Hampshire County Arrest Records

In Hampshire County, Massachusetts, an arrest occurs when law enforcement officials take an individual into custody on suspicion of committing a crime. Depending on the circumstances, an arrest can be made with or without a court-issued warrant. If an officer witnesses a crime or has probable cause to believe an individual committed an offense, they may make an arrest without a warrant. After an arrest, the individual is transported to the agency's detention center, where they are processed and booked. This process results in the generation of Hampshire County arrest records.

The Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies (tasked with the apprehension and detention of criminals) maintain records of all individuals incarcerated in the county jail. Additionally, related arrest information may be incorporated into the Hampshire County court records when the case proceeds to trial.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hampshire County?

Yes, arrest records in Hampshire County are generally considered public under Massachusetts law. Per Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 66, Section 10, arrest records are accessible to the public unless otherwise exempted by law. Consequent to these exemptions, certain records may be sealed or classified as confidential, especially those involving minors as well as those pertaining to national security concerns or sensitive personal information. MGL c. 6, § 172 outlines the state's provision for the protection of some information that may not be available to the public.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Typically, arrest records in Hampshire County include the following:

• Personal information about the subject, such as name, date of birth, last known address, and any aliases.
• Physical description, including gender, race, height, weight, hair and eye color, and distinguishing marks like scars or tattoos.
• A narrative of the arrest event, including details of the alleged crime, the arresting officer's observations, and the subject's behavior.
• Criminal charges brought against the individual.
• The date, time, and location of the arrest, along with the arresting officer's name, the subject's photographs (mugshots), and fingerprints.
• Information regarding bail, court dates, and detention details.

Find Hampshire County Arrest Records

To access arrest records in Hampshire County, inquirers may query the Harris County Sheriff's Office or agency that conducted the arrest. Typically, the custodian will require information pertaining to the inmate of interest and details of the arrest to process a record search. Thus, inquirers should have the record holder's full name and birth date as well as the date and location of the arrest. Inquirers may be done in person or via mail at:

Hampshire County Sheriff's Office
205 Rocky Hill Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 584-5911

Additionally, Massachusetts offers a statewide service for finding an inmate. This service is provided through the state's third-party partner, and inquirers are required to enter the state where the arrest occured and proceed to search for the record of interest by ID or case number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Hampshire County

County residents and interested parties can access free arrest records in Hampshire through the Sheriff's Office. While the office does not maintain any published arrest logs, inquirers may make phone or in-person requests to the office and be provided the information they require unless otherwise required by law. Inmate/detainee information is also aggregated by third-party sites that provide access to public records as a service. Some third-party sites may offer free basic information pertaining to arrestees and inmates. However, users often have to pay a fee for more detailed records.

Get Hampshire County Criminal Records

Criminal records for individuals in Hampshire County can be accessed through the statewide Massachusetts iCORI Service, which provides criminal information of persons incarcerated within state limits. To access this service, requestors must create an account as an individual or organization and specify the nature of their relationship to the individual being searched. Registrants are usually expected to provide the following information to process the search if seeking their own information:

• Valid E-Mail Address
• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number (only the last six digits are required)
• Address
• Phone Number
• Massachusetts Driver's License Number or Massachusetts ID number

Massachusetts residents can also use the Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services (SAFIS) for fingerprint-based criminal records. This service provides access to confidential criminal history, including arrest records, that may not be available through name-based searches. SAFIS is primarily for individuals and organizations approved by the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 6, Section 172.

Hampshire County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records in Hampshire County document the fact that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of a crime. These records include important information about the arrest but do not imply a conviction or judgment of guilt. In contrast, criminal records provide a comprehensive history of an individual's interactions with the justice system, including arrests, convictions, sentences, and other legal actions.

While arrest records are generally available to the public, criminal records may contain more detailed information and can sometimes be restricted depending on the case outcome or the individual's legal history.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Hampshire County, arrests remain on an individual's record permanently unless they are sealed or expunged. This is specified by the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 276, Section 100A, which outlines the state's guidelines for sealing both conviction and non-conviction records.

Expunge Hampshire County Arrest Records

Per the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 276, Section 100A, a person can apply to have a misdemeanor record sealed 3 years after completing their sentence or 7 years for a felony conviction. Those who are exonerated may also have their records sealed - this specifically applies to cases where:

• The cases where the defendant was found not guilty
• Probable cause was not established
• The case was dismissed
• The jury returned no bill

Eligible persons seeking to expunge or seal their arrest records can file a Petition to Seal Conviction Records form for convictions or a Petition to Seal Non-Conviction Records form if they were not convicted.

Non-convicted petitioners should file their expungement application to the district court of Hampshire County at:

Eastern Hampshire District Court
205 State St.,
Route 202,
P.O. Box 1490
Belchertown, MA 01007
Phone: (413) 213-7610

For convicted petitioners, expungement applications should be sent to:

Massachusetts Probation Service
Commissioner of Probation
One Ashburton Place, Room 405
Boston, MA 02108

Hampshire County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to take a person into custody. For an arrest warrant to be issued in Hampshire County, law enforcement must present evidence of probable cause, often through an affidavit, which the judge reviews before approving the warrant.

Hampshire County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals interested in searching for active arrest warrants in Hampshire County may contact the Sheriff's Office or local law enforcement agencies. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of all outstanding warrants in the county since they are typically tasked with executing them.

Warrants are also featured within an individual's criminal history information and may be accessible through court records if they relate to a judicial proceeding.

Do Hampshire County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Hampshire County do not have an expiration date. They remain valid until they are executed, recalled by the court, or quashed. The legal outcome of any underlying charges may also impact an arrest warrant's validity.