Franklin County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Franklin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Franklin County, Massachusetts may access publicly available information through official government channels, court systems, and authorized online databases. FranklinMARecords.org provides access to publicly available data related to criminal records maintained by county and state agencies. Records available through these resources may include arrest logs, court case filings, conviction histories, booking information, and warrant data, though completeness and currency of records vary by source and record type.
Relevant record categories that may be accessible include:
- Arrest and booking records
- District and Superior Court case filings
- Criminal dispositions and sentencing records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Sex offender registry entries
- Active warrant listings
- Probation and parole records
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Franklin County court system operates through the Massachusetts Trial Court. The primary venue for criminal matters is the Eastern Hampshire District Court, which handles cases originating in Franklin County alongside the Franklin/Hampshire Superior Court.
Franklin County Superior Court
425 Main Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone: (413) 774-5535
Massachusetts Trial Court
Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and approximate case filing date. Public access terminals are available within the courthouse for case lookups at no charge.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, inmate rosters, and booking records for individuals held at the county jail.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
160 Elm Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone: (413) 774-3411
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. The Sheriff's Office processes public records requests pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with state fee schedules.
3. Online Court Search
The Massachusetts Trial Court provides an online case search portal through the Massachusetts Court System's public case search. Users may search by party name, case number, or docket number. The portal returns case status, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions for cases filed in the Trial Court system. Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) maintains the statewide criminal history repository.
Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Phone: (617) 660-4600
CHSB iCORI Portal
Formal background check requests are submitted through the iCORI online system. Fingerprint-based checks are required for certain employment and licensing purposes. Processing times and fees vary based on request type; standard iCORI requests are processed electronically within minutes for registered users.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be directed to the Clerk of Courts at the Franklin County Superior Court, 425 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301. Requests should include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate case dates, and the requestor's contact information. Under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, G.L. c. 66, § 10, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within ten business days.
What Is Franklin County Criminal Records
A criminal record is an official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions. In Massachusetts, criminal records are defined and governed under G.L. c. 6, § 167, which establishes the framework for the collection and dissemination of criminal offender record information (CORI).
The distinction between record types is significant for access and use purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding or plea of guilt following judicial proceedings. An arrest without conviction does not establish criminal liability.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential state prison sentences; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in the criminal history system.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access provisions under state law. Juvenile records are presumptively sealed and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Franklin County include the Franklin County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Franklin County Superior Court and District Courts (case files, dispositions, and court orders), the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board (statewide repository), and local police departments within the county.
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as cases progress through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. The Massachusetts Trial Court serves as the primary repository for court-based criminal records within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Franklin County
Criminal records in Franklin County are subject to public access under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, G.L. c. 66, § 10, and the Criminal Offender Record Information statute, G.L. c. 6, §§ 167–178B. As stated by the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office, "All government records are presumed to be public unless they fall within one of the stated exemptions."
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court dockets, arraignment records, sentencing information, and case dispositions. Court proceedings conducted in open session are matters of public record.
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records (sealed by operation of law)
- Expunged records (removed from public access upon court order)
- Records sealed pursuant to G.L. c. 276, § 100A
- Ongoing investigation materials
- Victim and witness identifying information
- Records subject to protective orders
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Massachusetts public records law. The Massachusetts Attorney General's Public Records Division provides guidance on the scope of public access and the process for appealing denied requests.
How To Find Criminal Records in Franklin County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online portal for Franklin County court records is the Massachusetts Trial Court's public case search, which allows searches by party name or case number across all Trial Court departments. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate roster information. Users should note that online access reflects available digitized records and may not include older paper-based filings.
State-Level Resources
The iCORI system operated by the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board provides statewide criminal history background checks. The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board maintains a publicly searchable database of registered sex offenders. The Massachusetts Court System website provides links to all court locations and clerk offices.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types
- Note that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results regardless of the database used
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following court proceedings. Historical records predating the digitization of court files require in-person requests at the clerk's office. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Franklin County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Massachusetts law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge. Under G.L. c. 66, § 10, custodians of public records must permit inspection during regular business hours. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at:
- Franklin County Superior Court Clerk's Office, 425 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office, 160 Elm Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | What's Free | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Trial Court Case Search | Case dockets, charges, dispositions | masscourts.org |
| Franklin County Sheriff Inmate Roster | Current inmate listings | franklinsheriff.com |
| MA Sex Offender Registry | Registered offender search | mass.gov/sorb |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office are available as public records and may be requested at no charge for inspection purposes.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the Trial Court
- Official iCORI background checks: fees vary by request type and volume
- Staff-assisted record searches exceeding standard parameters
- Copies of physical records: assessed per page under state fee schedules
State Fee Law
The Massachusetts Public Records Law establishes fee limitations for record production. Pursuant to G.L. c. 66, § 10, agencies may charge for the actual cost of reproduction but may not charge for inspection. Fee waivers are available in certain circumstances as determined by the records custodian.
What's Included in a Franklin County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Franklin County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail determination, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- OUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges and open cases
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed by law)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Completed diversion program records where sealing has been granted
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may seek correction through the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board. The CHSB correction process allows subjects to challenge inaccurate or incomplete entries in their CORI record.
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Massachusetts record retention requirements for criminal records are governed by state statute and the Massachusetts Supervisor of Records' retention schedules. Courts are required to maintain records in accordance with the Massachusetts Trial Court Records Retention Schedule.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Subject to sealing under G.L. c. 276, § 100C |
| Dismissed/acquitted cases | Retained; disposition noted in record |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18 or upon case closure; subject to destruction per statute |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County courts retain case files permanently in accordance with Trial Court retention rules
- The Franklin County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records per county retention schedules
- The Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board retains conviction records permanently; the CHSB serves as the permanent state repository
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, with the electronic version serving as the official record.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Sealing removes a record from public view but retains it for law enforcement access, available under G.L. c. 276, § 100A
- Expungement results in the destruction or permanent removal of the record from all repositories, available under G.L. c. 276, § 100E for eligible offenses
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic deletion of records per retention schedules, distinct from court-ordered sealing or expungement
Expungement
Eligible individuals may petition for expungement of certain records under G.L. c. 276, § 100E. Expungement eligibility is limited by offense type, age at time of offense, and time elapsed since disposition. Even if county records are destroyed or expunged, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless a court order specifically directs removal from all repositories. Expungement petition forms are available through the Massachusetts Trial Court.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records. Massachusetts expungement orders do not automatically remove records from federal databases.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain in the criminal history system and appear on background checks indefinitely unless sealed or expunged. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain purposes, though convictions may be reported without time limitation depending on the position sought. Professional licensing boards in Massachusetts may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record.