Barnstable County Arrest Records

In Barnstable County, citizens or residents can be arrested if found disturbing the peace or suspected of committing a public offense.

Police officers can execute arrests with or without a warrant. Officers can arrest an individual without a warrant if they witness a crime or have reason to believe that a person has committed a felony or misdemeanor.

Once apprehended, offenders are typically processed at the police station or jail and either released on bail or brought before a judge. The booking process officially documents the arrest.

Arrest records are significant because they document instances of suspected criminal behavior and serve as essential references during an accused individual's legal proceedings. These records are usually maintained by the agency that made the arrest, such as the Office of the Sheriff. However, arrest information may also be accessed as part of the Massachusetts criminal history records and Barnstable County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Barnstable County?

Yes. Under Massachusetts Public Records Law, records created or received by any government agency or entity are generally considered public unless specified otherwise through legal exemptions, which may entail partial or complete withholding of information.

Generally, individuals can request to view arrest records or obtain personal copies by paying applicable charges. Under the law, a records custodian must provide requested documents within 10 business days of receiving a request.

However, certain categories of records are considered exempt from public access, such as:

• Records related to ongoing investigations
• Personal identifying information, such as social security numbers
• Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency
• Criminal Offender Record Information ("CORI")

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record in Barnstable may contain the following information:

• Name, date of birth, photograph, and last known address of the arrested individual
• Specifics about the criminal charges
• Date and place of the arrest, along with the identity of the arresting officer
• Physical characteristics of the apprehended person, including height and weight
• Bond information

Barnstable County Crime Rate

According to crime statistics published by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), 6,846 crimes were reported in Barnstable County in 2023, a 0.71% increase from the previous year (which had 6,798 crime incidents).

Of the 2023 total, the county saw 2,453 crimes against person offenses, with assaults having the highest occurrences (2,086 incidents) and a clearance rate of 60.16%. There were also 3,843 crimes against property and 505 crimes against society recorded that year. Larceny (1,364 offenses) was the most recurring property crime, with a 14.96 clearance rate. Meanwhile, drug/narcotic violations were the most frequent crimes against society, with 378 offenses and a 66.67% clearance rate.

Barnstable County Arrest Statistics

In 2023, 4,383 arrests were made in Barnstable County, 93.8% of those being adults and 6.2% juveniles. Among the arrestees, approximately 61.1% (2,679) were apprehended for Group B offenses, 23.4% (1,024) for offenses against persons, 9.7% (425) for crimes against property, and 5.8% (255) for crimes against society.

Among offenses reported in the Barnstable crimes against persons category, assaults (955) led to the most arrests in 2023. Similarly, larceny had a higher arrest count within the crimes against property category in 2023, with 182 arrests, and drug offenses resulted in more arrests within the crimes against society category, with 193 arrests in 2023.

Find Barnstable County Arrest Records

Barnstable County residents can obtain arrest records from the records access division of a local police department or the Sheriff's office. Requests can be made by mail, in person, via fax, or by email and should include the arrestee's name/date of birth, the incident date, and any other information that can facilitate prompt record retrieval. It should be noted that a fee may apply to process a search or obtain copies.

For example, people can obtain arrest records by submitting a public records request to the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office Records Access Office at 6000 Sheriff's Place, Bourne, Massachusetts 02532. The office can also be faxed at (508) 563-4511.

Note: Those seeking information about persons arrested in Barnstable but transferred to a state or federal prison can access resources provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction and Federal Bureau of Prisons, respectively.

Free Arrest Record Search in Barnstable County

A Barnstable arrest record may be available at no cost via a public records request to a local police agency, provided the requester only wishes to inspect a record. Agencies may charge fees to produce copies.

Furthermore, citizens can utilize various third-party websites to conduct a free search for arrest records. Users can typically access arrest information by providing a person's first and last name. However, while third-party sites may offer a wealth of arrest data, individuals generally are advised to refrain from using any sourced information as the sole basis for assessing someone's eligibility for housing, employment, education, credit, firearm permits, or insurance.

Get Barnstable County Criminal Records

In Barnstable County, a criminal record is formally known as Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). It encompasses details about the arrests, charges, pre-trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentences for a particular criminal case.

The State Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) offers an online iCORI database, allowing anyone to perform name-based checks for criminal records in Massachusetts, including in Barnstable County. However, access to criminal record information is restricted to subscribers who have furnished their social security number, valid ID card, and driver's license details. Searches performed through iCORI

Additionally, the DCJIS's Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services (SAFIS) facilitates fingerprint-based record searches, a preferred method for authorized non-criminal justice agencies looking to uncover criminal offenses committed in Massachusetts and other states. Each applicant (subject of record) must provide fingerprints corresponding to those on file at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) or FBI.

Individuals can also submit public requests to the criminal courts in Barnstable, Massachusetts, to obtain records from criminal court proceedings, which form the bulk of criminal data maintained on file at the DCJIS.

Barnstable County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record in Barnstable County does not serve as evidence of a person's guilt, as it does not include the court's decision about a case. The record only highlights the facts and circumstances of a person's arrest.

On the other hand, a criminal record covers the entire criminal justice process, from the time a person was arrested and fingerprinted to the court's sentence.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An arrest record in Barnstable County is typically permanent unless the record is sealed or expunged. However, not everyone can obtain this relief from a Barnstable court.

Expunge Barnstable County Arrest Records

Expunging an arrest record is not the same as sealing the record under Massachusetts law. While an expunged record is destroyed and, hence, not accessible to members of the public, law enforcement, or the judiciary, a sealed record remains inaccessible to the public but is not destroyed and can be accessed by authorized persons.

In the case of an expungement, one can either apply for a time-based or non-time-based expungement. A time-based expungement only applies to offenses outlined in MGL c.276, § 100E-100U, where the offender has met the minimum time requirement. Meanwhile, the requirement for a non-time-based expungement is outlined in MGL c. 276, § 100. Those who qualify for an expungement can fill out and submit the petition to expunge at the courthouse where the case was handled, including any supporting documentation. If the expungement is granted, the arrest record will be destroyed. This process is free. However, where an arrest led to a conviction, the offender cannot apply for an expunction.

On the other hand, the process for sealing a criminal record, including records of arrests, is governed by MGL c. 276, § 100A. One can generally apply for their record to be sealed if the offense was a misdemeanor or a felony that was not severe. A person can also petition the court to seal charges related to a nolle prosequi or dismissal. Petitioners must complete the petition to seal the conviction records form provided online.

The application for an expunction or sealing of a record can be submitted in person or via mail to the court having jurisdiction over the case.

Barnstable County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a directive issued by a presiding judge to law enforcement authorizing the apprehension of an individual suspected of a crime. Such a warrant may also be issued when someone neglects to appear for their scheduled court hearing or violates a court order.

Under Massachusetts law, "probable cause" is the primary requirement for the release of an arrest warrant in Barnstable. This means that a requesting law enforcement officer must present an affidavit before a judge or magistrate that sufficiently demonstrates that the prospective subject of the warrant should be held liable for a crime.

Key components of a Barnstable County arrest warrant include:

• A description of the charges
• The name and last known address of the suspect
• The issuing court
• Instructions for executing the warrant
• The law enforcement office responsible for executing the warrant

Barnstable County Arrest Warrant Search

Generally, members of the public can obtain information about a Barnstable County arrest warrant at the courthouse where it was issued or through a police department.

Interested parties can visit any of these locations during official business hours or call an office's designated line to retrieve warrant information. The search may require basic details like the name of the individual listed on the warrant and the date of issuance.

Do Barnstable County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Barnstable County arrest warrants do not expire. Generally, an arrest warrant is only deemed executed when the subject is apprehended and placed in police custody. A court can also revoke a warrant if a good reason is found. In other words, Barnstable arrest warrants retain their validity both within and outside the jurisdiction of Barnstable County.