Are Norfolk County Records Public?

Yes, Norfolk County records are public records that can be obtained by members of the public per the Massachusetts public records law and other laws that regulate access to public records, such as 950 CMR 32.00(commonwealth law) and fair information practice regulations laws. These laws govern how local and state agencies in Norfolk County make public records available to members of the public while maintaining a relative restriction in keeping with the provisions of the rule of law. The Freedom of Information laws also regulate access to records from federal institutions in Norfolk County.

The Public Records Law states that "any books, papers, maps, photographs, recorded tapes, financial statements, statistical tabulations, or other documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee" of any Massachusetts governmental entity are among the public records that are accessible to interested parties. These records encompass Norfolk County court records, vital records, property records, criminal records, and related documents.

What is Exempted Under the Massachusetts Public Records Act?

While most government records are public, public record laws also restrict access to specific categories of government records. These records are exempted from public disclosure to ensure that access records do not infringe on a person's rights to privacy, sensitive information does not end up in the hands of enemies of the government, and there is no breakdown of law in the process of other while providing access to government records.

The Michigan Public Records Act includes exclusions that serve as the foundation for the full or partial withholding of records. The interpretation of the exemptions is rigorous and limited. Where exempt information is mixed with non-exempt material, the non-exempt elements are liable to disclosure once the exempt portions are erased in a redaction process.

The records custodian must decide whether to make some records public on a case-by-case basis because, in some cases, the exemption is subjective and must involve weighing privacy interests at stake against the public's right to know.

When determining the importance of the privacy interest at risk, the following elements should be taken into account:

• If the materials sought contain highly personal and intimate details;
• whether revelation would cause embarrassment to a person with normal sensibilities;

Some examples of documents that are exempted under the Massachusetts public record laws include:

• Grand jury minutes,
• Personal identifying information and other evidence relating to ongoing investigations or prosecutions
• Autopsy reports, hospital, medical, and health data,
• legal work products and documents covered by the attorney-client privilege
• Information about complaints of rape, sexual assault
• domestic violence cases involving juvenile delinquency

Norfolk County Public Records Search

Individuals looking for public records in Norfolk County must first determine what type of public record they are looking for and then locate the custodian of the record. For example, individuals looking for public criminal records, such as criminal history documents and incident records, must contact the police department in Norfolk County to make requests. Similarly, persons who want to perform a public record search for Norfolk County court records can do so by contacting the county court clerk. Those unsure about which department to call can call the Town Clerk's Office at (508) 641-0929.

Each public record custodian in Norfolk County has a custom online public records request form that people can use to request public records. Most record custodians also allow citizens to request public records in person by visiting their office or through US mail.

Public record requests can also be sent through the Records Access Officer for Norfolk County. To make a request, individuals can either complete the online form on the record officers' website or download, complete, and send the public record request form through the mail. The records access officer accepts requests for any public record within Norfolk County and sends the request to the appropriate record custodian for resolution. The officer is located at:

PUBLIC RECORDS ACCESS OFFICER
614 High Street,
Suite 201,
P.O. Box 310,
Dedham, MA 02027

Requesters should note, however, that:

• Requesters are advised to narrow the scope of their request to expedite the request process.
• Public entities are required to protect personally identifiable information and avoid unjustified intrusions into privacy when responding to requests for public records.
• A reasonable fee may be charged for the public records request.
• Requesters must provide their personal information to be contacted if their request is problematic.

Find Public Records For Free in Norfolk County

The most reliable way to find public records for free in Norfolk County is through third-party websites. Third-party sites are online platforms private companies create to access different public records. These online platforms are connected to curated databases that can be searched using keywords such as the names of persons named on records or official record numbers. Users can also filter public records using dates when the records were created and the name of the public institution that made the record.

Third-party websites are very convenient because they allow anyone to search for public records remotely and deliver them to their e-mail. However, people who want to use these sites must do due diligence by comparing data from a third-party site with those from government databases to ensure accurate information is obtained.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

People who want to remove any information from public access can do so through the Norfolk County public access officer or by directly contacting the agency that creates and maintains the records that need to be removed. Citizens can make these requests in writing; the request letter should provide information on the documents that must be exempted or redacted and explain why the record must be private. The letter should reference any exemption laws supporting removing information from public access when possible.

Who Can Access Norfolk County Public Records in Massachusetts?

Anyone can submit a request for public documents in Norfolk County, regardless of whether they live in the Town of Norfolk. In Massachusetts, anyone interested can seek public records. The Massachusetts Public Records Law states that everyone has the right to access public information, as stipulated by the law and its rules. This right of access covers the ability to view, copy, or request a copy of records in exchange for a fair price, if applicable.

However, certain types of records are limited in who can request them. For example, specific government officials can only ask for the payroll data of specific government organizations.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

Even though institutions in Norfolk County are required to respond positively to public record requests that fulfill all the guidelines in the Massachusetts Public Records Act and county ordinances, a person might have their requests refused if they fall within the following situations:

• The requestor did not provide sufficient information on their request form that can be used to search for records. The request is too bulky to be resolved within a reasonable timeline.
• The requestor does not pay the correct public record request fees.
• The custodian determines that the requested record falls within the exempted records and should not be made public.

When a public records request is made in Norfolk, the custodians typically have 10 business days to respond, and they will do their best to do so. The records custodian will submit a written response with an estimated timeline for responding, a good faith estimate of any fees, and a list of records that are not within their control if they cannot reply to the request within the allotted time.

Per 950 CMR 32.08(1), if a record custodian refuses a request, a requester may appeal the custodian's decision to the Supervisor of Records within the agency that maintains the record. After receiving the appeal, the Supervisor has ten (10) business days to decide. If the requester is dissatisfied with the Supervisor's determination, the requester may appeal to the Superior Court in Norfolk County. A requester may also move straight to Superior Court without appealing to supervisors.