Boston Arrest Records

Boston arrest records document official arrests and detentions by the Boston Police Department (BPD), Massachusetts State Police (MSP), Transit Police Department (MBTA Transit Police), and other law enforcement agencies within Boston, MA. Arrests occur when officers witness crimes, have probable cause to believe an individual committed an arrestable offense, or are executing a court-issued arrest warrant.

In Boston, law enforcement agencies detain individuals they arrest at local police cells for short-term holding. After processing, they transfer arrestees to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department or the Massachusetts Department of Corrections facilities.

Although Boston arrest records originate as law enforcement documents, they become part of criminal records and are accessible as components of Suffolk County Arrest Records if they are evidentiary documents at the early stages of criminal trials.

Are Arrest Records Public in Boston?

Yes, Boston arrest records are public. Chapter 66, Section 10 of the Massachusetts General Law mandates public access to documents in the possession of public agencies (this includes Boston arrest records). However, there is an exception to public disclosure of Boston arrest information relating to:

• Juveniles
• Sealed or expunged arrest records
• Ongoing investigations
• Arrests that did not lead to charges or were dismissed
• Victim or witness's personal identifying information
• Medical, psychological, or substance use information in arrest reports
• Domestic violence
• Law enforcement techniques and security measures.

However, certain entities can lawfully access exempted arrest records in Boston under the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) statute. These include:

• The individuals named in the records
• Criminal defense attorneys
• Prosecutors / District Attorneys
• Law enforcement agencies
• Judges and courts
• Licensing boards/Government Agencies
• Probation/parole officers
• Victims (in limited cases)
• Employers (with CORI authorization).

Individuals seeking access to Boston arrest records should contact the Boston Police Department's Public Service Unit by mail, email, or in-person visits at:

Boston Police Department Headquarters
1 Schroeder Plaza (1st floor),
Roxbury Crossing,
Boston,
MA
Email: policereport@pd.boston.gov.

Boston Arrest Statistics

Data from the FBI UCR database shows that the Boston Police Department and Boston University reported 13,493 and 61 arrest incidents between January 2021 and December 2023. This comprises 4,173, 4,411, and 4,970 arrests for 2021, 2022, and 2023. Within this timeframe, simple assault accounted for over 23% of arrests, with 3,182 incidents. There were also 2,980 arrests for aggravated assaults, 1,122 for drug-related offenses, and 925 for weapon law violations.

Find Boston Arrest Records

Inquirers seeking copies of Boston arrest records may submit mail, in-person, or email requests to the Public Service Counter of the Boston Police Headquarters at:

1 Schroeder Plaza,
Roxbury Crossing,
Boston,
MA 02120
Email: policereport@pd.boston.gov.

Alternatively, log in to the Massachusetts CORI System, register, and use the search tools to look for Boston arrest records. Furthermore, requesters can visit law enforcement agencies in Boston and request access to the arrest records in their possession.

Boston Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Boston arrest and criminal records play complementary roles but are distinct documents. The highlights below show the differences between arrest and criminal records.

Boston arrest records:

Arrest records are law enforcement documentation of arrests and detentions within the Boston municipality. They contain the personal information of their owners and provide reasons for their arrests and conditions for release. Arrest records do not confirm the guilt or innocence of their owners and may not have much impact if they do not result in criminal convictions.

Boston criminal records:

These are court-generated documents. They provide comprehensive accounts of their owners' interactions with the crime and the Boston justice system. Boston criminal records confirm guilt for criminal actions and may impact their owners' job prospects, housing opportunities, and social status.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Boston arrest information may stay on records indefinitely. However, owners of arrest records in Boston can petition the courts to seal or expunge their arrest information if they fulfill the requirements of Chapter 276, § 100A to § 100C or Chapter 276, §§ 100K to 100U of the Massachusetts General Law. In Boston (and the rest of Massachusetts), there is automatic sealing for arrest records that result in:

• Not guilty verdicts
• Grand jury no-bill,
• A judicial finding of no probable cause.

Individuals can also petition the court for permanent expungement of their arrest information that relates to:

• Mistaken identity or law enforcement error
• Certain juvenile crimes
• Decriminalized offenses (such as marijuana possession).

Furthermore, the court has the discretion to seal a Boston arrest record if the arrest leads to a dismissal or nolle prosequi. Note that the waiting period is 3 years for misdemeanors and 5 years for felonies. During the waiting periods, intending petitioners must have no new criminal convictions.

Boston Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to arrest and bring a named person before the court. In Boston, judges or magistrates of the Boston Municipal Court (BMC), Suffolk County District Court, and Suffolk County Superior Court may issue arrest warrants if police officers or prosecutors provide evidence that named individuals have committed arrestable offenses. The courts may also issue arrest warrants for:

• New criminal charges
• Failure to appear (FTA) in court
• Domestic violence
• Violation of probation or parole
• Grand jury indictment
• Contempt of court.

A Boston arrest warrant contains:

• The name, known aliases, and physical description of the subject
• Allegations against the wanted person and sections of Massachusetts law allegedly broken
• Date and court of issuance
• A statement authorizing law enforcement to take the subject into custody
• Instructions on how law enforcement should execute the warrant.

Do Boston Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Boston and most U.S. jurisdictions, arrest warrants remain permanently active unless law enforcement apprehends their subjects or the courts revoke or recall them. However, several factors may affect the validity of arrest warrants.

In Boston, variables such as clerical errors, insufficient evidence for arrests, lack of judicial authority, incomplete or inaccurate information, violation of constitutional rights, and failure to follow the legal process may void an arrest warrant. Furthermore, the statute of limitations may determine the timeframe for issuing arrest warrants. If an offense has a statute of limitations, prosecutors must file charges against the offender within the specified period.

Expunge Boston Arrest Records

In Boston, individuals can petition the Boston Municipal Court, Suffolk County Superior Court, or the Juvenile Court (Boston Session) to seal or expunge their arrest records if they meet the eligibility criteria. The following steps outline the process for sealing or expunging arrest records in Boston:

Chapter 276, § 100A to § 100C of Massachusetts General Law

Sealing of arrest records (for arrests that did not result in convictions)

• Download and complete the Petition to Seal Criminal Records for Nolle Prosequi or Dismissal Form
• File the petition in the court where the case was heard
• Attend a court hearing (if applicable)
• Wait for the judge's decision. A successful petition will result in the sealing of the arrest record.

Expungement of arrest records (including first-time misdemeanors, mistaken identity, low-level felony before the age of 21 years, underage possession of alcohol or marijuana, and decriminalized offenses):

• Determine eligibility for expunging the arrest record

• Download and complete a Petition to Seal Conviction Records Form and mail it to the Commissioner of Probation at:

  Sealing Unit – One
  Ashburton Place, Room 405,
  Boston,
  MA 02108

• Wait for a response; this process does not require court hearings.

Chapter 276, §§ 100K to 100U of the Massachusetts General Law

Permanent destruction of Boston arrest records resulting from mistaken identity, non-violent crimes before the age of 21 years, decriminalized offenses, and fraud upon the court:

• Download and complete a Petition for Expungement Form
• Attach supporting documents. For instance, valid official identification documents, court dockets, and evidence of mistaken identity
• File a petition at Boston Municipal Court or the appropriate Suffolk County court.
• Serve a copy to the Suffolk County District Attorney for Boston cases
• Attend the court hearing (if the court schedules one) to provide answers and counter objections
• Wait for a ruling. If the court approves the petition, it will order the relevant agencies to destroy the records, and they will no longer be accessible to any entity.