Find New Bedford Felony Records
New Bedford felony records are filed and maintained through the Bristol County court system, with serious charges handled at the New Bedford Superior Court. New Bedford is one of the largest cities in Massachusetts with a population near 100,000 and serves as a major court hub for Bristol County. This page covers where to search criminal records, how to access CORI information, and what courts handle felony cases in New Bedford.
New Bedford Overview
New Bedford Felony Records: The Court System
New Bedford has both a district court and a superior court located in the city, which is unusual for Massachusetts. Most cities rely on a county courthouse in a different town for superior court matters. In New Bedford, felony arraignments happen at the New Bedford District Court on North 6th Street, and serious felony trials take place at the New Bedford Superior Court on County Street. Both are accessible in the city center.
The New Bedford District Court at 75 North 6th Street handles arraignments, bail hearings, and many felony preliminary matters. For cases with lengthy potential sentences or jury trials, the case transfers to the superior court. The district court clerk can provide docket information and case status. Call (508) 991-2300 for assistance. Fax lines are available for attorneys and other officials.
The New Bedford Superior Court at 441 County Street handles major felony trials and maintains the most complete records of felony convictions. Call (508) 991-2600 to reach the clerk's office. Both courts are searchable through the MassCourts system at masscourts.org. Searching online is the fastest way to check case status before making a trip.
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| New Bedford District Court | 75 North 6th Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 | (508) 991-2300 |
| New Bedford Superior Court | 441 County Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 | (508) 991-2600 |
| Probate and Family Court | 505 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 | (508) 999-5249 |
| New Bedford Police Records | 871 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740 | (508) 991-6300 |
Searching New Bedford Felony Records Online
MassCourts is the best starting point for an online search. The system is free and covers both the district and superior courts in New Bedford. Search by the person's full name or by a case number if you have it. Results show charges, docket activity, and case status. Some records are sealed or restricted, and those will not appear in a public search.
For older records or county-level case searches, contact the Bristol County Superior Court clerk's office directly. The clerk can help locate case files that may not be fully indexed online. Always verify results through the official MassCourts system when accuracy matters.
DCJIS manages the statewide CORI database. If you want a report on your own criminal history, you can request it for $25. The fee is waived for indigent individuals. Under MGL Chapter 6, DCJIS maintains all criminal offense records statewide, including those from New Bedford cases. Contact DCJIS at (617) 660-4600 or visit the CORI page on mass.gov to start a request.
For county-level searches across Bristol County courts, masscourts.org lets you look up cases from any court in the county. This can be useful when you are not sure which specific court handled a matter.
New Bedford District Court Records
The New Bedford District Court listing on the official Massachusetts court portal has current contact details and hours for the clerk's office.
You can view the New Bedford District Court page on mass.gov to confirm office hours and directions before visiting in person.
The district court clerk's office maintains docket sheets, complaint documents, and bail records for all cases that start in New Bedford. These records are public unless sealed by court order. If you need a certified copy of a docket or complaint, request it in person at the clerk's window or by mail with a written request and any required fees.
The Bristol County court records portal provides a county-level overview of case information and resources.
Bristol County court records cover New Bedford as well as Fall River, Taunton, and other cities in the county. The Bristol County Superior Court listing on mass.gov has address and contact information for each division.
New Bedford Police Arrest Records
The New Bedford Police Department keeps arrest records for incidents that happen in the city. The Records Division is at 871 Rockdale Avenue. Call (508) 991-6300 to ask about the process for getting copies of arrest reports. You may need to submit a written request and pay a fee. Arrest records from the police are different from court records. The police record documents the arrest itself. The court record covers what happened during prosecution.
Arrest records from New Bedford also feed into the statewide CORI system managed by DCJIS. This means an arrest in New Bedford may appear on a CORI report even before the case goes to court. If you believe a record is inaccurate, DCJIS has a process for challenging errors. Contact them at (617) 660-4600 for details.
CORI Laws and Felony Record Lookback in New Bedford
Massachusetts law sets clear time limits on how long felony records appear in CORI reports. Most felony convictions stay on a report for 10 years from conviction or release from incarceration, whichever is later. Murder and sex offense convictions have no lookback limit. These rules apply to all New Bedford cases under MGL Chapter 6.
Sealing a felony conviction in Massachusetts requires a 7-year wait after the conviction or release date under MGL Chapter 276, Section 100A. Once sealed, the record no longer shows on standard CORI checks. Law enforcement can still access sealed records. New Bedford residents who want to seal old felony records can get guidance from DCJIS or through MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org, which has plain-language guides on the sealing process.
Legal Help for Felony Cases in New Bedford
People facing felony charges in New Bedford have access to public defenders through the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS). CPCS assigns counsel to anyone who qualifies financially. Call (617) 482-6212 to learn about eligibility. Attorneys are appointed at arraignment if the person cannot afford private counsel.
South Coast Legal Services covers Bristol County and provides free civil legal help for low-income residents. While they do not handle criminal defense, they can help with related civil matters such as housing or family issues that sometimes arise during a felony case. New Bedford also has a law library at the courthouse that is open to the public for legal research. MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org has guides on CORI rights, sealing, and how the criminal justice process works in Massachusetts.
Nearby Cities
Felony records for nearby Massachusetts cities are available through the Bristol County court system and state databases.
Bristol County Felony Records
New Bedford is the largest city in Bristol County. All felony cases from the city run through the Bristol County court system. The county page has more on courthouse locations, clerk contacts, and county-wide criminal record resources.