Dukes County Arrest Records

Dukes County arrest records come from six independent police departments serving Martha's Vineyard and the small island of Gosnold. The county has a unique structure: six towns on Martha's Vineyard each operate their own police force, and the county Sheriff runs a small jail rather than providing police services. Arrest records are available through local island police, the Sheriff's Office for booking data, and the state court and iCORI systems.

Dukes County Sheriff's Office

The Dukes County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail at 9B Airport Road in Edgartown, MA 02539. The Sheriff handles jail operations and booking records for people detained after arrest on the island. For recent arrest inquiries, call (508) 627-5173. For arrest records specifically, use the direct line at (508) 627-7780. The fax number is (508) 627-7903.

Like the Franklin County Sheriff, the Dukes County Sheriff does not serve as a street-level police agency. Arrests are made by the town police departments and the State Police. Once someone is brought to the jail, the Sheriff takes over custody. Booking records held by the Sheriff reflect who has been brought to the facility, but the original arrest reports remain with the police department that made the arrest.

The island location creates some logistical considerations. If you are requesting records in person, travel requires a ferry or flight. Written requests by mail are often the most practical option for off-island residents. Give as much detail as you can in the request: the name, approximate date of arrest, and the town where it happened. This helps staff locate the right records faster.

Martha's Vineyard Police Departments

Martha's Vineyard has six independent police departments, one for each town. Each department keeps its own arrest logs and records. Under MGL c. 41, § 98F, police logs must be open to the public. You can request logs showing arrests, detentions, and incidents from any of these departments.

Edgartown Police is the largest department and is at 72 Pease's Point Way South, Edgartown, MA 02539, phone (508) 627-4343. Edgartown is the county seat and has the most government activity. Oak Bluffs Police at 4 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, phone (508) 693-0750, covers one of the busiest tourist areas on the island. During summer months, both departments see a significant increase in activity.

Tisbury Police serves Vineyard Haven at 67 Spring Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, phone (508) 696-4215. Vineyard Haven is where the main ferry terminal is located. West Tisbury Police at 555 Old County Road, West Tisbury, phone (508) 696-0107, and Chilmark Police at 6 State Road, Chilmark, phone (508) 645-3310, cover the more rural western end of the island. Aquinnah Police at 65 State Road, Aquinnah, phone (508) 645-9114, serves the small community at the island's western tip.

The Massachusetts State Police also maintain a barracks on the island. The Oak Bluffs barracks can be reached at (508) 693-0545. State Police handle some incidents and also back up town departments when needed. State Police arrest records from Dukes County are available through the State Police public records page.

Dukes County Courts

Dukes County Superior Court is at 81 Main Street in Edgartown, MA 02539. This court handles serious felony cases and is the highest trial court in the county. The District Attorney's Office for Dukes County is at 32A Main Street, Edgartown, phone (508) 627-9226. The DA prosecutes all criminal cases in the county.

Edgartown District Court at 81 Main Street, phone (508) 627-3751, handles misdemeanors, arraignments, and lower-level criminal matters. Most cases in Dukes County start here. Because the island is small and the court docket is accordingly manageable, the clerk's office is often accessible by phone for basic case information.

Court records can be searched online through the MassCourts public access portal. You can look up cases by name or case number, and the system shows charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. Under MGL c. 66, § 10, records must be provided within 10 days of a request. Copy fees are $0.05 per page with two free hours of staff time and $25 per hour after that.

iCORI and State Criminal Records

The iCORI system is the state's primary criminal records database. It covers arrests, charges, and dispositions statewide, including those from Dukes County. Under MGL c. 6, § 167, the system applies to people 18 and older who have been arrested, charged, or held in the state.

Access rules under MGL c. 6, § 172 vary by record type. Non-conviction records are immediately available to the subject. Misdemeanor records carry a five-year wait. Felony records carry a ten-year wait. Certain organizations and agencies have broader access. If you are checking your own record, you see everything with no delay.

Island residents can use iCORI the same as anyone else in the state. The system is online and accessible from anywhere. For a broader look at available data, the statewide arrest records directory offers a reference view of publicly available information across the state.

Record Sealing and Expungement

People with records from Dukes County arrests can seek sealing or expungement under state law. Sealing keeps a record out of public searches while courts and law enforcement can still see it. Expungement removes the record from state systems entirely.

Under MGL c. 276, § 100A, misdemeanor records can be petitioned for sealing after three years from the end of the case. Felony records require seven years. The waiting period runs from the last day of incarceration, probation, or parole. Under MGL c. 276, § 100C, records from dismissed cases and acquittals seal without a petition once the case closes.

Expungement is available in limited situations under MGL c. 276, §§ 100E-100U, primarily for cases involving people who were young at the time. The Edgartown District Court clerk or the District Attorney's Office can explain eligibility. Because the island community is small, the court staff are often familiar with common scenarios and can give direct guidance.

Seasonal Population and Summer Arrests

Martha's Vineyard has a year-round population of around 20,000 but sees several times that number during summer months. The island's seasonal population can exceed 100,000 visitors at peak times. This seasonal surge affects the volume of arrest records and the workload of all island police departments.

If you are searching for records from an incident that happened during the summer, be aware that response times from smaller departments may be longer during and immediately after the peak season. Mail requests are often processed in the order received. Giving a specific date, name, and town helps staff locate records more quickly.

The State Police Oak Bluffs barracks also handles more activity during summer months, particularly on weekends. Their records follow the same public records process as all State Police records.

Additional State Resources

The Sex Offender Registry Board lists Level 2 and Level 3 offenders by name and location. You can search for offenders living or working in Dukes County. The registry applies to the islands just as it does to mainland communities.

The Department of Correction holds records for people serving sentences over two and a half years at state prisons. Anyone from Dukes County who received a longer sentence would be at a mainland DOC facility. DOC records and the county jail records are entirely separate systems.

Island Towns in Dukes County

Dukes County includes the six Martha's Vineyard towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), and West Tisbury, plus the small island community of Gosnold. None of these towns currently meet the population threshold for dedicated city pages on this site. For arrest records from any of these communities, use the police department contacts listed above or the statewide tools described in this page.

Nearby Counties