Worcester County Criminal Records
What Is Worcester County Criminal Records
Worcester County criminal records are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Worcester County, Massachusetts. These records are maintained pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 167-178 and serve as the official history of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions of criminal cases.
Criminal records in Worcester County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including booking information, fingerprints, and photographs
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, hearings, pleas, trials, and sentencing
- Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration, probation, and parole
- Sex Offender Registry: Records of convicted sex offenders residing in Worcester County
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody but do not indicate guilt, while conviction records confirm that a person was found guilty of a criminal offense either through trial or plea agreement.
Criminal offenses in Worcester County are categorized as:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison for more than one year
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year in a county jail
Juvenile records (individuals under 18) are generally sealed and not accessible to the public under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, Section 52-84, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Worcester County:
Worcester County District Attorney's Office
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-755-8601
Worcester County District Attorney
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
5 Paul X. Tivnan Drive
West Boylston, MA 01583
508-854-1800
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
Worcester District Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-831-2000
Massachusetts Trial Court
Are Criminal Records Public In Worcester County
Criminal records in Worcester County are generally considered public records under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, G.L. c. 66, § 10. This statute establishes that government records, including criminal records, are presumptively public unless specifically exempted by law.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law states: "Every person having custody of any public record shall, at reasonable times and without unreasonable delay, permit it, or any segregable portion of a record which is an independent public record, to be inspected and examined by any person."
However, not all criminal record information is publicly accessible. The following categories have restricted access:
- Ongoing investigations: Records pertaining to active criminal investigations are exempt from disclosure under G.L. c. 4, § 7(26)(f)
- Sealed records: Criminal records that have been sealed by court order pursuant to G.L. c. 276, § 100A-C
- Juvenile records: Records of juvenile offenders are generally confidential
- CORI-protected information: Access to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) is regulated by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
Adult conviction records are typically accessible to the public, as are records of court proceedings, which are presumptively open under both statutory and constitutional principles. The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system governs access to criminal history information, with different levels of access granted to different requestors.
The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) administers the CORI system and provides guidelines for accessing criminal record information in accordance with state law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Worcester County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Worcester County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the maintaining agency.
For court records, individuals may:
- Visit the Worcester District Court in person to request records
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts
- Access the Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case lookup system
- Request certified copies of court documents for a fee
Worcester District Court
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-831-2000
Massachusetts Trial Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For arrest records and booking information:
- Contact the arresting police department or the Worcester County Sheriff's Office
- Submit a public records request form specifying the information sought
- Check online jail rosters for current inmate information
Worcester Police Department
9-11 Lincoln Square
Worcester, MA 01608
508-799-8600
Worcester Police Department
Hours: Records Division open Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For comprehensive criminal history information:
- Submit a CORI request through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS)
- Create an account on the iCORI system for online requests
- Pay the required fee (currently $25 for standard access)
- Provide proper identification and purpose for the request
Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
617-660-4600
Massachusetts DCJIS
Requestors must complete appropriate forms and may need to provide identification. Fees vary by agency and type of record requested, with some records available for free inspection while copies typically incur charges.
How To Find Criminal Records in Worcester County Online?
Worcester County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records digitally. These systems provide convenient access to various types of criminal record information without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
The Massachusetts Trial Court's electronic case access portal, MassCourts, allows users to search for criminal cases by name or case number. This system provides:
- Case docket information
- Hearing dates
- Case status
- Party information
- Basic disposition information
The search functionality includes cases from Worcester District Court, Worcester Superior Court, and other courts within Worcester County. Users should note that:
- Some older cases may not be available electronically
- Detailed documents typically require in-person requests
- The system does not include juvenile cases or sealed records
The Worcester County Sheriff's Office maintains an Inmate Lookup system that provides:
- Current inmate roster
- Basic booking information
- Scheduled release dates
- Facility location
For sex offender information, the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board maintains a searchable database of registered sex offenders in Worcester County and throughout the state.
The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) operates the iCORI system for requesting official Criminal Offender Record Information. This system:
- Requires user registration
- Charges fees for most requests
- Provides different levels of access based on requestor type
- Delivers official criminal history reports
Users should be aware that online systems may have limitations in terms of completeness and currency of information. Some records may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate agency.
Can You Search Worcester County Criminal Records for Free?
Worcester County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without charge, though some limitations apply. Massachusetts law provides for free public inspection of certain records pursuant to G.L. c. 66, § 10(a), which states that public records must be accessible for inspection without charge.
Free resources for criminal record searches include:
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In-person inspection: Individuals may visit the Worcester District Court, Worcester Superior Court, or the Worcester County Sheriff's Office to view publicly available records during normal business hours without charge. While inspection is free, copying fees may apply.
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MassCourts public access terminals: Located in courthouse lobbies, these terminals provide free access to the electronic case management system with more detailed information than the online portal.
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Worcester County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup: This online database provides current inmate information at no cost.
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Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry: The public can search Level 3 (high risk) and certain Level 2 (moderate risk) sex offenders at no charge.
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Police logs: Many Worcester County police departments maintain public logs of arrests and incidents that can be viewed for free.
Worcester Law Library
184 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-831-2525
Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
It is important to note that while basic inspection may be free, fees typically apply for:
- Copies of documents (generally $0.05-$1.00 per page)
- Certified copies of court records ($5-$20 per document)
- Official CORI reports through the DCJIS ($25 for standard access)
- Expedited or specialized searches
Individuals seeking their own criminal records may request one free CORI report per year through the DCJIS, pursuant to G.L. c. 6, § 172.
What's Included in a Worcester County Criminal Record?
Worcester County criminal records contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content varies depending on the record type and maintaining agency, but typically includes several key categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Photograph/mugshot (if available)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Charges filed and statutory citations
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney of record
- Judge assigned
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/OUI offenses
- Pending charges
- Probation/parole status
The level of detail in publicly accessible records may be limited by privacy laws and CORI regulations. Law enforcement agencies and courts maintain more comprehensive records than what may be available to the general public.
How Long Does Worcester County Keep Criminal Records?
Worcester County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule and specific court rules. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
Criminal records retention periods vary by document type:
- Arrest records: Police departments typically retain arrest records permanently, though booking photos and fingerprints may have shorter retention periods
- Court case files: The Massachusetts Trial Court maintains criminal case files permanently for felonies and for varying periods (typically 10-20 years) for misdemeanors
- Probation records: Generally maintained for 10 years after the completion of probation
- Incarceration records: The Worcester County Sheriff's Office maintains inmate records for at least 7 years after release, with summary information retained permanently
It is important to note that even when physical records are destroyed according to retention schedules, electronic indices or summary information may be maintained indefinitely. Additionally, the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board maintains computerized criminal history information indefinitely unless records are sealed or expunged by court order.
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 100A, individuals may petition to have their criminal records sealed after waiting periods of:
- 5 years for misdemeanor convictions
- 10 years for felony convictions
- Immediately for non-conviction records (dismissals, not guilty findings)
Sealed records are not destroyed but are removed from public access and standard criminal history reports. Law enforcement agencies retain access to sealed records for limited purposes.
Juvenile records are generally sealed when the individual turns 18, pursuant to G.L. c. 276, § 100B, though exceptions exist for serious offenses.