Access Fall River Felony Records
Fall River felony records are processed through the Bristol County court system, with both a local district court and superior court serving the city. Fall River sits along the Taunton River in Bristol County and has about 89,000 residents. This page explains how to search criminal records for Fall River cases, what courts are involved, and how Massachusetts state systems provide access to felony and criminal history data.
Fall River Overview
Fall River Felony Records: Courts and Case Flow
Felony cases in Fall River begin at the Fall River District Court on Rock Street. This is where arraignments take place and where a judge sets bail. Cases that involve serious charges or that go to jury trial move to the Fall River Superior Court on North Main Street. Fall River is one of the few Massachusetts cities with its own superior court location, which means most criminal proceedings can stay local.
The Fall River District Court at 45 Rock Street handles arraignments, bail hearings, and many misdemeanor cases. It also takes some felony matters where the defendant waives superior court rights. Call (508) 673-2922 for the clerk's office. A separate fax line handles civil matters at (508) 491-3492, and criminal matters at (508) 646-3596. The court is part of the Bristol County trial court district.
The Fall River Superior Court at 441 North Main Street is the venue for serious felony trials. Call (508) 824-9405 to reach that clerk. Superior court records include indictments, jury verdicts, sentencing orders, and post-trial motions. These are public records unless sealed. The Fall River Juvenile Court at 289 Rock Street handles cases involving minors and keeps those records under tighter access rules. A Probate and Family Court is also at 289 Rock Street for family-related matters.
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Fall River District Court | 45 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720 | (508) 673-2922 |
| Fall River Superior Court | 441 North Main Street, Fall River, MA 02720 | (508) 824-9405 |
| Fall River Juvenile Court | 289 Rock Street, 4th Floor, Fall River, MA 02720 | (508) 676-0090 |
| Fall River Police Records | 685 Pleasant Street, Fall River, MA 02723 | (508) 676-8511 |
How to Search Fall River Felony Records
MassCourts is the free state portal for searching court records. Go to masscourts.org and search by name or case number. The system covers both the Fall River District Court and the Fall River Superior Court. You can see party names, charges, docket entries, and case outcomes. Sealed records and juvenile cases are not visible.
For felony records at the county level, masscourts.org covers all Bristol County courts. This can help when searching for older cases or when you are unsure which specific court handled a matter. The clerk's office at either Bristol County Superior Court location can also assist with locating case files.
The statewide CORI system through DCJIS is another key resource. Individuals can get their own criminal history report for $25 under MGL Chapter 6. If you qualify for the indigency waiver, the fee is not charged. DCJIS maintains records from all Massachusetts courts, including Fall River. Call (617) 660-4600 or visit mass.gov for more information on submitting a CORI request.
Fall River Court Records and Images
The Massachusetts court portal lists the Fall River District Court with current hours and clerk contact information.
You can view the Fall River District Court listing on mass.gov before visiting to confirm address and hours. The clerk's office is the right starting point for docket records and certified copies of court documents.
Bristol County criminal records cover all courts across the county, including Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton.
Bristol County's court system serves Fall River and other cities in the county. For broad county-level searches, use masscourts.org to look up cases from any Bristol County court in one place.
Fall River Police Department Arrest Records
The Fall River Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents that occur in the city. The Records Division is at the main station at 685 Pleasant Street. Call (508) 676-8511 to ask about how to request copies of arrest records. You may need to submit a written request and pay a fee. Arrest records show the police side of a matter, which is separate from court case records. The court file covers what happened during prosecution.
Fall River arrests also feed into the statewide CORI database. An arrest can appear on a CORI report even if charges are later dropped. If there is an error on a CORI report tied to a Fall River arrest, DCJIS has a process for challenging it. Contact DCJIS at (617) 660-4600 for guidance on correcting or disputing a record.
Felony Record Lookback and Sealing in Fall River
Massachusetts sets specific time limits for how long felony records appear on CORI reports. Most felony convictions show for 10 years from the conviction date or from when the person was released, whichever is later. Murder and sex offenses have no lookback limit. These rules apply to all Fall River cases under MGL Chapter 6.
Under MGL Chapter 276, Section 100A, a person can petition to seal a felony conviction after 7 years. Once a record is sealed, it does not appear on standard public CORI checks. Law enforcement can still see sealed records. Fall River residents who want to seal old felony records should contact DCJIS or review guides at masslegalhelp.org.
Legal Help for Fall River Felony Cases
Anyone facing felony charges in Fall River who cannot afford a lawyer can contact the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) at (617) 482-6212. CPCS assigns public defenders to qualifying individuals. Attorneys are appointed at arraignment. If you are in custody, the court will assign counsel as part of the arraignment process.
South Coast Legal Services covers Bristol County and handles civil legal matters for low-income residents. They do not take criminal defense cases but may help with civil issues that come up alongside a criminal case. For information on CORI rights, the sealing process, and how to navigate criminal records, MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org has free guides written in plain language. The Fall River courthouse law library is also open to the public for legal research.
Nearby Cities
Felony records for nearby Massachusetts cities run through the same Bristol County courts and state databases.
Bristol County Felony Records
Fall River is one of Bristol County's largest cities. All felony cases from the city go through the Bristol County court system. The county page has more on clerk contacts, courthouse details, and county-wide criminal record resources.