Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

Can I access someone's police record?

I need to know whether someone has been arrested in New Bedford, Massachusetts at any time in the past. Are police records open to public view? If not, where can I obtain this kind of information?


Asked on 4/20/02, 5:07 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Barbara C. Johnson Law Office of Barbara C. Johnson

Re: Can I access someone's police record?

There are many URLs dealing with CORI in Massachusetts,

One of them is http://www.state.ma.us:80/doi/Legal_Hearings/legal_1033_CORI.html, which I've inserted here below.

In general, questions regarding the CORI Regulations may be sent to the Department at [email protected]

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)

Organizations Engaged in the Business of Insurance

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, § 172(b) and (c), a general grant of access to criminal

offender record information (CORI) is given to those organizations engaged in the business of insurance for the

purpose of screening current and otherwise qualified prospective employees to conduct CORI checks, pursuant to

18 U.S.C. 1033 and 1034, on agents, brokers, claims persons, sales persons, internal auditors, treasurers,

directors, officers, and employees who have access to claim accounts, accounts of insured, and to premiums.

CORI obtained for purposes of this certification shall be utilized solely for such purposes. All copies of CORI shall

be disseminated only in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

All requests for such information must be made to the Criminal History Systems Board, CORI Records Unit, 200

Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Forms for such requests can be obtained from the Board, and

must contain the signature of the applicant acknowledging that we/she has been advised that a record check will be

conducted. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for response by the Board.

Entities engaged in the business of insurance that want to be certified to receive pending and conviction CORI on

employees and agents who fall within the scope of the grant can obtain an application on the Criminal History

Systems Board website at www.state.ma.us/chsb, or by calling the CORI unit at (617) 660-4760.

Please be reminded that pursuant to M.G.L. c. 6, §§ 167 - 187B, any unauthorized dissemination of CORI may

subject the offending agency or individual to a fine of $5,000 and/or up to one year in a House of Correction, in

addition to the civil penalties described in section 177.

Approved: September 19, 2001

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Answered on 4/20/02, 5:20 pm
Richard B. Huttner Richard B. Huttner, P.C.

Re: Can I access someone's police record?

Contact the Massachusetts Bureau of Investigations to run a criminal history check. You could also hire a private investigator or look on the internet for companies that run criminal histories. Criminal histories are public records

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Answered on 4/20/02, 6:40 pm


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