Bristol County Warrant Records

Bristol County warrant records come from courts and law enforcement offices in southeastern Massachusetts. New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton are the three largest cities in the county, and each has its own district court and superior court location. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office enforces warrants across the region. If you need to search for an active warrant, check on an old arrest, or get copies of court records, this county has several options available through its courts, the sheriff, and the state's online case search system.

Bristol County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Paul E. Heroux runs the Bristol County Sheriff's Office from 400 Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth. The office handles the county jail, civil process, and warrant enforcement for all of Bristol County. The main number is (508) 995-6400. You can also reach the sheriff directly at (508) 995-1311. The civil process division is at (508) 992-6631.

The Records Access Officer is Lorraine J. Rousseau, Esq. Contact her at lorrainerousseau@bcso-ma.org or call (508) 995-1311. Under M.G.L. Chapter 66, Section 10, the sheriff's office must respond to public records requests. The first two hours of search time are free. After that, the charge is $25 per hour with copies at $0.05 per page. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Bristol County Sheriff's website lists programs, contact info, and resources for the public.

Deputies from the sheriff's office work with New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton police departments to serve outstanding warrants. Under M.G.L. Chapter 276, any warrant can be executed anywhere in the state. Bristol County's team focuses on warrants tied to their courts but also picks up people wanted in other counties who happen to be in the area.

Bristol County Courts and Warrant Cases

Bristol County has three superior court locations and four district courts. That is more than most counties in the state. The Bristol Superior Court in Taunton at 9 Court Street, (508) 823-6588, handles serious felonies from the northern part of the county. The New Bedford Superior Court at 441 County Street, (508) 996-2051, covers the coast. Fall River Superior Court at 186 South Main Street, (508) 491-3300, handles cases from the western side.

Each superior court can issue arrest warrants based on grand jury indictments. Under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 22, the warrant commands any law enforcement officer to arrest the named person. These warrants go into the statewide system the same day they are issued. District courts handle less serious cases but also issue plenty of warrants.

The district courts in Bristol County include Taunton District Court at 40 Broadway, (508) 977-6000, Fall River District Court at 186 South Main Street, (508) 491-3200, New Bedford District Court at 75 North 6th Street, (508) 999-9700, and Attleboro District Court at 88 North Main Street, (508) 222-5900. Each one handles misdemeanors and less serious felonies from its service area. Bench warrants for missed court dates are common at all four locations.

Note: Bristol County's multiple court locations mean warrant records could be at any of seven courthouses.

Bristol County District Attorney

District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III prosecutes all criminal cases in Bristol County. The DA's office is at 218 South Main Street, Suite 101, in Fall River. Call (508) 997-0711 for information. The DA's team works with police and the courts to enforce warrants and pursue cases through trial.

Below is a screenshot of the Bristol County District Attorney's website.

When a police officer files a criminal complaint, the clerk-magistrate at the local court decides whether to issue a warrant. For more serious cases, the DA presents evidence to a grand jury. If the grand jury votes to indict, the superior court issues an arrest warrant. The DA's office tracks these cases and decides how aggressively to pursue outstanding warrants. Some old warrants may eventually be dismissed if the DA determines the case is no longer worth pursuing.

How to Look Up Bristol County Warrants

Start with masscourts.org for a free online search. This state system covers all Bristol County courts. Enter a name and the tool shows matching criminal cases with charges, docket entries, and case status. Cases with a "default" notation usually have a bench warrant outstanding.

You can also call the sheriff's office at (508) 995-6400 or (508) 995-1311 to ask about a specific name. The civil process line at (508) 992-6631 handles questions about civil warrants. Court clerks at each district and superior court can also check their systems during business hours. For in-person visits, bring an ID and go to the clerk's window at any Bristol County courthouse.

Because Bristol County has seven courthouses spread across a large area, it helps to know where the case started. If you know the city where the arrest happened, go to that district court first. If not, the superior court in Taunton is a good central starting point for your search.

Bristol County Warrant Record Types

Arrest warrants and bench warrants are the two main types in Bristol County. Arrest warrants come from criminal complaints or grand jury indictments. They are issued when there is probable cause to believe someone committed a crime. Under M.G.L. Chapter 276, the warrant stays valid until the person is arrested or the court recalls it.

Bench warrants come from missed court dates. If you have a hearing at any Bristol County court and do not show up, the judge issues a bench warrant under M.G.L. Chapter 276, Section 100A. These never expire. They sit in the system until you deal with them. A routine traffic stop or any police contact can turn up a bench warrant and lead to an arrest on the spot. Getting ahead of the situation by contacting a lawyer is much better than waiting to be picked up.

Both types of warrants are entered into the Criminal Justice Information System that police across Massachusetts can search. Bristol County warrants can lead to arrests in any city or town in the state.

Cities in Bristol County

Bristol County has 20 cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts. The three largest cities each have their own courts and generate a significant share of the county's warrant cases.

Other Bristol County communities include Attleboro, Dartmouth, Mansfield, and Rehoboth. Warrant records for these towns go through the local district courts and the county sheriff's office.

Nearby Counties

Bristol County shares borders with Plymouth and Norfolk counties. Warrants issued in Bristol County can be served in any other county across the state.