Barnstable County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Barnstable County
Arrest records in Barnstable County are considered public records under Massachusetts law, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10. This statute establishes that government records, including arrest records, are presumptively public unless specifically exempted by law. The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the principle that citizens have a right to access information about governmental activities, including law enforcement actions.
The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant in Barnstable County. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. In contrast, a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of the offense in a court of law. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 172, certain criminal record information is subject to specific access restrictions, though basic arrest information typically remains public.
The Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement agencies in Barnstable County maintain arrest records in accordance with state regulations. While the fact of an arrest is public information, certain details may be redacted or restricted if they fall under exemptions outlined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7(26), such as information that might compromise an ongoing investigation or invade personal privacy beyond the public interest.
What's in Barnstable County Arrest Records
Barnstable County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals by law enforcement agencies. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name (first, middle, last)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Height, weight, and other physical descriptors
- Address of residence
- Identifying numbers (state ID, driver's license)
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Arrest type (warrant, probable cause, etc.)
Charge Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- Statute or ordinance citations
- Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
- Charge description
- Incident report number
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number
- Issuing court
- Date of issuance
- Warrant type
Booking Information:
- Booking date and time
- Booking facility
- Booking number
- Fingerprinting information
- Photograph (mugshot)
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bail amount set
- Bond type
- Payment status
- Release conditions
Court Information:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Scheduled court appearance date
- Case number
Custody Status:
- Current detention status
- Facility of detention (if applicable)
- Release date (if applicable)
Additional Information May Include:
- Prior arrest history
- Property inventory
- Medical screening notes
- Emergency contact information
- Attorney information (if provided)
The specific content of arrest records may vary slightly between different law enforcement agencies within Barnstable County, but all adhere to Massachusetts state standards for criminal justice information systems.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Barnstable County in 2026
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Barnstable County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing arrest records include:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Requesters should complete the standard public records request form and submit it to the agency that made the arrest. For county-wide arrests, contact:
Barnstable County Sheriff's Office
6000 Sheriff's Place
Bourne, MA 02532
508-563-4300
Barnstable County Sheriff's Office
- Visit the law enforcement agency in person during regular business hours. Requesters should bring government-issued identification and be prepared to complete a records request form. For arrests made by local police departments, contact the specific municipal agency, such as:
Barnstable Police Department
1200 Phinney's Lane
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-778-3800
Barnstable Police Department
- Request records from the Barnstable County District Court. Court records related to arrests are maintained by:
Barnstable District Court
3195 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
508-375-6600
Massachusetts Court System
- Submit a request to the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) for official Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). This service requires payment of a statutory fee and completion of the appropriate forms.
Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
617-660-4600
Massachusetts DCJIS
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(a), agencies must respond to public records requests within 10 business days. Fees may apply for search, retrieval, and copying of records in accordance with state regulations.
How To Find Barnstable County Arrest Records Online
Barnstable County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records online. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) maintains the iCORI system, which allows authorized users to request Criminal Offender Record Information electronically. Members of the public may access this system through the Massachusetts iCORI portal.
To search for arrest records online:
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Visit the Massachusetts Court Electronic Case Access system to search for criminal cases by name. This database includes information about arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
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Check the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup for current detention information. This resource provides real-time data on individuals currently in custody.
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Review the Barnstable County public records portal for information on submitting electronic requests for arrest records not available through other online systems.
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Access the Massachusetts Probation Service electronic records for information on individuals under court supervision following arrest and conviction.
When using online systems, requesters should note that Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 172 governs the dissemination of criminal record information, and certain limitations may apply to what information is available through public-facing portals.
How To Search Barnstable County Arrest Records for Free?
Members of the public have several options for accessing Barnstable County arrest records without payment of fees:
- Visit the Barnstable County Courthouse public access terminals during regular business hours. These terminals provide free access to court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Barnstable County Superior Court
3195 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
508-375-6684
Barnstable County Superior Court
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Review the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office website for publicly available inmate information and recent arrest logs.
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Check local police department websites, which often publish daily arrest logs at no cost. For example:
Falmouth Police Department
750 Main Street
Falmouth, MA 02540
774-255-4527
Falmouth Police Department
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Consult local newspaper websites and court news sections, which frequently report on significant arrests in Barnstable County.
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Submit a public records request for specific arrest information. While agencies may charge reasonable fees for extensive searches or document reproduction, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10(d) allows for fee waivers when disclosure would serve the public interest.
For individuals seeking their own criminal history information, the Massachusetts CORI Self Audit program allows one free self-audit every 90 days.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Barnstable County
Massachusetts law provides specific mechanisms for the sealing or expungement of arrest records under certain circumstances. The processes for removing arrest records from public access in Barnstable County include:
Record Sealing: Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100A, individuals may petition to seal criminal records, including arrest records, after waiting periods of 3 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies, provided there have been no subsequent convictions. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement but are removed from public view.
Record Expungement: Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100E-100U, certain records may be eligible for complete expungement, which physically destroys the record. Expungement is available in limited circumstances, including:
- Cases of mistaken identity or unauthorized use of identity
- Offenses committed before age 21 (with restrictions)
- Cases where the offense is no longer a crime (e.g., marijuana possession)
To initiate the sealing or expungement process:
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Obtain a copy of your Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.
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File a petition with the Barnstable County Superior Court or the court where the case was originally heard.
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Attend any required hearings to present your case for sealing or expungement.
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If approved, ensure the order is properly executed by all relevant agencies holding copies of the records.
The Massachusetts Probation Service oversees the record sealing process and can provide guidance on eligibility and procedures. Legal assistance is recommended, and free resources may be available through Massachusetts Legal Services.
What Happens After Arrest in Barnstable County?
Following an arrest in Barnstable County, individuals enter a standardized criminal justice process governed by Massachusetts state law:
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Booking Procedure: The arrestee is transported to a police station or the Barnstable County Correctional Facility where they are photographed, fingerprinted, and their personal information is recorded. This information becomes part of the arrest record.
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Bail Determination: A bail commissioner or judge determines whether the individual may be released pending court proceedings. Bail amounts are set based on factors including the severity of charges and flight risk, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 58.
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Arraignment: Within 24-48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), the arrestee appears before a judge at the Barnstable District Court for formal presentation of charges and entry of an initial plea.
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Pretrial Proceedings: The case proceeds through various pretrial hearings, including:
- Pretrial conference
- Discovery motions
- Suppression hearings
- Status conferences
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Case Disposition: The case may be resolved through:
- Dismissal of charges
- Pretrial diversion programs
- Plea agreement
- Trial by judge or jury
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Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows based on Massachusetts sentencing guidelines and may include:
- Incarceration at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility or state prison
- Probation supervision
- Fines and restitution
- Alternative sanctions
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Post-Conviction: Following conviction, individuals have rights to:
- Appeal within specified timeframes
- Petition for modification of sentence
- Apply for parole when eligible
Throughout this process, the Barnstable County District Attorney's Office represents the Commonwealth, while defendants may be represented by private counsel or attorneys from the Committee for Public Counsel Services if they qualify for appointed representation.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Barnstable County?
Arrest records in Barnstable County are maintained according to the Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule, which is established pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 8. This comprehensive schedule mandates specific retention periods for various categories of government records, including those related to law enforcement activities.
Under current retention requirements:
- Basic arrest information is maintained permanently by the arresting agency
- Booking photographs (mugshots) are retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Fingerprint cards are maintained for 100 years from date of creation
- Arrest logs must be retained for a minimum of 7 years
- Incident reports related to arrests are kept for a minimum of 20 years
Different agencies within the criminal justice system maintain separate record systems with varying retention periods:
- The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office maintains custody records for 7 years after release
- The Massachusetts State Police retain investigation files for 25 years
- The Massachusetts Court System preserves case files according to case type and disposition
Electronic records systems have extended the practical retention of arrest information, with digital databases often maintaining searchable records indefinitely. The Massachusetts Criminal Justice Information Services maintains the central repository for criminal history information in the Commonwealth, with records potentially remaining accessible for the lifetime of the individual.
Records retention serves multiple purposes, including preserving evidence for potential appeals, maintaining statistical data for law enforcement analysis, and ensuring accountability in the criminal justice system.
How to Find Mugshots in Barnstable County
What Mugshots Are
Mugshots, formally known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. In Barnstable County, these photographs document the appearance of arrested individuals at the time of processing and become part of the official arrest record. Mugshots typically include front-facing and profile views of the arrestee, often with identifying information visible.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained
Mugshots in Barnstable County are primarily maintained by:
- The arresting law enforcement agency (local police departments or Massachusetts State Police)
- The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office for individuals processed at the county jail
- The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) in centralized criminal history files
Finding Mugshots
To locate mugshots in Barnstable County, members of the public may:
- Submit a formal public records request to the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest, citing Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10
- Contact the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office records division for bookings processed at county facilities
- Request criminal history information through the Massachusetts iCORI system, though mugshots may not be included in standard reports
Can They Be Found Online
The availability of mugshots online through official sources is limited in Massachusetts. Unlike some states, Massachusetts does not maintain a public-facing database of booking photographs. Some local police departments may post recent booking photos on their websites or social media accounts, but this practice varies by jurisdiction and is not comprehensive.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially
To officially request mugshots:
- Complete a standard public records request form specifying the booking photograph is sought
- Submit the request to the appropriate agency with any required fees
- Provide sufficient identifying information to locate the specific record
Restrictions on Mugshot Access
Access to mugshots in Barnstable County is subject to certain limitations:
- Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, § 7(26)(c) exempts from disclosure "personnel and medical files or information and any other materials or data relating to a specifically named individual, the disclosure of which may constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy"
- Mugshots related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
- Juvenile booking photographs are generally not public records
- Sealed or expunged records, including associated mugshots, are not accessible to the public
Law enforcement agencies balance public records requirements with privacy considerations when responding to mugshot requests.