Find Peabody Felony Records
Peabody felony records are maintained by the Essex County court system, with serious criminal cases going to the Essex County Superior Court in Salem. Peabody is a North Shore city of about 54,000 residents in Essex County. This page explains which courts handle Peabody felony cases, how to search records online and in person, what the Peabody District Court covers, and how Massachusetts state law governs access to criminal history information for residents and the public.
Peabody Overview
Peabody Felony Records and the Essex County Courts
Felony cases in Peabody are handled at two levels. The Peabody District Court at 15 Pleasant Street handles arraignments, bail hearings, and early proceedings. Call that court at (978) 531-3100. If the case goes to trial or involves a charge that carries state prison time, it moves to the Essex County Superior Court at 145 Federal Street in Salem. The criminal clerk at the superior court can be reached by asking for extension 220 when you call (978) 744-5505.
Case records may be split between both courts. The district court keeps arraignment documents, bail orders, and records for cases that end at that level. The superior court keeps indictments, grand jury materials, trial transcripts, and sentencing documents. If you are not sure which court has the file, search MassCourts first. That free system covers both courts and shows where a case currently sits, what charges were filed, and how the case was resolved.
Requests for certified copies of court documents can be made in person at the clerk's office or by mail. Have the full name of the person involved, an approximate year, and a case number if you have one. Certified copies carry per-page fees. Uncertified copies reviewed in person are usually free. Processing times for mail requests vary and may be longer for older records stored off-site.
| Court or Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Peabody District Court | 15 Pleasant Street, Peabody, MA 01960 | (978) 531-3100 |
| Essex County Superior Court | 145 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 | (978) 744-5505 |
| Peabody Police Records | 6 Allman Street, Peabody, MA 01960 | (978) 745-9700 |
| Essex County DA | 10 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 | (978) 745-6610 |
Search Peabody Felony Records Online
Massachusetts offers free public access to court records through masscourts.org. Search by full name or case number. The system pulls results from the Peabody District Court and the Essex County Superior Court. You can see party names, charges, docket history, and case outcomes. Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear in the public search results.
For older records or if you are trying to locate a case number, the clerk's office at Essex County Superior Court can help. For full case files or certified documents, you need to go to the clerk's office directly. The Essex County courts page on mass.gov has additional contact and location details for local courts.
DCJIS runs the statewide CORI system and maintains criminal history data for all Massachusetts courts. Individuals can request their own CORI for $25 through DCJIS at (617) 660-4600, or for free with an indigency waiver. The CORI database includes Peabody arrest records and all court case outcomes, not just those from Essex County. It is the most thorough criminal history source in the state.
Peabody District Court and Essex County Superior Court Records
The image below shows the Peabody District Court as listed on the official Massachusetts court portal, which is the first court to handle Peabody felony arraignments.
The Peabody District Court on mass.gov has current hours, clerk contact information, and directions. The district court holds all early-stage felony records and cases resolved without transfer to the superior court.
For felony trials and more serious case records, the Essex County Superior Court in Salem is the primary source. The image below shows the Essex County Superior Court listing from the Massachusetts courts website.
The Essex County Superior Court on mass.gov lists contact details for the Salem courthouse where Peabody felony trial records are kept. The criminal clerk handles public records requests and can explain what documents are available and how to request them.
Peabody Police Department Arrest Records
The Peabody Police Department keeps arrest records for incidents in the city. The Records Division is at 6 Allman Street and can be reached at (978) 745-9700. Arrest records document what law enforcement did at the time of an arrest. They are separate from court case records, which cover proceedings after arraignment. Both may be relevant depending on what you are researching.
Arrest data from the Peabody Police Department feeds into the statewide CORI database at DCJIS. If you run a CORI check, Peabody arrest records are included there. For incident reports or records tied to a specific date, address, or person, the police Records Division is usually the right first contact. Some records may be withheld if an investigation is ongoing or if disclosure is restricted by law.
Massachusetts law treats arrests that did not lead to conviction differently from those that did. Non-conviction arrests may be sealed from public CORI reports under MGL Chapter 276. This means what you see in an online search may not match what the police department holds internally. If a record appears incomplete, sealing may explain the gap.
CORI Access and Peabody Criminal History
Massachusetts handles criminal background information through the CORI system under MGL Chapter 6. The DCJIS at (617) 660-4600 handles all CORI requests. Peabody residents can request their own criminal history report for $25, or at no cost if they meet the indigency standard. The CORI report covers all Massachusetts courts and includes Peabody felony case data.
Felony convictions stay on a public CORI report for 10 years from conviction or release, whichever is later. There is no lookback limit for murder and sex offense convictions. These rules apply across the state, including all Peabody cases handled in Essex County courts.
Sealing is available under MGL Chapter 276, Section 100A after 7 years for felony convictions. Once sealed, a record no longer appears in public CORI searches. Law enforcement agencies retain access regardless. The MassLegalHelp CORI rights guide at masslegalhelp.org is a free resource that explains eligibility and the steps to request sealing in plain language.
Essex County Sheriff and Peabody Jail Records
The Essex County Sheriff handles the county correctional facility and keeps custody records for people held there. The Essex County Sheriff's Office is at 20 Manning Avenue in Middleton and can be reached at (978) 750-1900. If someone from Peabody is held pretrial on a felony charge, they may be at the Essex County facility. The sheriff's office can confirm custody status. Custody records are separate from court case files held by the clerk.
People held in Essex County after a Peabody arrest will typically go through arraignment at the Peabody District Court first. Bail is set there, and if they are held, they transfer to the county facility. Court records showing bail conditions and detention orders are searchable through MassCourts once the case is active in the system.
Legal Help for Peabody Felony Cases
People charged with felonies in Peabody who cannot afford a private attorney can apply through the Committee for Public Counsel Services at (617) 482-6212. CPCS covers cases at the Peabody District Court and the Essex County Superior Court. The Essex County DA's office at (978) 745-6610 handles prosecution of Peabody felony cases at the county level.
For post-conviction matters including CORI disputes, sealing, and understanding your rights, MassLegalHelp at masslegalhelp.org offers free guides written in plain language. Northeast Legal Aid serves Essex County and can help with some civil matters related to criminal records. Their main office can be located through their website or through the MassLegalHelp directory.
Nearby Cities
Felony records for nearby Massachusetts cities are handled through the same Essex County and Middlesex County court systems.
Essex County Felony Records
Peabody is part of Essex County. All felony proceedings from the city go through the Essex County court system. The county page has more on courthouse locations, clerk contacts, and countywide records resources.