Bristol County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Bristol County, Massachusetts

Bristol County, Massachusetts, with a population of 577,000 is home to a comprehensive and efficient court system designed to serve a diverse and growing community. The Bristol County Court system features five types of court; Superior Court, District Court, Family and Probate Court, Juvenile Court, and Housing Court.

Bristol County Superior Court, located in Fall River, New Bradford and Taunton, is the highest trial court in the entire county. The court handles criminal matters regarded as serious felonies or that have a possible sentence of more than five years, abuse prevention proceedings, significant civil litigation, claims for money damages of more than $25,000, and jury trials. The District Court handles criminal cases such as felonies, punishable by up to five years of incarceration, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. They also handle civil cases like general civil claims for less than $25,000, abuse prevention, mental health, and enforcement of money judgments. The Probate and Family Courts have jurisdiction over domestic relations, abuse prevention, probate matters, adoption, and guardianships. The Housing Courts have limited jurisdiction over the health and safety of residences, housing issues such as landlord-tenant disputes, and housing code violations. The Juvenile Courts handle cases involving minors, such as juvenile delinquencies and child protection cases.

Bristol County has a crime rate of about 3,000 incidents per 100,000 residents; slightly higher than the national average. These numbers emphasize the importance of an efficient and well-organized judicial system to maintain public order. Bristol County court records are well maintained and are publicly available, reflecting the transparency and accountability of the judicial system. The Bristol County Clerk of Courts oversees the maintenance of all court records while ensuring accuracy and reliability. Public access to these records is available on the Massachusetts Court System website, where individuals can search for information about civil, criminal, and traffic cases. Closed court records are however not accessible to the public except by obtaining a special court order or permission. This system ensures that the public has access to essential information while protecting the confidentiality of sensitive data.

To summarize, Bristol County's judicial system is well organized, serving the legal needs of its residents. With the different courts handling different cases, the court system ensures efficiency and specialization while handling specific legal matters. As Bristol County continues to grow, the courts still remain the cornerstone of the county's commitment to justice and public service.

Bristol County, MA - Courthouses

Bristol County Superior Court - New Bedford

Court Type: Superior Court
Street Address: 441 County St., 1st Floor
Website URL: https://www.mass.gov/locations/bristol-county-superior-court-new-bedford
Phone: 508-996-2051
Fax: 508-821-9563
Hours: Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Judge: Hon. Heidi Brieger
Clerk: Marc J. Santos
Parking: There is metered parking around the perimeter of the building in all directions. The closest public lot is the Elm Street garage, several blocks away from the courthouse.
Public transportation: The court is accessible via the Southeast Regional Transit Authority (SRTA). The terminal is located at 25 North Sixth Street in the heart of downtown, only 3 blocks from the courthouse. In addition, bus route #3 (Dartmouth Street) crosses the intersection of Union and County Streets, one building over from the courthouse. Visit www.srtabus.com for additional information.
Languages: Multiple
Email: Bristol.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us
ADA: Marc Santos
ADA Phone: 508-996-2051
ADA Fax / Email: marc.santos@jud.state.ma.us
About / Additional Info: The Bristol County Superior Court in New Bedford serves the cities and towns of Bristol County. This location handles only civil matters.

Bristol County, MA - Sheriff's Office

Bristol County Sheriff’s Office

Location Type: Sheriff's Office
Street Address: 400 Faunce Corner Road
Phone: 508-995-6400
Fax: 508-995-7835
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Website URL: http://www.bcso-ma.us/
Jail/Corrections: http://www.bcso-ma.us/aboutbcso.htm
Civil Services & Proceedings: http://www.bcso-ma.us/civilprocess.htm
Public Records: http://www.bcso-ma.us/public_records_requests.html
Sheriff: Thomas M. Hodgson
Sheriff Phone: 508-995-1311
Sheriff Email: info@bcso-ma.org, sheriff@bsco-ma.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BristolCountySheriff
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BristolSheriff?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bristol-county-sheriffs-office
About/Additional Info: The Bristol County Sheriff's Office houses men and women in different facilities and is responsible for the care and custody of individuals who are sentenced or awaiting trial. Additionally, the BCSO works in partnership with law enforcement agencies, government entities and community groups, lending resources to train, educate, and respond to the safety concerns of our communities. Adult correctional facilities, a regional lock-up, and a host of divisions ranging from Civil Process to Homeland Security comprise the Department.

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