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Berkshire County, Massachusetts State Court Records

In Berkshire County, Massachusetts, court records are government files that reveal court activities, such as case proceedings and judicial administration matters. Such records typically reveal the basic information about the case parties, dockets, motions, case identifiers, and court judgments. Court documents may also include public records that were filed during case proceedings. Case in point: concerned parties may find vital records and arrest reports in domestic abuse cases.

The clerks of the courts are the official record custodians of court records in Berkshire County. Concerned parties must contact the courts to obtain court documents and related information.

Are Berkshire County Court Records Public?

Yes, most court records in Berkshire County are accessible to the public. The Uniform Rules on Public Access to Court Records allow the public to request and obtain copies of records from designated agencies. The agencies are required to disclose records to record seekers who follow the legal procedures.

Note that specific court records are exempt from public access. Massachusetts laws may exempt public access to records that may violate the privacy or safety of concerned parties. Non-public court records in Berkshire County may include the following:

  • Personal identification details, such as social security number and driver's license.
  • Sealed or expunged court records.
  • Information that may interfere with an ongoing criminal case prosecution.
  • Information that may violate the privacy of minors, victims, witnesses, and juries.
  • Mental health-related case proceedings.

What Information is Available in Berkshire County Court Records?

Berkshire County court records may reveal the following information:

  • Personal information of case parties and their attorneys.
  • Case identifiers, such as case number, hearing dates, and judge's name.
  • Docket entries.
  • Filed documents, such as petitions and reports.
  • Court orders, decrees, and judgments.

Berkshire County Court Records Search

In Berkshire County, record seekers may search and obtain court records by using these options:

Online Access

Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access maintains online access to court records in Berkshire County. Record seekers may look up records on the platform by providing search details, such as the case number, case type, and citation number.

In-Person Access

To access court records in-person, record seekers must first identify the court that heard the case. Court clerks maintain records of cases heard in the court. The Berkshire Probate and Family Court handles cases like divorce, name changes, and administration of a decedent's estate. In contrast, you may find criminal and civil cases in the custody of the Berkshire Superior Court and District Courts. The former oversees more severe felony cases and civil cases with high financial thresholds.

Upon verifying this information, record seekers must submit their request to the courthouse during official business hours. For cases heard at the superior court, record seekers must submit their request to this address:

76 East Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

Phone: (413) 443-7438

Record seekers may also view court records using public terminals installed in the court premises.

Mail and Phone Requests

There is no public information on submitting mail requests for court records in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Nevertheless, record seekers may submit a written request to the court's mail address. The request must include the following details:

  • The requester's personal and contact information.
  • Details about the requested document, including the case party name and number.
  • Copy of a valid ID if the record includes confidential information.

Fees for Court Records in Berkshire County

In Berkshire County, record seekers must pay specific fees for requesting court records. The fees may vary based on the document type. Per the Massachusetts Uniform Schedule of Fees, record seekers must pay $0.05 per page of unattested copies and $2.50 per certified or attested copy of court records. The cost is $10 for digital recordings of court records, while the judgment certificates cost $20.

Berkshire County Courthouse Locations

Berkshire County's trial court system comprises the Superior Court, District Court, Probate and Family Court, and Juvenile Courts. Interested parties may find the courts at these locations:

Berkshire County Superior Court

76 East Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

Phone: (413) 499-7487

Fax: (413) 442-9190

Southern Berkshire County District Court

9 Gilmore Avenue

Great Barrington, MA 01230

Phone: (413) 528-3520

Fax: (413) 528-0757

Northern Berkshire County District Court

111 Holden Street

North Adams, MA 01247

Phone: (413) 663-5339

Fax: (413) 664-7209

Pittsfield District Court

24 Wendell Avenue

P.O. Box 875

Pittsfield, MA 01202

Phone: (413) 499-0558

Fax: (413) 499-7327

Western Housing District Court - Pittsfield Session

76 East Street

Room 2

Pittsfield, MA 01201

Phone: (413) 748-7838

Fax: (413) 732-4607

Great Barrington Juvenile Court

9 Gilmore Avenue

Great Barrington, MA 01230

Phone: (413) 528-3520

North Adams Juvenile Court

111 Holden Street

2nd Floor

North Adams, MA 01247

Phone: (413) 664-8700

Fax: (413) 664-7788

Pittsfield Juvenile Court

190 North Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

Phone: (413) 443-8533

Fax: (413) 443-8672

Berkshire Probate and Family Court

44 Bank Row

Pittsfield, MA 01201

Phone: (413) 442-6941

Fax: (413) 443-3430

Criminal Records Access in Berkshire County

The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice handles all requests for criminal history checks in Berkshire County. As the official record custodian, the agency allows online searches or mail-based requests for criminal records. Record seekers may conduct online searches using the agency's Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. To look up records on the system, record seekers must provide relevant search details and pay a $25 search fee.

Record seekers using the mail-based request option must follow these steps:

  1. Complete the CORI request form and sign it in the presence of a notary public.
  2. Attach a $25 money order made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  3. Submit the form via mail to this address:

Department of Criminal Justice Information Services

200 Arlington Street

Suite 2200

Chelsea, MA 02150

Attn: CORI Unit

Local case records are not the same as criminal history files. The former only reveals information about criminal case proceedings, while criminal history files are a summary of an individual's criminal past. In terms of accessibility, record seekers may look up case records via the clerks of the courts. The court clerks allow in-person inquiries for such records.

Berkshire County Probate Records

In Berkshire County, probate records contain information about probate-type issues heard at the probate court. The court oversees probate issues, such as estate administration, appointment of guardians, and name changes.

Probate records mostly contain public information. The public is generally able to view basic case information, transcripts, and court judgments. However, the state law restricts access to files that may endanger the lives of concerned parties. Non-public probate case files may include personal financial records, mental health reports, and the personal details of minors in probate case proceedings.

Berkshire County Family Court Records

Family law cases are under the jurisdiction of the Probate and Family Court in Berkshire County. The court oversees cases, such as divorce, child custody, and spousal support.

Record seekers may look up Berkshire County family court records by using options provided by government agencies. The Massachusetts Trial Court Access platform allows online searches for family court cases. Record seekers may view records on the platform by providing the case number, type, and party name. In contrast, record seekers may obtain physical copies of the records by submitting a request to the court's physical address at:

44 Bank Row

Pittsfield, MA 01201

Phone: (413) 442-6941

Fax: (413) 443-3430

The court charges $2.50 for certified records and $20 for certificates of judgments. To obtain confidential documents, record seekers must provide a valid ID as proof of eligibility.

Federal Court Records in Berkshire County

The District Court for the District of Massachusetts oversees federal cases originating from Berkshire County. Federal cases under the court's jurisdiction include bankruptcy, civil rights violations, and copyright disputes.

Federal court records in Berkshire County are accessible through online or offline options. The PACER system provides online access to federal court records. Record seekers must create an account and provide relevant data to view records on the system. In contrast, the federal court allows in-person inquiries for court records. Record seekers may obtain records by submitting their request to this address:

Springfield Courthouse

300 State Street

Suite 101

Springfield, MA 01105-2918.

Phone: (413) 785-6800.

Berkshire County Court