's office where the record is maintained, as certified records are not available online. Be prepared to provide the case number, names of the parties involved, date of the case, and type of case (such as civil, criminal, probate, or family). A nominal fee applies for copying and certification. Alternatively, you may use the intranet portal available on the public terminal computers at any courthouse location or County Registry of Deeds site in the state to access court case information.

What Are the Types of Court Records In Massachusetts?

Court records in Massachusetts are generated during court proceedings, judicial rulings, and appeal processes. They include indexes, dockets, minutes, orders, testimonies, exhibits, affidavits, warrants, case files, and judgments. administrative documents

Examples of Massachusetts court records include:

• Supreme Judicial Court Records: Records maintained by the Massachusetts SJC include:
• Opinions and Decisions: Published opinions on cases heard by the SJC, which set legal precedents.
• Docket Sheets: Summaries of case filings, including parties, case numbers, and key dates.
• Briefs and Oral Arguments: Legal briefs submitted by parties and transcripts or recordings of oral arguments.
• Administrative Orders: Orders related to court operations, rules, and procedures.
• Historical Records: Archives of significant cases and historical documents.
• Appeal Court Records: These include:
• Appellate Decisions: Written opinions and rulings on appealed cases.
• Case Dockets: Information on case filings, including case numbers, parties, and status.
• Briefs and Appendices: Legal documents submitted by appellants and appellees.
• Oral Argument Recordings: Audio recordings of oral arguments, if available.
• Motions and Orders: Filings related to procedural matters during the appeal process.
• Superior Court Records: Examples include:
• Civil Case Files: Lawsuits involving contracts, personal injury, and property disputes.
• Criminal Case Files: Felonies, serious misdemeanors, and indictments.
• Jury Verdicts: Records of jury decisions in trials.
• Motions and Orders: Filings related to case management and procedural matters.
• Transcripts: Official records of court proceedings, including trials and hearings.
• District Court Records: Massachusetts district courts handle misdemeanors, small claims, and civil cases under a certain monetary threshold. Records include:
• Criminal Case Files: Misdemeanors, restraining orders, and arraignments.
• Civil Case Files: Small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and other minor civil matters.
• Restraining Orders: Temporary and permanent abuse prevention orders.
• Traffic Violations: Records of traffic-related offenses.
• Probation Records: Information on probationary sentences and compliance.
• Boston Municipal Court (BMC) Records: The BMC handles cases within the city of Boston. BMC records include:
• Criminal Cases: Misdemeanors, arraignments, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
• Civil Cases: Small claims and other minor civil matters.
• Restraining Orders: Abuse prevention orders and harassment prevention orders.
• Traffic Violations: Records of traffic offenses within Boston.
• Drug Court Records: Cases related to drug offenses and diversion programs.
• Housing Court Records: The housing court specializes in housing-related disputes. Examples of the records maintained by this include:
• Eviction Cases: Summary process (eviction) filings and outcomes.
• Code Violations: Cases involving housing code enforcement.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes: Disputes over rent, repairs, and leases.
• Small Claims: Housing-related small claims cases.
• Injunctions and Orders: Court orders related to housing conditions or disputes.
• Juvenile Court Records: Juvenile courts in Massachusetts handle cases involving minors. Records held by the court include:
• Delinquency Cases: Criminal offenses committed by juveniles.
• Care and Protection Cases: Cases involving child abuse or neglect.
• Child Requiring Services (CHINS): Cases involving truancy or runaway minors.
• Adoption and Guardianship: Records related to guardianship or adoption proceedings.
• Sealed Records: Many juvenile records are confidential or sealed to protect the minor's privacy.
• Family and Probate Court Records: This court handles family-related and probate matters. The court's records include:
• Divorce and Separation: Filings related to divorce, alimony, and child support.
• Child Custody and Visitation: Orders and agreements related to custody.
• Paternity Cases: Determinations of parental rights and responsibilities.
• Probate Matters: Wills, estates, trusts, and guardianships.
• Adoption Records: Confidential records related to adoptions.
• Land Court Records: The Land Court deals with disputes involving real property. Examples of its records include:
• Land Registration: Applications and decisions on land title registration.
• Zoning and Planning: Cases involving zoning disputes or land use.
• Foreclosures: Petitions for foreclosure and related orders.
• Easements and Boundaries: Disputes over property lines or rights of way.
• Tax Liens: Cases involving tax liens on properties.

Note that each court in the state has a clerk who is tasked with maintaining its records. Bankruptcy cases in Massachusetts are filed at the United States District Court in Boston, Springfield, or Worcester.

Are Massachusetts Court Records Public?

Typically, most court records in Massachusetts are public. This provision is under the Massachusetts Public Records Law. The statutes codified under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10 ensure that government records are accessible to the public to promote accountability and transparency.

However, certain types of information are exempt from disclosure under the state's public record law. These include sealed records, confidential records, and FOIA exemptions such as:

• Personal Identifying Information: Details like Social Security numbers, home addresses, and personal phone numbers.
• Grand Jury Minutes and Related Materials
• Medical, Health, and Hospital Records
• Attorney Work Product and Materials Protected by Attorney-Client Privilege
• Juvenile Delinquency Cases: Records involving minors.
• Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
• Reports of Rape, Sexual Assault, or Domestic Violence

Massachusetts courts may seal entire court records or specific portions to protect sensitive information and individuals' privacy. Common reasons include protecting minors in juvenile or custody cases, protecting crime victims in domestic violence or sexual assault cases, ensuring national security or public safety, and preventing interference in ongoing investigations.

Can I Seal or Expunge a Massachusetts Court Record?

Expunging a court record refers to the permanent destruction or erasure of the record so that it is no longer accessible or maintained by the court or any agency while sealing only limits who may access a court record. The State of Massachusetts offers two types of expungements:

• Time-based expungement: The record must be related to an offense that meets all of the criteria outlined in G.L. c.276, § 100E-100U.
• Non-time-based expungement: You may expunge a court record if the record is related to:
• Theft of your identity
• Fraud perpetrated upon the court
• Errors by civilian or expert witnesses
• Unauthorized use of your identity
• False use of your identification
• Errors by court employees
• Errors by law enforcement
• An offense that is no longer a crime, such as possessing small amounts of marijuana

Note that after your records are expunged, you cannot be found guilty of perjury by not acknowledging the expunged record if required by anyone. Conversely, once your criminal record has been sealed, state officials will respond to any public inquiries by indicating that no conviction is present on your record.

The sealing process in Massachusetts is governed by the provisions of MGL c. 276, § 100A. You may be granted sealing privilege for a misdemeanor three years after being found guilty or after any prison or jail time, whichever date is later. Sealing may also be granted for a felony seven years after being found guilty or after any prison or jail time, whichever is later. In addition, the state allows you to move a motion to seal a conviction for resisting arrest or charges with a nolle prosequi or dismissal.

Whether filing for sealing or expungement in Massachusetts, the process generally follows these steps:

• File a Petition to Seal Conviction Records, Petition to Seal Criminal Records for Nolle Prosequi or Dismissal, or Petition to Expunge Form with the appropriate court or agency. Other forms may be required as available on the Massachusetts courts website.
• Provide supporting documentation or evidence supporting eligibility, such as proof of case disposition, proof of identification, and proof of wrongful conviction.
• Attend a hearing if required by the court.
• If approved, the court will issue an order to seal or expunge the records.

Note the state does not mandate a filing fee to request the sealing or expungement of your record.

How To Search Federal Court Records in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has one federal court, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, with three divisions: Boston (Eastern Division), Worcester (Central Division), and Springfield (Western Division). It handles federal laws, bankruptcy, intellectual property disputes, cases involving the U.S. government, and maritime law. Federal case information is accessible online through the PACER system, which requires an account for searches. Alternatively, federal court records in Massachusetts may also be accessed offline in person at the clerk's office in any of the three divisions. Visit any of the locations:

• Boston: John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way, Boston, MA 02210.
• Springfield: Federal Courthouse, 300 State Street, Springfield, MA 01105.
• Worcester: Federal Courthouse, 595 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.

How To Get Massachusetts Court Records Online for Free?

While you may access Massachusetts court records online for free through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access system and the websites of the SJC and Appeals Court, they are also accessible through third-party websites. Third-party databases such as MassachusettsPeopleRecords.us provide free online scans for Massachusetts court records.