Warrant records are public in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10). This statute establishes that records created, received, or maintained by government entities are presumptively public and accessible to citizens upon request. Warrant information falls within this category of public records unless specifically exempted by statutory provision.
The Massachusetts Public Records Law operates under the principle of governmental transparency, allowing members of the public to access information regarding warrants issued within Plymouth County. This accessibility serves the public interest by enabling citizens to remain informed about law enforcement activities and judicial proceedings within their jurisdiction. The Commonwealth's commitment to open government is reflected in the accessibility of these records.
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed or redacted in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 3, particularly in cases where premature disclosure might compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger public safety. In such instances, access may be restricted until the warrant has been executed or the investigation has concluded.
Warrant records maintained by Plymouth County authorities typically contain the following information:
The level of detail contained in warrant records may vary according to the type of warrant issued (arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant) and the specific circumstances of the case. All warrant records are maintained in accordance with the record retention schedules established by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Members of the public may conduct free searches for warrant information in Plymouth County through several official channels:
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information about the subject, including full legal name and date of birth. Pursuant to Massachusetts court procedures, certain administrative fees may apply for printed copies of warrant records, though viewing the information on public terminals is typically available without charge.
The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office is authorized under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 37 to execute warrants issued by courts within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Plymouth County constitute official legal instruments that empower law enforcement personnel to perform specific actions in accordance with judicial directives.
These warrants typically fall into several categories:
The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated Warrant Apprehension Unit responsible for locating and apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants. This unit operates from the Sheriff's headquarters at:
Plymouth County Sheriff's Department
24 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-6200
Plymouth County Sheriff's Department
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 276, Section 23A, the Sheriff's Office is required to maintain accurate records of all warrants received and executed within the county jurisdiction.
Individuals seeking to determine whether a warrant exists in their name in Plymouth County may utilize several official verification methods:
When making inquiries regarding potential warrants, individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification and personal information. The Massachusetts Court System maintains records in accordance with the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) regulations, which govern the dissemination of criminal history data.
For individuals concerned about potential warrants, addressing the matter promptly through proper legal channels is advisable, as outstanding warrants do not expire and may result in arrest during routine interactions with law enforcement.
Plymouth County residents and interested parties may verify the existence of outstanding warrants through several authorized channels:
When conducting searches for outstanding warrants, requestors should note that pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 172, certain access restrictions may apply to criminal history information. Complete warrant information may require proper identification and, in some cases, notarized authorization from the subject of the inquiry.
The Massachusetts Trial Court maintains a centralized database of outstanding warrants that is updated regularly to reflect current judicial actions throughout Plymouth County and the Commonwealth.