Plymouth County Warrant Search

We are glad you came to this page. Our goal is to give you the best help for your Plymouth County MA Warrant Search. We have looked into many sources. We will share what we found. This page aims to be the top source for this info.

If you need to check for warrants right now, you can start your Plymouth County MA Warrant Search here: https://massachusettsinmaterecords.com/plymouth-county-inmate-search/. This site helps find info on people held in the county. A check there might show if a person is held due to a warrant. It is a fast way to begin looking for someone possibly jailed on a warrant in Plymouth County. Use it if you need quick access to inmate details.

Understanding Warrants in Plymouth County

What is a Warrant?

A warrant is an order from a court. It tells law officers to do something. Most often, it is to arrest a person. This is an arrest warrant. It means there is probable cause. The person likely did a crime. Another type is a bench warrant. A judge issues this from the bench. It is often for not showing up in court. Or not following a court order. Warrants are serious legal items.

Why Check for a Plymouth County MA Warrant?

People check for warrants for many reasons. You might want to know your own status. Maybe you missed a court date. Or you are worried about an old fine. Others check for friends or family. Employers might check before hiring. Knowing about a warrant is key. It lets you deal with the issue. Ignoring a warrant can lead to arrest. This can happen at bad times. Like during a traffic stop.

Legal Basis for Warrants in Massachusetts

Warrants follow state laws. Massachusetts General Laws guide their use. Chapter 276 covers court process. Section 23A deals with the Warrant Management System. This is a state wide data base. It holds warrant information. Law officers use it. Courts use it too. It helps track warrants across the state. This law requires certain details on each warrant. The goal is clear and sure tracking. Massachusetts law favors getting a warrant before an arrest when possible. This makes sure a judge reviews the case first.

Public Access to Records

You have a right to see public records. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66 says this. Government records are mostly open. This includes many court and police records. But not all records are public. Some info is kept private. This includes things like ongoing case details. Or personal data not for public view. Warrant info may be public. But how you get it can vary. Some details might only be at the court house.

How to Conduct a Plymouth County MA Warrant Search

You can search for warrants in a few ways. The main ways involve the Sheriff or the courts. Each has a role in the warrant process. No single online search shows all warrants. You may need to check more than one place.

Plymouth County Sheriff's Department (PCSD)

The Sheriff's Department serves warrants. They have a unit for this work. The Warrant Apprehension Unit finds people with warrants. They work with other police groups too. Their job is key to the justice system. They help ensure people answer charges in court. You can contact them about warrants. But they may not give full details by phone. Safety reasons limit what they share easily.

Contacting the Warrant Apprehension Unit

The PCSD has a special tip line. Use this if you know where someone with a warrant is.

• Warrant Apprehension Unit Tip Line: 508-830-6205

• PCSD General Phone: 508-830-6200

• Admin Building Address: 24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth MA 02360

• Correctional Facility Address: 26 Long Pond Road, Plymouth MA 02360

You can call the main number for general questions. But they might direct you to the courts. Or ask you to come in person. They must be careful with warrant info.

Checking In Person at the Sheriff's Office

Going to the Sheriff's office may be needed. This is often true if you check on yourself. Bring a valid photo ID. Be ready for the outcome. If a warrant exists, they may arrest you there. It is best to have a lawyer first. They can guide you on how to handle this. Going in person can resolve the issue directly. But plan for what might happen.

Civil Process Division

The Sheriff also handles civil papers. This includes some warrant types. Like those for not paying child support. Or failing to appear in certain civil cases. This division has its own office.

• Civil Process Office Address: 22 Cottage Street, Brockton MA 02301

• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1663, Brockton MA 02303

• Phone: 508-580-2110 or 508-746-8800

• Fax: 508-586-8649

• Email: service@pcsdcivil.org

• Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

This office deals with serving legal documents. This includes some warrants linked to civil court actions. They handle landlord issues too. And divorce papers. Contact them if your warrant might relate to these areas.

Plymouth County Courts (Massachusetts Trial Court)

Courts issue warrants. The Clerk Magistrate often signs them. Court clerks keep case records. This includes warrant information. You can check court records online or in person. This is a main way to find warrant details. The courts manage public access to these records. They must balance access with privacy rules.

Checking Online via MassCourts Portal

Massachusetts offers an online tool. It is called the MassCourts portal. You can find it at www.masscourts.org. This site lets you search public court case information. You can search different ways. By name, case number, or case type. The state provides guides on how to search. Find the main search page here: Search Court Dockets, Calendars and Case Information. Remember, online data has limits. Not all details are available online. Sealed cases or juvenile records are not shown. Some warrant details might be restricted too. Old records might not be online.

To search on MassCourts:

1. Go to www.masscourts.org.

2. Pass the security check.

3. Click to search public records.

4. Select the Court Department (e.g., District Court, Superior Court).

5. Select the Court Division (e.g., Plymouth).

6. Choose your search method: Name, Case Number, or Case Type.

7. Enter the required info. For name search, use last and first name. For case number, enter it exactly. For case type, select type and a date range (max one month).

8. Click Search.

9. Review the results. Click case links for more details.

This portal is a great resource. It covers many case types. Criminal, civil, small claims are included. Probate and Family Court cases are there too. But it is not a sure fire warrant checker. It shows case status. A case might have an active warrant. But the portal might not explicitly state "active warrant." It shows case events and filings. You might infer a warrant from docket entries. Like "Warrant Issued" or "FTA" (Failure to Appear). Always check with the court clerk for the final word.

Checking In Person at Courthouses

The best way to confirm a warrant is often in person. You can visit the courthouse where the case is held. Each courthouse has public computer terminals. You can use these to search the MassCourts system. Often with more access than the web version. You can also speak directly to the Clerk's Office staff. They can check the official records. They can confirm if a warrant is active. Bring your ID if checking for yourself.

Here are the main Plymouth County court locations:

• Plymouth District Court
  
  

  • Handles cases from Plymouth, Plympton, Kingston, Halifax, Hanson, Duxbury, Pembroke, Marshfield.

  • Address: 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360

  • Clerk's Office Phone: (508) 747-8400

  • Clerk Magistrate: Adam J. Baler

  • Website: Plymouth District Court

• Brockton District Court
  
  

  • Handles cases from Brockton, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman, Abington.

  • Address: 215 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301

  • Phone: 508-587-8000

• Hingham District Court
  
  

  • Handles cases from Hingham, Hull, Hanover, Norwell, Rockland, Scituate.

  • Address: 28 George Washington Blvd, Hingham, MA 02043

  • Phone: 781-749-8580

• Wareham District Court
  
  

  • Handles cases from Wareham, Carver, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Rochester.

  • Address: 2200 Cranberry Highway, West Wareham, MA 02576

  • Phone: 508-295-5200

• Plymouth Superior Court
  
  

  • Handles more serious criminal cases (felonies) and major civil suits for the whole county.

  • Address: 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 (Inside the Plymouth Trial Court building)

  • Phone: (508) 322-4500

• Plymouth Probate and Family Court
  
  

  • Handles family matters like divorce, child custody, wills, estates. Warrants can arise from these cases too (e.g., failure to pay support).

  • Address: 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360

  • Check records via MassCourts or visit the Clerk's office there.

When visiting a court, ask for the Clerk's office. Explain you need to check for warrants. They will guide you on the process. Be polite and patient. They handle many requests each day.

Checking Plymouth County Inmate Records

Looking at inmate records is another path. It is not a direct warrant search. But if someone has an active arrest warrant, they might be arrested. If arrested, they might be in the county jail. The Plymouth County Correctional Facility holds inmates. Checking their roster can show if someone is currently held. The link provided earlier helps with this inmate search. An inmate search result might show the charges. This could relate to a warrant. But someone could have a warrant and not be in jail yet. So, this check is helpful but not complete. It shows who is jailed now. Not who has an outstanding warrant but is still free.

Understanding Warrant Information and Related Records

Massachusetts Warrant Management System (WMS)

This system is key to warrants in the state. As per MA General Laws Ch. 276, Sec 23A, court clerks enter warrant details into the WMS. This includes name, date of birth, address, offense details. Law enforcement agencies across the state can access this system. It ensures officers have current warrant information. When police stop someone, they often check the WMS. If a warrant pops up, they must confirm it is still active before arresting. The law requires courts check the WMS before releasing someone on bail too. This ensures outstanding warrants are addressed.

What Information is on a Warrant?

A valid warrant usually includes:

• The name of the person sought (or a description).

• The offense charged.

• An order for law enforcement to arrest the person.

• The name of the court issuing it.

• The date it was issued.

• Signature of the judge or clerk magistrate.

• Sometimes bail information.

Public vs. Confidential Records

While many court records are public, some parts are not. The state's public records law (MA General Laws Ch. 66) has exemptions. Things kept private often include:

• Details of ongoing police probes.

• Personal ID info like Social Security numbers.

• Grand jury secrets.

• Medical or mental health records.

• Juvenile case details.

• Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), which has its own access rules.

• Victim info in certain crimes like rape or domestic violence.

• Lawyer work notes.

So, while you can often confirm if a warrant exists, getting all details might be limited.

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)

CORI is the state's term for criminal history records. It is protected information. Access is restricted by law (MA General Laws Ch. 6, Sec 167-178B). You can request your own CORI. Employers and others may request it with your consent. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) manages CORI. You can request your record online via the iCORI service. A warrant might appear on a CORI report if it led to charges. But CORI is a history, not a real time warrant status check.

Accessing Court Dockets and Case Files

Court dockets list all actions in a case. They show dates, filings, and judge orders. Warrants issued often appear on the docket. You can view dockets online via MassCourts. Or see them at the courthouse. Full case files contain all documents. These are usually kept by the court clerk. You often need to visit the clerk's office to view full files. You may need to pay copy fees.

What to Do if You Have a Warrant in Plymouth County

Finding out you have a warrant is serious. It will not go away on its own. Taking steps to resolve it is vital. Ignoring it leads to more problems.

Seek Legal Advice

First, talk to a lawyer. An attorney can explain the warrant. They can advise the best way to handle it. They might be able to arrange a court date. They can represent you in court. This is very important. Especially for serious charges. A lawyer protects your rights. They know the court system well.

Turning Yourself In

Your lawyer will likely advise on surrender. This usually means going to the court that issued the warrant. Or sometimes to the Sheriff's Department. Arrange this with your lawyer if possible. They can often coordinate with the court or police. This can make the process smoother. It might help with bail issues too. Going in on your own terms is better than being arrested unexpectedly. Be prepared for processing and potential bail.

Clearing the Warrant

A warrant stays active until cleared. This usually means appearing in court. The judge will address the reason for the warrant. If it was for missing court, you will explain why. The underlying case will then move forward. If it was for not paying a fine, you may need to pay it. Resolving the core issue clears the warrant. Your lawyer is key in this process. They argue for your release. They handle the case details.

Bail and Recognizance

If arrested on a warrant, bail is a factor. Massachusetts law (MA General Laws Ch. 276, Sec 29) guides bail for warrants. The court checks the WMS first. If other warrants exist, bail must cover those too. Depending on the charge, you might be released on personal recognizance (your promise to return). Or you might need to post cash bail. The judge decides bail based on factors like the charge severity and your flight risk.

Official Resources and Contacts

Use these official sources for help. They provide direct information. Avoid relying only on third party sites. Official channels are most accurate.

• Plymouth County Sheriff's Department
  
  

  • Website: https://www.pcsdma.org/ 

  • Warrant Apprehension Unit Tip Line: 508-830-6205

  • Main Phone: 508-830-6200

  • Admin Address: 24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth MA 02360

  • Civil Process (Brockton): 508-580-2110 / 508-746-8800

• Massachusetts Trial Court
  
  

  • Online Case Access: https://www.masscourts.org/ 

  • General Information: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-court-system 

  • How to Search Dockets Guide: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/how-to-search-court-dockets 

• Plymouth District Court
  
  

  • Website: https://www.mass.gov/locations/plymouth-district-court 

  • Clerk's Office Phone: (508) 747-8400

  • Address: 52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360

• Plymouth County District Attorney's Office
  
  

  • (For general info, not direct warrant checks usually)

  • Public Records Info: https://plymouthda.com/public-records-requests/ 

  • Brockton Office Phone: 508-584-8120

  • Address: 166 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301

• Massachusetts General Laws (Online)
  
  

  • Warrant Management System (Ch. 276, Sec 23A): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleII/Chapter276/Section23A 

  • Public Records Law (Ch. 66): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleX/Chapter66 

  • Bail and Warrant Checks (Ch. 276, Sec 29): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleII/Chapter276/Section29 

• Plymouth County Public Records Access Officer
  
  

  • (For requests about general county records, not typically for immediate warrant checks)

  • Name: Frank Basler, County Administrator

  • Phone: (508) 830-9104

  • Email: fbasler@plymouthcountyma.gov

  • Address: 44 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360