Plymouth County Arrest Records

In Plymouth County, arrest records are official paperwork that documents the details of a person’s arrest at the hands of law enforcement agents. According to Section 28, Chapter 276 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, an authorized officer may arrest a person with or without a warrant if they reasonably suspect such person of committing a crime. These acts can be categorized as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions, each bearing unique legal repercussions. The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office is required to provide access to Plymouth County Court Records upon request.

Are Arrest Records Public in Plymouth County?

Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Part I, Title X, Chapter 66, Section 10 of the General Law, the general public is entitled to access arrest records made in Plymouth County. Furthermore, the General Law's Part I, Title II, Chapter 6, Section 172 permits people to request access to criminal records, including arrest records.

The process for providing interested parties access to these records is also outlined in Chapter 66, Section 10 GL. Additionally, record custodians must provide access unless the arrest record is classified.

While most arrest records are public and accessible, some records or particular data are sealed, and only authorized people may access them. The following are the kinds of information that could be sealed from the public:

• Information that has been classified for security purposes
• Information that includes commercial secrets or money
• Arrest records concerning minors
• Information is only available to representatives of the legal system
• Information that could put someone's life in jeopardy

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Plymouth County, the following information is usually included in an arrest record:

• Name, birthdate, last known address, phone number, and any aliases used are among the subject information.
• The physical characteristics of the suspect or perpetrator, such as gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and so on. This could also involve distinguishing characteristics like birthmarks, scars, or tattoos.
• Describe the situation, especially if the arresting officer was a witness. This includes an account of the incident that gave rise to the arrest and the detainee's reaction to it.
• Information on the criminal charges (if any).
• The location and time of the arrest, the name of the arresting officer, photographs, fingerprints, details regarding bail, and the planned court date.

Plymouth County Crime Rate

According to statistics published by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, Plymouth County had a crime rate of 2895.12 per 100,000 persons. A total of 1,991 crimes were committed in 2023, a 1.74% increase from 2022 figures. Additionally, there was a clearance rate of 22.65%. Of the total crimes committed, 704 were crimes against the person, 128 were crimes against society, and 1,157 were property crimes. The most common crime committed in Plymouth County in 2023 was assault, with 671 offenses recorded. Assault was followed by Larceny, which saw 402 offenses committed. Other popular offenses include drug offenses, weapon law violations, fraud, burglary, and vandalism.

Plymouth County Arrest Statistics

There were 589 arrests made in Plymouth County in 2023, according to data disseminated by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety. This was a 6.51% decrease from the 2022 figures. Additionally, of the 589 people arrested, 19 were juveniles. The county also had an arrest rate of 856.47 per 100,000 persons.

A little over half the arrests made, 50.3%, were for Group B offenses. 34.5% of the total arrests made were for crimes against the person. Arrests for crimes against property and crimes against society made up 11.7% and 3.6% of total arrests, respectively. All other offenses saw the highest number of arrestees, at 163. This was followed by driving under the influence and larceny, which saw 79 and 46 arrests, respectively.

Find Plymouth County Arrest Records

The Plymouth County Correctional Facility, which the Sheriff’s Office maintains, houses all inmates. Interested parties can contact the facility for information on inmates held there at:

Plymouth County Correctional Facility
26 Long Pond Road,
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-6200

To complete an accurate search at the Facility, it is important that record seekers have all the identifiable information of an inmate. Additionally, interested parties can search for inmates using the Massachusetts Department of Corrections inmate search portal. Record seekers will need to provide the inmate's full first and last name or their commitment number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Plymouth County

Record seekers looking for free arrest records can do so through the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office or the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. Both agencies provide the necessary avenues for persons to complete accurate searches. Aside from the search portals offered by government agencies, interested parties can access third-party websites. These websites typically compile various public records, including arrest records. Despite being free to use, these websites typically only offer a limited amount of information about the record subject; record seekers may have to pay a fee to access more detailed information.

Get Plymouth County Criminal Records

The state of Massachusetts offers a statewide criminal record check system that is accessible to the general public. Interested parties can conduct criminal record searches through two different methods: name-based checks and fingerprint-based checks. Name-based searches are provided by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services through its iCORI platform. The platform requires users to create an account. Meanwhile, fingerprint-based checks give access to the Statewide Applicant Fingerprint Identification Services results (SAFIS-R) and require user registration.

Plymouth County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

There are significant differences in arrest and criminal records compared to any other county in the United States. The distinctions between them and their roles are evident. A person's arrest record is proof that the police detained them while they were being investigated for a possible crime. On the other hand, criminal records include details about people who have been found guilty of a crime in full. While the two papers contain some of the same information, the criminal and arrest records for Plymouth County are distinct. Their distinctions can be found in their definition and aims.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Plymouth County, arrests stay on a person’s record permanently. If a Massachusetts arrest record is obtained or created, it is public information for as long as it is not expunged or sealed. However, if the record custodian considers it outdated or has been kept longer than the department's retention limit, the record will likely be destroyed. In Massachusetts, it is rare for an arrest record to be destroyed after it has been kept longer than the department's retention limit.

Expunge Plymouth County Arrest Records

There are no particular laws in Massachusetts about the sealing or expunging of arrest records. However, Plymouth County residents can expunge arrest records associated with their criminal records. Anyone interested may apply to seal conviction and non-conviction cases and petition for expungement.

Massachusetts General Law c. 276, § 100A provides the legal framework for sealing convictions. Under certain conditions, applicants may request that the Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS) seal their records. In misdemeanor cases, this can be done three years after the sentence is completed and the applicant is released. Meanwhile, in felony cases, it can be done after the applicant maintains good behavior for seven years after the sentence is completed.

On the other hand, MGL c. 276, § 100C provides the guidelines for sealing records of exonerated individuals. The requirements for sealing these records are as follows:

• The jury's verdict was "not guilty";
• The court found no probable cause;
• The jury returned no bill;
• The case was dismissed without probation.

Parties looking to expunge or seal their arrest records, which led to a criminal conviction, must complete the Petition to Seal Conviction Records form. On the other hand, the Petition to Seal Non-Conviction Records form is available to individuals looking to seal their arrest records that did not lead to criminal convictions.

These forms should be completed and mailed to:

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

To have a felony conviction sealed, a person must apply to the Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS). Cases of non-conviction sealing must be filed with the District Court.

Once a person’s arrest record has been expunged, members of the public will no longer have access to those records. However, law enforcement agents will still be able to view them.

Plymouth County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document that a judge issues in court that authorizes law enforcement to arrest in Plymouth County. It certifies that there is probable cause to believe that an individual is guilty of a crime and warrants an arrest; however, before the issuance of an arrest warrant, law enforcement must first present the judge with an affidavit detailing the specifics of the alleged offense and produce evidence that points to the defendant. The judge then considers the affidavit, decides whether or not to issue an arrest warrant, and issues an arrest warrant.

Plymouth County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals looking for Plymouth County arrest warrants can do so through the Sheriff’s Office Warrant Apprehension Unit. This Unit is tasked with executing warrants emanating from the county. It also helps Federal, State, and Local agencies, including U.S. Marshals, the Probation Department, and Municipal Police, execute active warrants. Record seekers can search for warrants by visiting the Unit at:

Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office
26 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-6200

Do Plymouth County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Usually, arrest warrants are indefinite. Instead, they hold until the individual for whom the arrest warrant is issued is placed under arrest or the order is "recalled and quashed". Nevertheless, suppose an arrest warrant is acquired but not executed for years. In that case, this may result in the dismissal of an individual’s case as it violates their right to a speedy trial.