Fall River Arrest Records
Arrest records for Fall River, Massachusetts are kept by the Fall River Police Department and processed through Bristol County courts. This page explains how to request police logs, search court cases, and access CORI reports for Fall River residents and anyone arrested in the city.
Fall River Overview
Fall River Police Department Records
The Fall River Police Department is located at 685 Pleasant Street, Fall River, MA 02721. The main number is (508) 676-8511. The Records Division can be reached at extension 222. The department's website is at fallriverpd.com, where you can find forms and department contacts.
Massachusetts requires all police departments to make their daily activity logs public. MGL c. 41, § 98F mandates that police logs are open for public inspection. Fall River Police logs list arrests, incident types, dates, and other basic information from each shift. These logs are one of the most direct ways to check for recent arrest activity in the city.
To request a specific arrest record, call the Records Division at (508) 676-8511, ext. 222. You may also visit the station or check the department website for online request options. Under MGL c. 66, § 10, the department must respond within 10 business days of a formal public records request. Copy costs are $0.05 per page. Staff time for research is free for the first two hours, and $25 per hour after that.
Bristol County Court Records
Fall River criminal cases are heard at Fall River District Court for misdemeanors and lower-level charges. Serious felony cases go to Bristol County Superior Court, which has a Fall River location at 186 South Main Street. Fall River is one of several court locations in Bristol County, which also has a courthouse in New Bedford and Taunton.
You can search court records for free at masscourts.org. The public docket system shows case numbers, party names, charges, and status updates. If you need certified copies of documents, you must request them at the clerk's office in person or by mail. There is a fee for certified copies.
Some records are off limits. Juvenile case files are sealed. Domestic violence records are restricted under MGL c. 41, § 97D. Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear in a public docket search. If a record existed but has been expunged, the system treats it as if it never existed.
CORI Reports
The Massachusetts CORI system is the main statewide criminal history database. It is governed by MGL c. 6, § 167. CORI tracks arrests, charges, and case outcomes for people 18 and older throughout the state. This includes Fall River cases filed through Bristol County courts.
Anyone can request their own CORI at no cost. Go to the iCORI portal at mass.gov, create an account, and submit a request. Results come back quickly, usually the same day. You will see all charges and arrests tied to your record in Massachusetts.
Records fall off CORI after set periods under MGL c. 6, § 172. Misdemeanor convictions drop off after five years. Felony convictions drop off after ten years. Non-conviction records, which include dismissed and acquitted cases, come off right away. Sealed records do not appear on standard CORI at all. The full state guide to CORI is at mass.gov.
Bristol County Sheriff's Office
The Bristol County Sheriff operates two facilities. The Bristol County House of Correction is at 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747. Phone: (508) 995-6400. Website: bcso-ma.org. A second location, the Ash Street Jail, is in New Bedford. People arrested in Fall River may be held at either facility after arraignment if they cannot post bail.
The sheriff's website has an inmate search tool. You can check whether someone is currently in county custody. The sheriff does not create or hold arrest records from the Fall River Police Department. For those records, contact the police directly. For people serving state sentences, use the Department of Correction database at mass.gov/doc.
District Attorney: Bristol County
The Bristol County District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases for all of Bristol County, including Fall River. The DA has a Fall River office at 139 South Main Street, Fall River. The main DA office is in New Bedford at 7 North 6th Street, and can be reached at (508) 997-4511. Website: bristolda.com.
The DA does not give arrest records directly to the public. Once a case goes to court, the court file is public and can be accessed through the clerk's office. The DA's office posts press releases about notable cases on their website. These can be useful for researching recent high-profile arrests in Fall River.
Sex Offender Registry
The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board lists Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders in a public database. Search by name, city, or zip code at mass.gov/sorb. Level 1 offenders are not in the public database. The SORB site is the official and most reliable source for checking whether someone in Fall River is a registered sex offender.
Sealing and Expungement
Massachusetts law offers two ways to limit access to a Fall River arrest record. Sealing makes the record invisible in most public CORI checks. Expungement removes it entirely.
To seal a conviction, you must wait. Under MGL c. 276, § 100A, the wait is three years for misdemeanors and seven years for felonies. Both periods start from the later of the conviction date or the release date. You file a petition at the court that handled the original case, either Fall River District Court or Bristol County Superior Court.
Non-conviction records are treated differently. Under MGL c. 276, § 100C, cases that ended in dismissal or acquittal are supposed to seal automatically. They should not show on a standard CORI check. If they are still appearing, you can file a motion to enforce the seal.
Expungement is available for some cases under MGL c. 276, §§ 100E through 100U. This process destroys the record, not just seals it. Eligibility is narrow. Cases involving violence, weapons, or sex offenses do not qualify. A judge must approve all expungement petitions. If granted, the record is gone from all state systems.
Bristol County legal aid organizations can help Fall River residents who want to pursue sealing or expungement. Services are often available at low or no cost for people who meet income guidelines.
Additional Resources
Note: An arrest record shows a charge was filed, not that the person is guilty. Cases may be dropped or result in acquittal. All individuals are presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise.
Massachusetts State Police also respond to incidents in Fall River and the region. If you need State Police records from incidents in the city or on state roads, request them at mass.gov/state-police-public-records. State Police maintain their own records separate from the Fall River Police Department.
For a broader view of Bristol County case records, visit massachusettscourtrecords.us/bristol. Always cross-check what you find there with official court or police sources before relying on the information.
If you have questions about a specific case or need legal help, the Massachusetts Bar Association offers a referral service that can connect you with attorneys who handle criminal record matters in Bristol County.
Nearby Cities
Search arrest records for cities near Fall River:
Bristol County Records
Fall River is located in Bristol County. For county-wide arrest record details, court locations, and sheriff's office contact information, visit the Bristol County arrest records page.