Dukes County Arrest Records

In Dukes County, Massachusetts, under Part IV of the state's general law, law enforcement agents are authorized to arrest individuals who break the law. Crimes are classified as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies, and each type has its legal process and consequences.

When an individual is arrested, they are taken to the nearest police department or jail to be processed. Officers record their details, physical description, photos, fingerprints, biometrics, and possessions. The arrest record also lists the alleged crime. After booking, the individual may be released on a promise to appear in court or held in jail, depending on the severity of the charge.

Law enforcement and the courts work together, so other government agencies often use arrest records created by law enforcement. Arrest records can also be part of Dukes County court records kept by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) and the courts.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dukes County?

Yes. Dukes County arrest records are deemed public. Per the Massachusetts Public Records Act, law enforcement agencies in the state and its counties must grant access to or furnish a copy of any public record to interested persons at reasonable times.

Despite the blanket access granted by the PRA, not all information on arrest records may be accessible. Some sensitive arrest information is not shared with the public, including:

• Personal details like medical records and social security numbers
• Information that could identify or endanger victims
• Details that could affect the individual's right to a fair trial
• Arrest records of minors or juveniles
• Sealed or expunged records

Dukes County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2023 report from the Dukes County Sheriff's office, the crime rate in the county was 13.8 per 1,000 residents. The average daily population in the county jail was 15. There were 65 cases of aggravated assaults, 12 cases of sexual assault, and 206 cases of property crime. The property crime rate was 9.8 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Find Dukes County Arrest Records

Dukes County inmate and arrest records may be found by contacting the local law enforcement agency that made the arrest. The Dukes County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency and provides access to arrest records. Record seekers may request these records directly from the Sheriff's Office. When requesting, record seekers should include vital information such as the individual's name, date of birth, arrest date, and location.
The County Sheriff's office can be reached at:

Dukes County Sheriff's Office
149 Main St,
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-5173

The Dukes County Sheriff's Office website has an inmate search page where visitors may look up inmates currently in the county jail. Alternatively, the Massachusetts State Police provides an Online Records Center through which requesters may look up arrest records. In addition, they could use the online database provided by the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS).

Dukes County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Dukes County arrest and criminal records are created by law enforcement, but they are different. Arrest records track individuals taken into custody and contain information about their identifying details, why they were arrested, and how or when they were released. Criminal records are more in-depth and include additional information such as charges, convictions, and sentencing.

Criminal records include arrest records and details on prosecutions, convictions, sentencing, incarceration, parole, and probation. On the other hand, arrest records only note the arrest itself and related information. They do not contain information about case disposition or sentencing.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Generally, arrest records remain part of an individual's criminal history unless sealed or expunged. Not all arrests can be expunged, and individuals must first verify that they qualify for expungement. Moreover, local law enforcement and courts have different rules for how long they keep records, which vary by record type and case outcome. Some records may be deleted after a specific period once the case is closed.

Dukes County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant authorizes law enforcement to legally arrest an individual without violating their Fourth Amendment rights. In Dukes County, a judge or magistrate issues a warrant if officers show evidence of a crime, have reasonable cause to believe someone did it, or can prove the person is a security risk.

A Dukes County arrest warrant usually includes:

• The suspect's name
• Their physical description (such as marks or tattoos, and ethnicity).
• The allegations against them, including the statute violated
• The name of the issuing judge
• The issuing court
• An instruction to apprehend the subject
• The bail or release terms

Do Dukes County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants in Dukes County have no expiry date. They remain active until the suspect is arrested, appears in court, or dies. The judge may cancel or quash arrest warrants if they deem it to be in the best interest of justice.

Expunge Dukes County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal path through which arrestees who have fulfilled the terms of their sentences have a realistic path to employment, housing, and full civic participation. Besides this, the arrest record remains indefinitely, meaning past mistakes could shadow them for life.

Expungement means removing an arrest from an individual's record, giving them a clean record. In Duke's County, an individual may qualify for a name-based or time-based expungement. Individuals seeking to have their arrest records sealed must verify that they are eligible to have their records sealed under Massachusetts General Law c.276, § 100E-100U.

To begin the expungement process, interested parties should get a copy of their arrest record from the arresting agency and fill out an expungement form. They should include the appropriate filing fee and send a copy of their petition to the county prosecutor. Petitioners may be required to attend hearings to explain why the court should expunge their records.