Find New Bedford Arrest Records
Arrest records for New Bedford, Massachusetts are maintained by the New Bedford Police Department and filed through the Bristol County court system. This page covers how to access police logs, court case records, CORI reports, and jail records for New Bedford and the surrounding Bristol County area.
New Bedford Overview
New Bedford Police Department Records
The New Bedford Police Department handles law enforcement for the city. The station is at 871 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740. The main number is (508) 991-6300. The Records Division is available at extension 27107. Records Division hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Under MGL c. 41, § 98F, New Bedford Police are required to keep daily activity logs available to the public. These logs include arrest entries, incident types, dates, and names. The logs are a key source for anyone looking to find out if someone was arrested in the city recently. You can find the department's public pages at newbedford-ma.gov/police-department.
To get a specific record, visit the Records Division at the station during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. You will need to fill out a request form and pay any applicable fees. Under MGL c. 66, § 10, the department has 10 business days to respond to formal public records requests. Copy fees are $0.05 per page. Staff time for records retrieval is free for the first two hours. After that, it is $25 per hour.
Bristol County Court Records
New Bedford criminal cases are handled at New Bedford District Court for lower charges and at Bristol County Superior Court for felonies. The Superior Court in New Bedford is at 441 County Street, New Bedford. Both courts are in the city, which is also the county seat for Bristol County.
Court records can be searched online through masscourts.org. The public docket system is free and shows case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. Certified copies require a fee and must be requested in person at the clerk's office. Staff can help you locate case files if you have a name, date, or case number.
Not everything is public. Juvenile records are sealed by law. Cases involving domestic violence are restricted under MGL c. 41, § 97D. Records that have been sealed or expunged will not show up in public searches. If you believe a record was sealed improperly, you may need a court order to access it.
CORI Reports
The Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information system, known as CORI, is the state's main criminal history database. It is governed by MGL c. 6, § 167. CORI tracks arrests, charges, and case dispositions for all Massachusetts residents 18 and older. Access is not open to the general public for checking on other people. The level of access depends on who is asking.
Individuals can get their own CORI for free through the iCORI portal at mass.gov. Sign up for an account, confirm your identity, and submit your request. Results usually come back the same day. You will see your full criminal history, including any New Bedford arrests.
Under MGL c. 6, § 172, records drop off CORI after a set number of years. Misdemeanor convictions age off after five years. Felony convictions age off after ten years. Non-conviction records, like dismissed charges and not-guilty verdicts, fall off immediately. Sealed records are removed from standard CORI access altogether. The state's full guide to CORI law is at mass.gov.
Bristol County Sheriff's Office
The Bristol County Sheriff's Office runs two detention facilities in the county. The main facility is the Bristol County House of Correction at 400 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747. The phone is (508) 995-6400. Website: bcso-ma.org. A second facility, the Ash Street Jail, is in New Bedford itself. The sheriff's website has an inmate search tool that lets you check whether someone is currently in custody.
The sheriff holds pre-trial detainees who cannot post bail and people sentenced to short terms. They do not maintain the original arrest records from the New Bedford Police Department. For arrest records, contact the police directly. For people serving longer state sentences, check the Department of Correction database at mass.gov/doc.
District Attorney: Bristol County
The Bristol County District Attorney handles criminal prosecution for the county, including all New Bedford cases. The DA's New Bedford office is at 7 North 6th Street, New Bedford. Phone: (508) 997-4511. Website: bristolda.com.
The DA does not share individual arrest records with the public. Once a case reaches the courts, the file is part of the public court record and accessible through the clerk's office. The DA's website does publish press releases for notable cases and may have useful information for high-profile matters.
Sex Offender Registry
Massachusetts has a public sex offender registry. The Sex Offender Registry Board lists Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. You can search by name, city, or zip code at mass.gov/sorb. Level 1 offenders are not listed publicly. New Bedford, as one of the larger cities in the state, has registered sex offenders across all levels. The SORB database is the official and most reliable source for this information.
Sealing and Expungement
If you have a New Bedford arrest on your record and want to limit public access to it, two main options exist under Massachusetts law: sealing and expungement.
Sealing hides a record from most CORI searches but does not destroy it. Under MGL c. 276, § 100A, misdemeanor convictions are eligible for sealing after three years. Felony convictions are eligible after seven years. The clock runs from the date of conviction or release, whichever is later. You file the petition with the court where the case was originally heard.
Non-conviction records are handled under MGL c. 276, § 100C. Cases that ended in dismissal, acquittal, or no charges seal automatically. They should not appear on standard CORI. If they are still showing up, you may need to petition the court to enforce the sealing.
Expungement is available under MGL c. 276, §§ 100E through 100U. This removes the record completely rather than just sealing it. Eligibility is strict. Violent offenses, sex offenses, and several other categories do not qualify. A judge must approve each request. If granted, the record is deleted from all systems.
Additional Resources
Note: An arrest record does not prove guilt. It shows that charges were filed. Cases may be dismissed or result in acquittal. All persons are presumed innocent until a court rules otherwise.
Massachusetts State Police may also have records related to incidents in New Bedford, particularly for major crimes or incidents on state roads and highways. State Police records can be requested at mass.gov/state-police-public-records.
For a broader search of Bristol County records, visit massachusettscourtrecords.us/bristol as a starting point. Always confirm what you find against official police or court sources.
Bristol County legal aid organizations can assist New Bedford residents who need help requesting records, filing sealing petitions, or pursuing expungement. These services are often free or low-cost for those who qualify.
Nearby Cities
Search arrest records for cities near New Bedford:
Bristol County Records
New Bedford is in Bristol County and serves as the county seat. For county-wide arrest record information, courthouse locations, and sheriff details, visit the Bristol County arrest records page.