Middlesex County Arrest Records

Per federal and state laws, law enforcement can take individuals into custody with or without warrants if they commit arrestable offenses, flout court orders, attempt to evade prosecutions, or pose risks to themselves or the public.

The Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, Massachusetts State Police, and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies create arrest records as evidence of arrests. Middlesex County arrest records are crucial for dispensing criminal justice within the county. Hence, they are a component of Middlesex County court records.

In Middlesex County, depending on the outcome of an arrest, law enforcement may incarcerate arrestees at local police departments holding cells, Middlesex House of Correction and Jail, the Cambridge Jail (also known as the Middlesex County Jail), or the Massachusetts Department of Correction Facilities (for serious offenses and long-term sentences). Also, individuals convicted on federal charges may be transferred to federal detention centers outside of Middlesex County.

Are Arrest Records Public in Middlesex County?

Yes, Middlesex County arrest records are public. Part 1, Chapter 66, Section 10 of the Massachusetts General Law mandates records access officers to make public records available to interested persons within ten days of request. However, the public cannot access Middlesex County arrest records relating to minors, ongoing law enforcement or judicial investigational process, victim or witness information, sealed or expunged records, or law enforcement agents' information. Also, Massachusetts laws exempt public scrutiny of Middlesex County arrest records that may compromise public interest. Notwithstanding, records owners, authorized agencies, and persons with judicial orders can access Middlesex County-exempted arrest records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records contain personal and booking details and other information relating to arrests. These include

• The name, birth date, address, gender, and physical description of the owner of the record
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Name of the arresting agency
• Name or badge number of the arresting officer
• Charges against the arrestee
• Date and time of booking
• Case number, mugshots, and fingerprints
• Bail or bond amount
• The outcome of the arrest (conviction, dismissal, or acquittal).

Middlesex County Crime Rate

Data from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) show a decline in Middlesex County's crime rate between 2021 and 2023. The Middlesex State Police reported 160 crime incidents within the county in 2023 (a 0.62% decrease from the 160 incidents in 2022). Also, there was a 13.90% decline in crime rate between 2021 and 2022 (from 187 to 161 cases).

Between 2021 and 2023, drug-related offenses were the most common crime. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, there were 72, 49, and 76 drug/narcotic violations. On average, the numbers for drug-related crimes within Middlesex County are more than twice as high as the highest crime within this period.

Middlesex County Arrest Statistics

Middlesex County arrest statistics show an increase in the number of persons taken into custody for various offenses within the county between 2021 and 2023. The Massachusetts State Police report to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security shows a 91.80% increase in arrests in 2023 over the previous year.

The Massachusetts State Police reports show 1,936 individuals were arrested for various offenses within Middlesex County between 2021 and 2023. The table below outlines the Massachusetts State Police arrest statistics for Middlesex County between 2021 and 2023.

Middlesex County Arrest Statistics 2021 to 2023

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

Find Middlesex County Arrest Records

For information about Middlesex County arrests, record seekers should call or visit the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office at

12 Gill Street, Suite 4700
Woburn,
MA 01801
Phone: (781) 960-2800

Alternatively, visit the Middlesex County Court Clerk's Office and request access to case files on arrests that made it to trial.

Also, Middlesex County arrest records requesters can visit local police departments and request access to records in their possession or log in to the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access system and search Court dockets for basic information on Middlesex County arrest records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Middlesex County

To access Middlesex County arrest records for free:

• Log in to the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access system and look for information relating to Middlesex County criminal cases.
• Search for Middlesex County arrest records online through third-party repositories, local media websites, and notice boards.

Get Middlesex County Criminal Records

Criminal records refer to documents that comprehensively detail individuals' histories. In Middlesex County, criminal records encompass case files on criminal prosecutions within the county's Superior, District, and Juvenile Courts.

To access Middlesex County criminal records:

• Log in to the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access (ECA) and use the online search tools to access basic information on Middlesex County criminal case files.
• Visit the Middlesex County Superior, District, or Juvenile Courts clerk's offices across the county and request access to criminal records.
• Visit the Massachusetts State Police's Public Records Request Portal, create an account, log in, and submit a request for criminal records of individuals convicted within Middlesex County.
• Call or send a mail request to Massachusetts State Police to access Middlesex County criminal records at

Massachusetts State Police

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

• Contact the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office or local police departments and request access to criminal records in their possession.

Individuals seeking access to personal criminal records should visit the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), register, log in, and request access to personal criminal records.

Middlesex County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Middlesex County arrest and criminal records are both law enforcement documents. Despite their roles in achieving a common goal, there are several distinctions between them. The differences range from the content to the legal implications, as outlined below.

Law enforcement and the courts generate arrest records for different purposes. Arrest records relate to the apprehension of individuals by law enforcement for various offenses. On the other hand, criminal records detail criminal activities and their prosecutions.

Arrest records do not confirm the guilt or innocence of an offender. Under state and federal laws, an arrestee is innocent of any allegation until proven guilty in court. A criminal record is a legal proof that the court has found an individual guilty of an offense.

Although arrest and criminal records may impact various aspects of individuals' lives, criminal records have a greater impact than arrest records. For instance, in some cases, criminal convictions may impact voting rights and limit travel opportunities, professional licensing, or social status.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information will stay indefinitely on a record unless they petition the court and seal or remove them. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100A grants individuals the right to petition for sealing or removal of arrest information if they are eligible.

Expunge Middlesex County Arrest Records

Part IV Title II Chapter 272 Section 100A of the Massachusetts General Law grants record owners the opportunity to seal or remove arrest information from their records if they fulfill the requirements. The eligibility criteria for expunging arrest warrants in Massachusetts (including Middlesex County) may depend on the nature and outcome of the arrest. However, generally, to petition the court to expunge arrest information in Middlesex County:

• The arrest must result in a non-conviction (this includes dismissal, acquittal, or non-prosecution)
• The offender must be under 21 years old at the time of the offense
• A specific waiting period may elapse before the petitioner can file for sealing or removal of the record (usually, this ranges between 3 to 7 years for misdemeanors and 7 to 10 years for felonies). For non-conviction arrests, the records are automatically sealed, and the owner of the record does not need to petition the court.

Also, under Massachusetts laws, expugnable arrest records include those resulting from misdemeanors, non-violent felonies (if the offender is below 21 years), mistaken identity or errors, and decriminalized offenses such as marijuana possession, public consumption of alcohol, and possession of hypodermic needles without prescription.

Record owners seeking to expunge Middlesex County arrest information from their records should:

• Determine their eligibility and ascertain the waiting period for filing a petition to expunge the specific arrest information.
• Gather supporting documents that may aid the petition process. These may include disposition records, evidence of rehabilitation, police or documents supporting identity theft, clerical error documentation, or any official document that will aid the quest for a positive outcome.
• Request and obtain copies of their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) from the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
• Download the appropriate Expungement Petition Form from the Massachusetts court system’s website or obtain the forms from the Middlesex County courthouse.
• Fill out the petition forms with the necessary information, attach the supporting documents, a certified copy of the Criminal Offender Record, an affidavit explaining the reason for the arrest, and file a petition at the specific Middlesex County court (this may be the Middlesex County Superior, District, or Juvenile Court)
• Serve Notice to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s (DA) office (the DA office will review the petition and may raise objections)
• Attend court hearings (if necessary) to answer questions and counter objections from the DA office.
• Wait for the court to review, consider the petition, and come to a decision.
• If the court grants the expungement, it will order the relevant agencies to erase the record from their databases.
• Follow up and ensure that the agencies comply with the court order and remove the record from public view.
• Contact the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services to confirm that the record is no longer available in the public domain.

Middlesex County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants refer to court documents authorizing law enforcement to take individuals into custody. A Middlesex County Superior, District, or Juvenile Court judge/magistrate may issue an arrest warrant if law enforcement (with the help of a prosecutor) shows probable cause that an individual committed a crime. Also, the court may issue arrest warrants if an individual violates the terms of probation or parole, intends to flee the jurisdiction to avoid legal prosecutions for an offense, poses risks to themselves or the public, or flouts court orders.

A Middlesex County arrest records information include

• An affidavit from law enforcement outlining the reason the subject should be taken into custody
• The name, aliases, physical description, and last known address of the subject
• Charges against the wanted person and the Massachusetts law allegedly violated
• Date of issuance of the warrant
• Seal and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Geographical area where the warrant is valid
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute and return the warrant to the court
• Bail or bond information.

Middlesex County Arrest Warrant Search

For information on Middlesex County active arrest warrants:

• Log in to the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office website and look for information relating to arrest warrants under the News & Events header, or contact them through phone calls or visits and request information about arrest warrants
• Visit the Middlesex County District Court Clerk's Office and request information on court-issued arrest warrants
• Look for information about Middlesex County arrest warrants on the Massachusetts State Police Most Wanted Page
• Search for Middlesex County active on local News websites, newspapers, notice boards, or third-party online repositories that offer information about Middlesex County law enforcement records.

Do Middlesex County Arrest Warrants Expire?

An arrest warrant will remain active in Middlesex County or any part of Massachusetts State until law enforcement takes the suspect into custody. However, it will become inactive if the subject/defendant dies or the court cancels it.