Norfolk County Felony Records Search

Norfolk County felony records are held at the Superior Court in Dedham and through several district courts across the county. If you need to look up a criminal case, find out the status of charges, or get copies of court documents, this guide covers every access method available to the public in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

Norfolk County Superior Court and Felony Records

The Norfolk County Superior Court handles all serious felony cases in the county. It sits at 649 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026, and can be reached at (781) 329-4770. Court hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This court takes on felony charges, appeals from lower courts, civil disputes over $50,000, and medical malpractice tribunals. Most Norfolk County felony records you will want to access originate here.

The Norfolk County Superior Court maintains the full criminal docket for felony cases. That includes complaints, indictments, arraignment records, bail determinations, motions, plea agreements, trial documents, verdict forms, and sentencing orders. Each case gets a docket sheet that lists every event in order. You can view these in person at the clerk's office or search through the online portal.

The court that serves Norfolk County offers two ways to get copies. Regular copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $3.00 per page. If you need documents mailed, call ahead and confirm what you need before sending payment.

The official state portal for Norfolk County felony records is masscourts.org. From the home page, go to Superior Court, then choose Norfolk County. Search results cap at 75 per page, so narrow your search by name or case number if you get too many hits. The portal shows case status, charges, court dates, and docket entries. It does not give you full document downloads, but it tells you what exists before you go in person.

The Norfolk County Superior Court building houses the main clerk's office where you can inspect felony case files in person free of charge. Copy fees apply if you want paper copies to take with you.

How to Search Norfolk County Felony Records Online

Start at masscourts.org. You don't need an account to run a basic search. Type in a name or case number in the public search field. The system will return cases that match. For felony records specifically, filter by Superior Court and Norfolk County. Each result shows the party name, case type, charges filed, current status, and key dates.

You may find other sites that claim to have Norfolk County criminal case data. Some pull from public sources and let you search without going to the court's own site. These can be hit or miss. Always verify what you find against the official masscourts.org data before relying on it for any formal purpose.

Keep in mind what the online search will not show. Sealed records do not appear. Juvenile cases are not public. Ongoing investigations may have filings withheld. Grand jury minutes are never public. If you search and get no results for a case you know exists, it may be sealed under MGL Chapter 276.

Norfolk County District Courts and Criminal Cases

Not every criminal case in Norfolk County goes to Superior Court. Misdemeanors and lower-level offenses are handled by the district courts. But district courts also handle arraignments and early-stage felony proceedings before cases are bound over to Superior Court. Knowing which district court covers a given town helps you track down records at the right location.

The district courts in Norfolk County are: Dedham District Court at 631 High Street, (781) 329-4777; Quincy District Court at 1 Dennis Ryan Parkway, (617) 471-1650; Brookline District Court at 360 Washington Street, (617) 232-4660; Stoughton District Court at 1288 Central Street, (781) 344-2122; Wrentham District Court at 60 East Street, (508) 384-3106; Weymouth District Court at 625 Main Street, (781) 331-5100; and Milford District Court at 161 West Street, (508) 473-1260. Each of these courts keeps its own case files for matters in its jurisdiction.

If a felony case started at the district level before being moved to Superior Court, you may need records from both courts to get the full picture. The district court keeps the early filings while Superior Court holds the later proceedings.

Norfolk County Sheriff and Inmate Records

The Norfolk County Sheriff's Office is at 200 West Street, Dedham, MA 02026. Phone: (781) 329-3705. The sheriff maintains custody records for people held at the county jail and house of correction. The Norfolk County Sheriff's website offers an inmate lookup tool. You can search by name to find out if someone is currently in county custody, their booking date, and expected release date.

The sheriff's office also accepts email requests for public records. This can speed things up if you know what documents you need. Inmate records are separate from court records, but both may be relevant when researching a felony case in Norfolk County.

CORI and Norfolk County Felony Records Access

Massachusetts uses a statewide system called CORI, which stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. CORI is managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, known as DCJIS, at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Phone: (617) 660-4600. CORI covers felony convictions and many other criminal events across all counties, including Norfolk.

Under MGL Chapter 6, the state controls who can access full CORI records. The general public can see basic case information through the courts. More detailed CORI searches cost $25 for a personal record request. The fee is waived for people who qualify as indigent. You can audit your own CORI record once every 90 days at no charge through the DCJIS self-audit process.

Norfolk County felony convictions stay on the CORI record for 10 years in most cases. Murder and sex offense convictions have no time limit. Felony records can be sealed after 7 years under MGL Chapter 276, Section 100A. Sealing removes the record from most public searches, which is why you may not find a case that you know was filed in Norfolk County.

For guidance on your rights under CORI, MassLegalHelp and Greater Boston Legal Services both have plain-language guides that explain what is public, what is restricted, and how to request corrections.

For the most complete criminal history in Norfolk County, an official CORI request through DCJIS remains the authoritative source. Court portal searches give you case-level details, but CORI pulls together records from across the state.

Norfolk County DA Office and Public Records

The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office is at 45 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021. Phone: (781) 830-4800. The DA's website is norfolkda.com. The DA prosecutes felony cases that go through Norfolk Superior Court. The office maintains prosecutorial records, but many of those are exempt from public records requests. Exemptions cover active investigations, grand jury materials, and files that identify victims in certain cases.

For public records requests to the DA's office, submit a written request that is as specific as possible. Vague requests for all records in a case are more likely to be denied or delayed. Cite the specific case number and the documents you need. The DA's office responds under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, which gives agencies 10 business days to reply to a request.

Norfolk County Probate Court and Related Filings

Some criminal matters connect to the probate and family court. The Norfolk County Probate and Family Court is at 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021. Phone: (781) 830-1200. Email: norfolkprobate@jud.state.ma.us. This court handles guardianship cases, civil commitments, and some proceedings that follow criminal convictions when family matters are affected.

These records are separate from felony court records, but they can be relevant in situations involving criminal restraining orders, guardianship after incarceration, or proceedings that overlap with criminal cases. If your research involves a felony case with related family or probate filings, check both court systems.

Cities in Norfolk County

Several cities in Norfolk County have their own records pages.

Nearby Counties

Norfolk County borders several other Massachusetts counties, each with its own court system.