Start a Free Massachusetts Probation Search via Official Sources

Perform a free Massachusetts probation search seamlessly using the methods covered in this resource.

Prior to performing such a search, it’s important to understand the difference between probation and parole, which are both forms of community supervision. The primary difference is that probation is given as an alternative to jail time or to reduce a sentence for a minor crime, while parole is granted to release a prisoner prior to completing their entire sentence.

This resource discusses how to access pertinent information for individuals on probation in Massachusetts, including how to determine who is under community supervision, who their supervising officer is, and how to contact them. It also briefly discusses how to find information about parolees in the state.

How To Conduct a Free Massachusetts Probation Search

In Massachusetts, criminal records are only available to a limited extent to the public.

It’s possible to look up whether an individual has been charged with or convicted of a crime by using the Access Massachusetts Court Cases online platform, which is a step toward locating details about probation in the state.¹ This platform is free to use and does not require an account but only provides limited information that will help later.

To begin with this tool, first select a court department, which would be either the district or superior court for criminal records, depending on the offense. Then, select the correlating court division, which would be where the probationer committed and was charged with a crime.

This opens a new menu, allowing for four search options: name, case type, case number or ticket/citation number. The most straightforward for identifying a probationer is likely the name search.

In the name search, a first and last name are required. Leave the “case type” drop-down menu on “all cases,” as this will pull up criminal cases as well — there is no option to select a criminal case on it. Select “defendant” under party type to further narrow down the results to criminal cases.

If you know the individual’s date of birth (or a range of when their date of birth likely was) or have a file date range, you can further hone the search parameters to make it more likely to return the correct individual.

Any criminal records matching the search parameters will be pulled up once the search is completed, but it will only report limited information, including:

• Case number
• File date
• Initiating action (the crime the individual is accused of)
• Party type
• Birth year
• Case status
• The court with jurisdiction over the case

While this won’t reveal probation information, it does provide everything needed to complete a much more specific criminal record check through the state. Records can be requested through the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services’ Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) tool.² This tool comes with a $25 fee per search, so having as much information as possible to return the most accurate results is crucial.

To complete a CORI request, individuals must first create an account, providing identifying information as well as the reason for which they intend to search. For most people performing a probation search in Massachusetts, the purpose is “open access.”

Once an account is made, it’s possible to search for people by name. There are options to include up to four former last names. A date of birth is a requirement, and you can include the last six digits of a Social Security number if you have it.

From there, records can further be optimized by selecting the potential probationer’s sex, race and legal parents’ names that would appear on their birth certificate. Once this information is entered, select either “add and checkout” or “add and request another” at the bottom of the page.

After paying, the records request is submitted. Within 10 business days, results should be received.

Search Probationers’ Records via Municipal or County Agencies in Massachusetts

At the municipal and county levels, public records encompass criminal histories that may reveal information about dispositions, including potential sentences regarding probation.

Probation search information can be accessed using the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) tool as detailed above, but there are additional venues to inspect and request records. Below are details about receiving records from some of the most populous localities in the state.

In Middlesex County, public records, including open records pertaining to criminal history, can be requested through the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. To request them, submit a description of the records and the preferred format for receiving them. These documents can be requested from:

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
Legal Division
12 Gill Street, Suite 4700
Woburn, MA 01801

Phone: (781) 960-2800
Email: publicrecords@sdm.state.ma.us

The city of Worcester, located within Worcester County, makes public records requests convenient. The Worcester District Court recommends using the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access detailed above. The court clerk may also be able to assist with records requests at the following contact information:

Worcester District Court
Court Clerk
225 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: (508) 831-2010
Fax: (508) 797-0716
Email: cmworcesterdc@jud.state.ma.us

Individuals can also place public records requests through the City of Worcester online using the Public Records Center. In most cases, written responses are fulfilled in 10 business days or less, but private information may be redacted within them. For assistance using this platform, contact:

City of Worcester – Law Department
MA Records Access Officer (RAO)
455 Main Street, Room 303
Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: (508) 799-8606

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department maintains public records, which can be requested via phone, via email or in person at:

Essex County Sheriff’s Department
Public Information Officer
20 Manning Avenue, P.O. Box 807
Middleton, MA 01949

Phone: (978) 750-1900 ext. 3361
Email: ggrosky@essexsheriffma.org

In Suffolk County, the district attorney’s office maintains public records pertaining to criminal investigations and prosecutions. These can be requested online using a Public Records Request form or by email at SCDAOPRR@state.ma.us or phone at (617) 619-4131.³

The Norfolk County Commissioner’s Office has a Records Access Officer responsible for handling public records requests. These can be requested by mail using a Norfolk County Commissioners’ Public Records Request form and returned to:⁴

Commissioners’ Records Access Officer of Norfolk County
614-High St., Ste. 201, P.O. Box-310
Dedham, Massachusetts – 02027

How To View Probationers’ Violations & Contact Their Supervising Officers in MA

If someone you’ve found through a probation search in Massachusetts has violated the terms of their supervision, you may feel the need to report their behaviors to their supervising officer. This is often recommended, especially if there’s a risk to themselves or others.

It’s not always clear how to find the correct officer online, but you can often reach out to the probation office overseeing the probationer’s supervision to leave a message. They can ensure that the correct officer receives the information.

The state keeps a compilation of several probation service contacts, including for administrative services, legal services and program services.⁵ Individual probation departments can also typically be found in superior courts for the county. For example, the Suffolk County Superior Court operates the local probation department and lists the following contact information:⁶

Suffolk County Superior Court
3 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 788-7255
Fax: (617) 788-7277

Searching for the superior court in the county where the probationer lives and was sentenced in is most likely to yield results for their supervising officer.

How To Access Information on Massachusetts Parolees

Parole records in Massachusetts are somewhat protected. The Massachusetts Parole Board offers some records but only allows personal records with authorization from the individual.⁷

It’s possible to submit a public records request online, but there is no guarantee they’ll be granted.⁸ Otherwise, direct them to:

Massachusetts Parole Board
12 Mercer Road
Natick, MA 01760

Phone: (508) 650-4500
Fax: (508) 650-4599
Email: par.rao@state.ma.us

All records requests should include a description of the desired records and a preferred format. Depending on the request, a fee may be incurred. The first 4 hours of work to respond to the records request is free of charge, but afterward, fees of $25 per hour will be accrued.

The resources provided above should assist anyone in determining if someone is on probation.

Run a Massachusetts probation search using these tools and learn about the release status and supervising officer of any individual. 

To find out more about anybody throughout the state, check out the Massachusetts criminal and arrest record search overview along with the steps for accessing MA free public information (marriages, divorces, court records, property, and much more).