Massachusetts records over 89,000 arrests annually, and law enforcement agencies in Berkshire County make about 1,500 of them. In Berkshire County, arrest records are open to the public, according to the Massachusetts Public Records Laws. Consequently, members of the public can view and obtain copies of arrest records, typically for a fee ranging from $0.25 to $30.
However, certain records, including juvenile records, medical and mental health records, information on ongoing investigations, and records that can affect public or personal safety, are exempted from public access by statutes and court orders. These records may only be accessed by persons named on the records, their attorneys, local law enforcement agencies, and state agencies. State licensing bodies, judicial officers, and the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office can also access the records.
Individuals may access Berkshire County arrest records through several agencies, including local police departments, the sheriff's office, courts, and the Massachusetts Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification.
Interested persons can inspect or obtain copies of arrest records from the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office. They can request the county's arrest records by mailing or visiting the Sheriff's Office at:
Berkshire County Sheriff's Office
Records Access Officer
467 Cheshire Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (413) 443-7220 ext. 1402
Fax: (413) 443-3899
Persons interested in accessing Berkshire County arrest records can go to the local police department in charge of the municipality where the arrest was made. They must provide basic information about the arrest, including the name of the person arrested and the date of the arrest. Some police departments charge fees for producing copies of the records, while some also provide remote electronic access to their arrest and incident logs. Notable police departments in the county include:
The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS), through the Massachusetts Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification, collates, analyzes, and maintains criminal history records, including arrest records, from law enforcement agencies across the state. Record seekers can obtain copies of these records online through the department's Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (iCORI) platform. They can also mail the completed CORI request form with applicable fees to:
Department of Criminal Justice Information Services
Attn: CORI Unit
200 Arlington Street
Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
The DCJIS charges a processing fee of $25 per request. Record seekers can contact the DCJIS at (617) 660-4600 for more information.
Berkshire County trial courts generate and maintain criminal court records, including arrest records for arrests that led to formal charges. The Berkshire County Superior Court hears criminal cases punishable with more than five years imprisonment, while the county's various District Courts handle cases with lesser sentences. These records can be seen in person at the courthouse where the case was filed or online through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access website provided by the Massachusetts Judicial Branch.
Alternatively, persons interested in obtaining Berkshire County arrest records may use trustworthy third-party websites like InfoTracer to access them. These resources typically provide faster and more convenient access.
Based on a population of 1,000 residents, Berkshire County has an arrest rate of 11.9 and a crime rate of 19.5. Below are some arrest figures recorded in Berkshire County during this period:
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder | 1 |
| Robbery | 5 |
| Aggravated Assault | 252 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 15 |
| Burglary | 28 |
| Larceny Theft | 60 |
| Sexual Assault | 51 |
| Fraud | 8 |
| Total Arres | 1,517 |
Source: Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS)
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Adams Police Department | 4 School Street | 413.743.1212 |
| Cheshire Police Department | 90 Church St | (413)743-1501 |
| Dalton Police Department | 462 Main Street | (413)684-0300 |
| Great Barrington Police Department | 465 Main Street | 413-528-0306 |
| Hinsdale Police Department | PO Box 463 | (413)655-0201 |
| Lee Police Department | 32 Main St | 413-243-2100 |
| Lenox Police Department | 6 Walker Street | (413)637-2346 |
| Monterey Police Department | 435 Main Rd | 413-528-3211 |
| Pittsfield Police Department | 39 Allen St | (413) 448-9700 |
| Stockbridge Police Department | 6 Main St | (413)298-5530 |
| Williamstown Police Department | 31 North St | (413)458-5733 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Berkshire County MA Student Resource Center | 7 Whipple Street | 413-443-5942 |