Berkshire County Arrest Records

In Berkshire County, Massachusetts, individuals may be arrested if they are suspected of engaging in criminal activity or disturbing public order. Law enforcement officers can arrest people with or without a warrant. A warrantless arrest is allowed when an officer directly observes a crime or has a reasonable belief that a person has committed a felony or certain misdemeanors.

Once arrested, individuals are processed at a police station or detention facility. During this booking process, their personal information and details of the alleged crime are recorded and compiled into an arrest record. After booking, the individual may be held or released on bail pending a court appearance.

Typically, Berkshire County arrest records are managed by the arresting agency and other local law enforcement agencies within the same jurisdiction. However, when they are relevant to judicial proceedings, arrest information may be featured in Berkshire County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Berkshire County?

Arrest records in Berkshire County are part of Massachusetts public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (MGL c. 66, § 10). These records are generally available to the public unless specific exemptions apply, such as for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or other sensitive information. Arrest records are typically maintained by the arresting agency, such as the local police department or Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office, and can also be found in court records or through the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records in Berkshire County may include the following details:

• Name, date of birth, and last known address of the arrestee
• Charges filed against the individual
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Name of the arresting officer and department
• Bail or bond conditions, if applicable

Berkshire County Crime Rate

The Bureau of Justice Statistics aggregates reports from various law enforcement agencies across Berkshire County, including the Berkshire State Police and its North Hampton and Weston divisions. According to the 2023 report, the Berkshire State Police Reported a crime rate of 1,724.92 per 100,000 in its 8,812 population. This represented a 74.71% increase in reported crimes compared to the previous year.

Berkshire County Arrest Statistics

In 2023, Berkshire County Police reported a 65.79% crime clearance rate with an arrest rate of 2258.28 per 100,000 residents. This also suggests an 87.74% increase in arrests compared to 2022.

Find Berkshire County Arrest Records

Interested members of the public may obtain Berkshire County arrest records/information by querying the county sheriff’s office or the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. To request these records at the county level, send a public records request to the Berkshire County Records Access Officer at:

467 Cheshire Road,
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Fax: (413) 443-3899
(413) 443-7220 ext 1402

Additionally, arrest records may be available through the police departments in Pittsfield, North Adams, and other towns within the county.

Interested persons may also find an inmate using the Massachusetts Department of Corrections third-party partner listed on their website.

Free Arrest Record Search in Berkshire County

A free arrest record search can be conducted by submitting a public records request to a local police department or sheriff’s office. While there is no charge to inspect records, obtaining physical copies may be a fee. Additionally, several third-party websites allow searching for arrest records online by providing a person's name. However, while these sites can be useful, their data may not always be accurate or up-to-date. It is recommended that any information be verified directly with official sources.

Get Berkshire County Criminal Records

Massachusetts criminal records or Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) encompass a comprehensive history of an individual’s criminal activities, including arrests, charges, court decisions, and sentences.

To access criminal records in Berkshire County, individuals can utilize the state’s online iCORI database, which allows for name-based criminal record checks. This system is managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), which provides authorized users with access to these records.

To search criminal records, individuals must create an account, provide their social security number or another form of identification, and pay the associated fees. Additionally, the Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services (SAFIS) allows fingerprint-based background checks, which is the preferred method for certain employers and licensing agencies.

Public requests for court records can also be made through the Berkshire County District Court located in Pittsfield. Court records form a significant part of the criminal record information maintained by the DCJIS and may include data on past criminal proceedings, including both convictions and dismissals.

Berkshire County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record in Berkshire County generally contains details of an individual's apprehension, but it does not serve as evidence of guilt. The record outlines the facts surrounding an arrest, including the date and location of the incident, but does not include the outcome of the case.

A criminal record, on the other hand, encompasses the entire criminal justice process, from arrest to court proceedings and the final judgment, including convictions and sentences.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records in Berkshire County are permanent unless successfully sealed or expunged. Once an arrest record is sealed or expunged, it is removed from public access but may still be available to law enforcement, depending on the type of relief granted. Expunging an arrest results in the destruction of the record, while sealing restricts its visibility to the general public but not to certain government entities.

Expunge Berkshire County Arrest Records

Under Massachusetts law (M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100A), individuals can petition to have their arrest or criminal records sealed or expunged. Sealing a record means that it will not be accessible to most employers and housing authorities, although law enforcement and certain government agencies may still have access. Expungement, which is more difficult to obtain, completely erases the record. Individuals must meet specific criteria, such as wrongful arrest or mistaken identity, to be eligible for expungement.

In Berkshire County, individuals seeking to seal or expunge their arrest records can file a petition with the local district court or the Superior Court, depending on the nature of the offense. The court will review the petition and determine whether the individual is eligible for relief.

• Sealing Arrest Records: The process for sealing arrest records is governed by MGL c. 276, § 100A. You may petition to seal a record for specific misdemeanors or non-violent felonies after a waiting period or for charges dismissed or resulting in a "nolle prosequi". Petitioners must complete the required forms and submit them to the court handling the case.
• Expunging Arrest Records: Expungement is more limited under Massachusetts law, available only under specific circumstances outlined in MGL c. 276, § 100E-100U. Expungement is granted for certain offenses after a set amount of time or in cases where the arrest was based on mistaken identity or lacked probable cause. If granted, the record is completely erased, making it inaccessible to both the public and government agencies.

Both processes require filing petitions with the appropriate Berkshire County court. Sealing or expunging a record does not guarantee relief if the arrest leads to a conviction, as those records are handled under stricter rules.

Berkshire County Arrest Warrants

In Berkshire County, Massachusetts, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to apprehend an individual suspected of committing a crime. Arrest warrants can also be issued if a person fails to appear in court for a scheduled hearing or violates the conditions of a court order.

Under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 23, a warrant for arrest must be based on "probable cause," meaning there must be a reasonable belief, supported by facts, that the individual named in the warrant has committed a crime. To meet this requirement, law enforcement officers are required to submit an affidavit to the court detailing the evidence that justifies the arrest. The judge or magistrate then reviews the affidavit to ensure that it meets the legal standard for probable cause before issuing the warrant.

A Berkshire County arrest warrant includes several important details to ensure the correct execution of the warrant by law enforcement:

• Charges: A description of the criminal offense(s) the individual is suspected of committing.
• Suspect Information: The name, last known address, and other identifying details of the individual to be arrested.
• Issuing Court: The court that authorizes the issuance of the arrest warrant, usually the Berkshire County District Court or Superior Court.
• Execution Instructions: Specific instructions for law enforcement regarding how the warrant should be executed, including whether the subject is considered dangerous.
• Responsible Law Enforcement Agency: The law enforcement office or agency tasked with executing the arrest warrant, typically a local police department or the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office.
• Once issued, the arrest warrant authorizes police officers to apprehend the individual named in the document, either within Berkshire County or, in some cases, elsewhere within Massachusetts.

Berkshire County Arrest Warrant Search

Members of the public may inquire about active arrest warrants in Berkshire County by visiting the courthouse or police department where the warrant was issued. Warrant searches typically require the individual's name and the warrant's issue date. The departments to contact for a warrant search include:

Pittsfield Police Department
39 Allen Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 448-9700

North Adams Police Department
11 Summer Street
North Adams, MA 01247
(413) 664-4945

Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office
467 Cheshire Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 443-7220

Do Berkshire County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Berkshire County, arrest warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the individual named in the warrant is apprehended or the court revokes them. According to Massachusetts law, arrest warrants remain valid indefinitely unless a judge specifically cancels them. The only way an arrest warrant can be resolved is by the arrest and custody of the subject or by a court's decision to withdraw or vacate the warrant.

While arrest warrants retain their validity throughout Massachusetts, they may also be executed outside Berkshire County if necessary. If the subject of an arrest warrant leaves the county, law enforcement agencies across the state, and sometimes nationwide, can execute the warrant, depending on the nature of the offense and any applicable agreements between jurisdictions.