Taunton Felony Records Search
Taunton felony records are maintained through the Taunton District Court and the Bristol County Superior Court, both accessible at or near 9 Court Street in downtown Taunton. Taunton serves as one of two county seats for Bristol County, making it a hub for felony case filings in the region. Whether you need to look up a specific case, verify charges, or request certified documents, the MassCourts portal at masscourts.org lets you search public docket records from both courts at no cost. A full statewide criminal history is available through the DCJIS CORI system for $25.
Taunton Overview
Taunton Felony Records: Court Structure
Felony cases in Taunton move through two courts. The Taunton District Court at 40 Broadway handles arraignments, bail hearings, and pretrial proceedings for local felony and misdemeanor cases. More serious felony charges get bound over to the Bristol County Superior Court at 9 Court Street for trial. Taunton is one of two county seats in Bristol County, the other being New Bedford, and both cities have Superior Court facilities.
The Bristol County Superior Court in Taunton handles serious felony cases from the northern and central parts of Bristol County. Cases from Fall River and New Bedford area communities may go to the New Bedford Superior Court instead. If you are not sure which Superior Court location handled a specific case, the MassCourts portal search at masscourts.org will show you which court has the docket.
Taunton's courthouse location makes it convenient for people searching records. The district court and superior court are both accessible in or near downtown. Walk-in records requests are handled by the clerk's office at each court. If you need certified copies, bring a case number and allow extra time since the clerk's office processes requests as staff are available.
Taunton Court and Police Contact Details
The Taunton District Court and Taunton Superior Court are both downtown. The Taunton Police Department records division handles arrest records for incidents within city limits. Bristol County Probate and Family Court also has a Taunton location for civil family matters.
| District Court | Taunton District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Phone | (508) 977-6000 |
| Superior Court | Bristol County Superior Court, 9 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Superior Phone | (508) 823-8301 |
| Police Department | 23 Crapo Street, Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Police Phone | (508) 823-5000 |
| Online Search | masscourts.org |
The Taunton District Court page on mass.gov has current hours and session schedules. The Bristol County Superior Court page covers the superior court location. Both pages are updated when hours or schedules change, which happens around court holidays and session breaks.
Taunton Felony Records Through CORI
The CORI system run by DCJIS at (617) 660-4600 is the broadest source for felony history in Massachusetts. CORI reports pull from court data across the state, not just Bristol County. A single request can show charges from multiple counties if someone has a history in more than one jurisdiction.
Personal CORI requests cost $25 and are submitted through the iCORI portal at mass.gov. The fee is waived for indigent individuals. Under MGL Chapter 6, DCJIS manages access to criminal offender records and sets the rules for each type of requester. Felony convictions are visible in CORI for ten years from the end of the sentence. Convictions for murder, sex offenses, and certain other serious crimes have no time limit and stay visible indefinitely.
The Taunton District Court image below shows the courthouse at 40 Broadway where local felony cases are first heard before potentially moving to Superior Court.
The Taunton District Court handles arraignments, bail hearings, and pretrial proceedings for felony cases in Taunton. More serious charges are bound over to the Bristol County Superior Court a few blocks away at 9 Court Street.
If you believe your CORI report contains an error, DCJIS has a formal dispute process. You can request a copy of your own record first, then file a challenge if something is wrong. The rules and process are set out under MGL Chapter 6.
Bristol County Felony Records and Taunton's Role
Bristol County has two county seats and two Superior Court locations. Taunton handles cases from the northern and central parts of the county. New Bedford handles the southern end. This split can be confusing if you are trying to figure out which Superior Court location has a specific case file. The fastest way to check is through the MassCourts portal, which will tell you the court location for any case you search.
For official case searches, use masscourts.org to look up records from both Bristol County Superior Court locations. The clerk's office at each courthouse can also help you locate specific case files and get certified copies when needed.
The Bristol County Superior Court image below shows the county-level court where Taunton felony trials are held.
Bristol County Superior Court in Taunton handles the most serious felony cases from the northern and central parts of Bristol County, including major drug, assault, and property crime charges that rise to the felony level.
The Bristol County DA's office prosecutes felony cases from across the county. For major cases, press releases and public information may be available on the DA's website. For specific case records, the court clerk's office is the right contact.
Sealing Taunton Felony Records
If you have a felony conviction from a Taunton case, you may be able to seal it after a seven-year waiting period. That waiting period runs from the end of your sentence, including any probation. Under MGL Chapter 276, Section 100A, a sealed record will not appear in standard public court searches. It will not show up in most civilian CORI requests either. Law enforcement can still access sealed records, but they become much less visible to the general public.
The sealing petition goes to the court that handled your case. For Taunton felony cases, that is either the Taunton District Court or the Bristol County Superior Court. The clerk's office at either court can give you the petition form. There is no filing fee. A judge will review the petition, and a hearing may or may not be required.
Expungement in Massachusetts is limited to dismissed cases, acquittals, and certain juvenile records. Most adult felony convictions cannot be expunged, so sealing is the practical option. The MassLegalHelp website has plain-language guides on the sealing process and CORI rights. South Coastal Counties Legal Services serves Bristol County and may be able to help residents who qualify for free legal help with record sealing.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Taunton have felony records pages with local court information and search resources.
Bristol County Felony Records
Taunton is a county seat of Bristol County. Serious felony cases from the northern part of the county are tried at Bristol County Superior Court in Taunton. See the county page for more on Bristol County records.