Dukes County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Dukes County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Dukes County may access publicly available information through DukesRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Dukes County, located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and encompassing Martha's Vineyard, maintains criminal records through its court system, sheriff's office, and state repositories. Users may find information related to arrest logs, court case filings, dispositions, and booking records, though the completeness and currency of any record depends on the originating agency and the nature of the case. Record categories that may be available include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Bail and arraignment information
- Sentencing and probation records
- Active warrant information
- Sex offender registry entries
Records may be searched through official court resources, the county clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and state-level online portals. The following methods outline the primary access points currently available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Dukes County Superior Court and the Edgartown District Court serve as the primary repositories for criminal case filings and dispositions within the county. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during business hours. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Edgartown District Court
81 Main Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-3751
Edgartown District Court
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for case lookups. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Dukes County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and inmate information. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records.
Dukes County Sheriff's Office
PO Box 1486, Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: (508) 627-7000
Dukes County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Massachusetts Trial Court provides an online case search portal through the Massachusetts Court System's public case search, where users may search by party name, case number, or docket number. Users should enter the full legal name of the subject and select the appropriate court location. Note that not all historical records are available online, and sealed or expunged records will not appear.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) maintains the state's official criminal history repository. Individuals and authorized entities may submit formal requests for a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) report. Requests may require fingerprinting for certain categories of requestors. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Phone: (617) 660-4600
CHSB Official Portal
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Edgartown District Court Clerk's Office at 81 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within ten business days.
What Is Dukes County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Dukes County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Massachusetts law, criminal records are formally governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 167, which defines Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) as records and data in any communicating system including information resulting from the arrest, detention, or disposition of an adult.
The distinction between record types is significant for public access purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by a court. Arrest records without a resulting conviction carry different disclosure rules than conviction records.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential state prison sentences; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in the court system.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access provisions under state law. Juvenile records are presumptively sealed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119, § 60A and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding court orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Dukes County include the Dukes County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Edgartown District Court (case filings, dispositions, and court orders), the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board (statewide CORI repository), and local police departments such as the Edgartown Police Department. Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, plea, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or probation proceedings.
Are Criminal Records Public In Dukes County
Criminal records in Dukes County are subject to public access under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, codified at Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, which establishes the right of any person to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies. Court proceedings and adult conviction records are treated as public records accessible to members of the public upon request.
As stated by the Massachusetts Secretary of State's office, "Every person has a right to access public records." This principle extends to criminal court records, which are presumptively open unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Records that are restricted from public disclosure include:
- Sealed court records pursuant to court order or statute
- Expunged records, which are treated as if they never existed
- Juvenile records sealed under Chapter 119
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to a protective order
The Massachusetts Attorney General's office provides guidance on public records access through the Public Records Division. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Massachusetts public records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Dukes County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Dukes County court records is the Massachusetts Trial Court's public case search portal, which allows users to search active and recent case records by name or case number. The portal contains case filings, hearing dates, and disposition information for cases handled in the Edgartown District Court. No registration is required for basic name searches. Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear in online search results.
The Dukes County Sheriff's Office maintains current inmate and booking information accessible through its official website at dukescountysheriff.org.
State-Level Resources
The Massachusetts Trial Court's statewide case search covers all district and superior courts across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board provides CORI reports through its iCORI online portal, which allows individuals to request their own criminal history record and authorized entities to request records for permissible purposes.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference results across the district court portal and the CHSB system
- Note that records older than a certain threshold may not be digitized
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in any public online search
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court proceeding. Historical records predating the digitization of court files may require an in-person request at the courthouse. Online searches do not constitute an official background check for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Dukes County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Massachusetts law mandates that members of the public may inspect public records, including court records, at no charge. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, § 10, agencies may not charge a fee for the mere inspection of records. Copying fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. In-person inspection is available at the Edgartown District Court, 81 Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539, during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | What's Free | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Court Case Search | Case filings, dispositions, hearing dates | masscourts.org |
| Dukes County Sheriff Inmate Roster | Current bookings and inmate status | dukescountysheriff.org |
| iCORI Self-Request | Individual's own CORI record | iCORI Portal |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Dukes County Sheriff's Office upon request. Availability of specific log formats varies by agency policy.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the court clerk, at present approximately $2.50 per page for standard copies
- Official CORI background checks through the CHSB: fees vary by requestor category
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond standard inspection
- Expedited processing requests
State Fee Law
Under Massachusetts public records law, agencies may charge a fee not to exceed $0.05 per page for black-and-white copies on standard paper. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon written application to the relevant agency.
What's Included in a Dukes County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record at present may include 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 or holding facility where the individual was processed.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record information.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of the case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing information (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of probation or parole), any appeals filed, and current probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
Records may also reflect active warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, certain traffic violations, and pending charges not yet resolved.
NOT Included
- Juvenile records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where sealing has occurred
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a challenge to the Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board through the CORI challenge process. Maintaining accurate records is significant for employment, housing, and licensing purposes.
How Long Does Dukes County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Massachusetts court record retention is governed by the Trial Court's records retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods by record type. The Massachusetts Secretary of State's Records Conservation Board oversees compliance with retention requirements across state agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained permanently (showing disposition) |
| 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 records permanently in accordance with Trial Court retention rules. The Dukes County Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for periods established by the county's records retention schedule. The Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records 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.
- Expungement treats the record as if it never existed and removes it from all repositories.
- Destruction permanently eliminates the physical record, though electronic copies may persist in state databases unless legally expunged.
Expungement
Massachusetts law provides for expungement of certain criminal records under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, § 100E. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the age of the petitioner at the time of the offense, and the time elapsed since the case concluded. Expungement forms and instructions are available through the Massachusetts Court System. Even following expungement, records may remain accessible to law enforcement through separate channels.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state repositories.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions that remain unsealed appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, and professional licensing. Employment background checks at present commonly cover a seven-to-ten year lookback period, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of all convictions regardless of age. As a practical matter, even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to applicable statute.