Cambridge Arrest Records Lookup

Cambridge arrest records are held by the Cambridge Police Department and the Middlesex County court system. This page explains how to request police records in Cambridge, how to search court filings online, what the CORI system covers, and what rights Massachusetts law gives you to seal or expunge criminal records.

Cambridge Police Department Records

The Cambridge Police Department is the primary source for local arrest reports, incident reports, and accident reports in Cambridge. The department is at 125 Sixth Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. For records questions, call the non-emergency line at (617) 349-3300 and ask for the records unit.

Under MGL c. 41, § 98F, Cambridge Police are required to keep a public log of arrests, bookings, and incident entries. This log shows names, dates, charges, and case status. It is a public record and must be made available for inspection. The full text of incident reports may require a formal public records request, but the log itself is accessible without one.

Public records requests can be submitted online through the Cambridge city portal, by phone, or in person at the station. State law under MGL c. 66, § 10 requires a response within 10 business days. Electronic copies are provided free of charge. Paper copies cost $0.05 per page. Up to two hours of search time is free, with an hourly rate of $25 applying after that.

How to Request Records in Cambridge

Online requests go through the Cambridge public records request portal on the city website at www.cambridgema.gov. Select the Cambridge Police Department and describe the record you need with as much detail as possible: date of the incident, location, names of people involved, report number if known, and your contact information.

For phone requests, call (617) 349-3300 and ask for the records unit. Staff can walk you through what is available and what needs to be submitted formally. Some routine records like accident reports are often available more quickly through this channel.

In-person requests are handled at the station at 125 Sixth Street. Bring a photo ID. Ask at the front desk for the records unit and explain what you need. If the record requires a formal request, staff will give you a form to fill out or direct you to the online system.

Middlesex County Courts

Criminal cases in Cambridge go through Middlesex County courts. Cambridge District Court handles misdemeanors and arraignments. Felony cases and more serious matters go to the Middlesex County Superior Court at 200 Trade Center, Woburn, phone (781) 939-2700.

All Middlesex County court dockets are searchable through masscourts.org. You can look up cases by defendant name, case number, or docket number. The search returns case status, charges, hearing history, and final disposition. This is the most accurate and up-to-date source for court record information in Cambridge.

For cases that are not online, visit the clerk's office at the relevant court. Older cases and some specialized filings may be paper-only. Clerk's office staff can look up cases by name and provide copies of documents. Fees for certified copies vary by court and document type.

Middlesex County Sheriff

The Middlesex County Sheriff's Department is at 12 Gill Street, Suite 4700, Woburn, MA 01801, phone (781) 960-2800, website www.middlesexsheriff.org. The department operates the Middlesex House of Correction in Billerica and the Cambridge Jail for pretrial detainees. Inmate information can be looked up through the sheriff's online tools.

For people sentenced to state prison, use the Massachusetts Department of Correction inmate locator. County jail and house of correction hold people serving up to 2.5 years and those awaiting trial. State facilities hold people serving longer sentences.

CORI and Criminal History in Cambridge

Massachusetts maintains criminal history records through the CORI system. Under MGL c. 6, § 167, CORI includes arrests, charges, and outcomes for individuals 18 and older. It is a statewide system managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, not by local police or courts.

MGL c. 6, § 172 controls who can see what on a CORI report. Non-conviction records are the most open: they can be addressed for sealing right away. Misdemeanor convictions stay on standard background checks for five years after the case ends. Felony convictions remain visible for 10 years. After those time periods pass, the records do not show up in standard CORI results.

Cambridge residents can check their own CORI for free at www.mass.gov/icori. You do not need a lawyer or a special account. The self-request shows your complete criminal history as it exists in the state's records. It is useful if you want to verify that a sealing was processed or to see what is currently visible.

Third-party background check companies also pull CORI data for employers and landlords who have an authorized account. The level of detail they can see depends on their authorization category. Individuals always have the right to request their own record and correct errors through the CORI system.

Sealing and Expungement Options

Sealing a record removes it from public view. Under MGL c. 276, § 100A, the waiting period is three years for misdemeanors and seven years for felonies. The clock starts from the date of conviction or release from custody, whichever comes last. Once sealed, the record is not visible in standard iCORI results.

Non-conviction records, meaning charges that were dismissed or cases where no guilty finding was entered, qualify for automatic sealing under MGL c. 276, § 100C. There is no waiting period. The court processes these automatically in many cases, but you can also file a petition if yours has not been addressed.

Expungement goes further by destroying the record entirely. MGL c. 276, §§ 100E through 100U sets the rules. Eligibility is narrow: generally first-time offenses, low-level crimes, and cases where enough time has passed. Cambridge residents who think they may qualify should consult a lawyer before filing. The process involves a petition to the court that handled the original case.

District Attorney for Cambridge Cases

Cambridge is in Middlesex County, so the Middlesex County District Attorney handles prosecution here. The office is at 15 Commonwealth Avenue, Woburn, phone (781) 897-8300, website www.middlesexda.com. The DA covers all of Middlesex County, which is the most populous county in Massachusetts.

Case records from DA prosecutions are part of the public court docket. Use masscourts.org to look up filings, charges, and outcomes. If you need certified copies of charging documents or sentencing orders, contact the Middlesex Superior Court clerk's office at 200 Trade Center, Woburn.

Cambridge Online Arrest Record Resources

Third-party sites compile Middlesex County criminal records from public sources. The site at massachusettscourtrecords.us/middlesex/arrest-records/ aggregates publicly available data for the Middlesex County area. These sites are not official government databases. They may be useful for quick searches but should not replace official verification.

For the most reliable information, use the MassCourts portal for court records and the Cambridge Police public log for arrest entries. CORI self-requests through iCORI are the definitive source for state criminal history.

Sex Offender Registry

The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board at www.mass.gov/sorb lists Level 2 and Level 3 registered sex offenders. The public search is available by name or city. Cambridge is a densely populated city, and the registry covers addresses there as it does everywhere in the state. Level 1 offenders are not included in the public-facing search tool.

Domestic Violence Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby Massachusetts cities have their own arrest records pages with local information and contacts.

Middlesex County Records

Cambridge is in Middlesex County. County-level court records, the sheriff's department, and related resources are covered on the county page.