Essex County Arrest Records

Arrest records are documents relating to individuals' arrest histories. Depending on the circumstances, law enforcement can take individuals into custody with or without warrants. An arrest becomes imminent if a law enforcement officer witnesses a crime or has evidence that a person committed an arrestable offense.

The Essex County Sheriff's Office, Massachusetts State Police, and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies generate arrest records to document the details of individuals they take into custody and the circumstances of their arrests.

Essex County arrest records are a fundamental part of Essex County court records; they are crucial tools for enforcing law and order within the county.

Depending on the duration of incarceration, law enforcement agencies within Essex County detain individuals they take into custody at local police departments holding cells, Pre-release and Re-entry centers, Essex County Correctional Facility (Middleton Jail), and Lawrence Correctional Alternative Center. Also, individuals convicted of serious crimes with long-term sentences of over 2.5 years may be incarcerated at the Massachusetts State Prison, while federal criminals are transferred to federal detention facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Essex County?

Yes, Essex County arrest records are publicly accessible. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Section 10 mandates that a record access officer must permit access or furnish a copy of any public record to interested persons at reasonable times and without delays.

However, it is important to note that the laws exempt public scrutiny of Essex County arrest information relating to

• Minors
• Records of judicial or law enforcement investigation
• Sealed or expunged records
• Victim, witness, informant, or secret agent information
• Public security.

A record seeker must have legal authority or judicial orders to access restricted arrest records in Essex County.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Generally, arrest records detail the personal information of arrestees, reasons they were taken into custody by law enforcement, booking information, and the conditions for release. Typically, an arrest record information includes

• Name, age, gender, and race of the arrestees
• Date, time, and location of arrest
• Name of the arresting authority and the badge number of the arresting officer
• Charges against the owner of the record
• Case number, mugshots, and fingerprints
• Bail or Bond amount
• Court information (if applicable).

Essex County Crime Rate

According to Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) crime statistics, reports from the Essex County Sheriff's Office and the Essex State Police show a 43.93% increase in the number of crime incidents in Essex County in 2023. The Essex County Sheriff's Office and the Essex Police reported 59 and 190 crime incidents. These figures were higher than the 50 and 123 incidents for 2022. However, the 2022 figures were lower than the 55 and 182 incidents reported by the same agencies in 2021.

Between 2021 and 2023, drug/narcotic violations were the most consistent crime in Essex County. Within this timeframe, the Essex County Sheriff's Office and the Essex State Police reported 333 drug/narcotic violation incidents. In comparison, within the same period, there were 51 cases of simple assault (the next most common crime).

Essex County Arrest Statistics

Statistics from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security show over 100% in the number of arrests for various offenses within Essex County in 2023.

In 2023, the Essex County Sheriff's Office and the Essex Police arrested 852 individuals within the county. In comparison, there were 414 arrests in the previous year. The 2022 figure was 32 arrestees lower than the 446 individuals taken into custody in 2021. The tables below outline the number of arrests reported by the Essex County Sheriff's Office and the Essex State Police to the EOPSS between 2021 and 2023.

Essex County Sheriff's Office Arrest Reports 2021 to 2023

Essex State Police Arrest Reports 2021 to 2023

Data Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Find Essex County Arrest Records

Interested persons seeking access to Essex County arrest records submit a written request to the Essex County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer at

Essex County Sheriff's Department

20 Manning Avenue
P.O. Box 807
Middleton,
MA 01949.

Alternatively, log in to the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access Portal. Basic information about Essex County arrest records may be available through criminal records from Essex County courts. Also, arrest records are part of criminal records. Requesters should visit any Essex County Superior or District Court branches and request access to criminal records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Essex County

To access Essex County arrest records for free, visit the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access portal (basic information relating to Essex County arrest may be available through criminal case information. Also, Essex County arrest records may be available online for free. Some third-party websites may provide free access to Essex County law enforcement records.

Get Essex County Criminal Records

Essex County arrest records refer to official case files on criminal prosecutions within the county's courts. Criminal records encompass all documents relating to criminal activities and their prosecutions under the justice system. In Essex County, the Superior, District, and Juvenile Courts generate criminal records during criminal case prosecutions.

To access Essex County’s publicly available criminal histories:

• Send a public records request to any of the Essex County Superior or District Courts or the county's Clerk of Courts Office at:

75 Federal Street
Salem,
MA 01970
Phone: (978) 740-8400

• Visit the Essex County Superior or District Courthouses and request access to the county's criminal records through the clerk’s offices
• Log in to the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Portal and request criminal records relating to Essex County
• Call or visit the Massachusetts State Police office at:

50 Maple Street
Milford,
MA 01757
Phone: (774) 462-3770

• Call the Essex County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer at (978) 750-1900 ext. 3361 or send an email request to access the county's criminal records to ggrosky@essexsheriffma.org.

Essex County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Essex County arrest and criminal records are publicly accessible law enforcement documents that provide crucial information for safeguarding lives and properties. However, there are several distinctions between both documents.

Essex Arrest Records

Typically, law enforcement agencies within Essex County create arrest records as official details of the circumstances of the arrest of individuals. An arrest record does not confirm guilt or innocence, an arrestee is innocent of a crime until proven guilty at the court.

Essex County Criminal Records

The Essex County Superior, District, and Juvenile Courts generate criminal records during case prosecutions. Criminal records contain information about individuals' criminal activities and prosecutions. Unlike arrest records, criminal records are legal confirmation that the court finds an individual guilty of a crime.

Also, although arrest and criminal records may affect individuals' societal status and opportunities, criminal records have a greater impact than arrest records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Generally, Essex County arrest information will remain on a record indefinitely. However, the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100A grants individuals the right to petition the court to seal or remove arrest information if they fulfill the eligibility requirements.

Expunge Essex County Arrest Records

Arrest record owners must fulfill the eligibility criteria before the court to seal or remove their arrest information. Per Chapter 276 Section 100 of the Massachusetts General Laws, an individual can petition the court to seal or remove arrest information if

• The arrest does not lead to a conviction
• The offender is below 21 years old at the time of the offense
• If the waiting period for the offense has elapsed
• The arrest results from a mistaken identity
• The arrest is for a misdemeanor or non-violent offense
• The arrest results from a decriminalized offense
• The owner of the record has completed the sentence for the crime
• An individual has no more than two misdemeanor convictions or one felony and one misdemeanor.

Depending on the nature and outcome of arrests, there may be a waiting period ranging between 3 and 10 years. These are 3 to 7 years for misdemeanors and 7 to 10 years for felonies. There is no waiting period for nolle prosequi, dismissal, or acquittal of charges.

The arrestee does not need to file a petition. The records are automatically removed unless the court states otherwise.

Individuals seeking to expunge Essex County arrest information should

• Determine their eligibility for sealing or removing arrest information from the records.
• Gather supporting documents that might aid a positive outcome. These may include disposition or rehabilitation records or evidence of mistaken identity or clerical errors.
• Visit the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) website, request and obtain copies of their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
• Log in to the Massachusetts court system’s website and download the appropriate Expungement Petition Forms (this depends on the nature and outcome of the arrest)
• Complete the expungement form, attach the supporting documents, a certified copy of CORI, an affidavit explaining the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and file a petition to the Essex County Superior or District Court (depending on which court handles the case)
• Serve a copy of the petition to the Essex County District Attorney's Office.
• Attend court hearings on the petition to provide answers to questions and counter objections from law enforcement or the DA’s office.
• Wait for the judge to decide the petition; if it is successful, the court will order the relevant agencies to seal the records.
• Follow up and ensure that the agencies seal or remove the records.

Essex County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are court-issued documents that authorize law enforcement to take individuals into custody. In Essex County, MA, a judge/magistrate of the Superior, District, or Juvenile Court may issue arrest warrants if law enforcement provides evidence of crimes against individuals. Also, an arrest warrant may become necessary if

• If an individual violates the terms of probation or parole
• There is evidence that an offender intends to flee to avoid prosecution for an offense
• A person flouts or disobeys court orders or fails to appear for trial or sentencing for a crime.

A typical arrest warrant contains

• The subject/defendant's name, aliases, physical description, and last known address
• An affidavit from law enforcement outlining the reasons for the arrest
• Charges against the defendant/subject and the Massachusetts law allegedly violated
• Signature and seal of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Geographical jurisdiction where the warrant is valid
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant
• Date of issuance and return of the warrant to the court after their arrest
• Bail or Bond information (if it applies).

Essex County Arrest Warrant Search

To find Essex County active arrest warrants:

• Visit the Essex County Sheriff's Office website and look for information relating to arrest warrants
• Call or visit the Essex County Sheriff's Office for information on active arrest warrants
• Log in to the Massachusetts State Police Most Wanted Page and look for information on arrest warrants originating from Essex County.
• Visit the Essex County Superior, District, or Juvenile Court Clerk's Office for information on active warrants.
• Search online for Essex County active arrest warrants through third-party repositories that provide information on Massachusetts law enforcement records or visit local media websites or notice boards for information about the county's wanted persons.
• Contact local police departments for updates on the county's active arrest warrants.

Do Essex County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not have expiry dates in Essex County or any part of Massachusetts State. Generally, they remain active until law enforcement apprehends the subject. Notwithstanding, it is crucial to note that an arrest Warrant becomes inactive if the subject of the warrant dies or the court cancels it.