Boston Bench Warrants
Boston bench warrants are handled through the Boston Municipal Court, Suffolk Superior Court, and the Boston Police Department. As the state capital and largest city in Massachusetts, Boston sees a high number of bench warrant cases each year. You can check for active bench warrants by contacting the court clerk, visiting the police public service counter, or searching state databases. This page covers where to go, who to call, and how to take care of a bench warrant in Boston.
Boston Bench Warrants at a Glance
Boston Police Warrant Checks
The Boston Police Department is the main law enforcement agency in the city. Their headquarters is at One Schroeder Plaza in Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120. The main phone number is (617) 343-4500. For non-emergency calls, use (617) 343-4240. Boston Police can run a bench warrant check through the state Warrant Management System if you call or visit in person.
The Public Service Counter on the first floor of police headquarters handles warrant checks for walk-in visitors. It is part of the Licensing Division. Call (617) 343-4633 to ask about hours. The counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can tell you if there is an active bench warrant under your name in Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 6, a bench warrant can be served any day at any time, so knowing your status matters.
For records requests tied to bench warrants, email policereport@pd.boston.gov or contact the public records office at publicrecords@boston.gov. The mailing address is 1 City Hall Square, Room 615, Boston, MA 02201. You can also call (617) 635-4037. Written requests should include the full name and date of birth of the person you are asking about.
Boston Courts and Bench Warrants
Boston Municipal Court Central is the main court for bench warrant cases in the city. It sits at 24 New Chardon Street in downtown Boston. The phone number is (617) 788-8600. BMC Central handles misdemeanor and some felony cases that start in Boston. If a judge issues a bench warrant because someone missed a court date here, the case stays with BMC Central until the warrant is cleared. The clerk's office can search for active bench warrants by name.
Suffolk Superior Court handles more serious cases. It is at 3 Pemberton Square. Call (617) 788-8160. Felony bench warrants from Boston often go through this court. The clerk can look up your case and tell you what steps are needed to resolve a bench warrant. Both courts are part of the Massachusetts Trial Court system, and case data may appear on the MassCourts public access portal.
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office also plays a role in bench warrant enforcement in Boston. Reach them at (617) 635-1100. Deputies from this office serve warrants and can confirm if one is active. They work with Boston Police and the courts to track down people with outstanding bench warrants in the city.
Note: Boston Municipal Court has multiple divisions across the city, but BMC Central at 24 New Chardon Street handles the largest share of bench warrant cases.
Search Boston Bench Warrants Online
No single website lists all active bench warrants in Boston. The state does not publish a public warrant roster. But you have a few ways to search from home.
The MassCourts portal lets you look up case records from any Trial Court in Massachusetts, including Boston Municipal Court and Suffolk Superior Court. Search by name or case number. You may see case status, next court dates, and some warrant information. Not all bench warrant details show up on the public site. Some cases are sealed or impounded by a judge, which means they will not appear in search results at all.
The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services runs the iCORI system for criminal record checks. CORI results can include bench warrant history as part of a person's criminal background. The fee is $25 per search. You need a valid photo ID and a Social Security Number. Online results come back fast. Mail requests take up to 10 business days. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 23A, law enforcement agencies must keep records of all warrants issued and served, so the data is in the system even if public access has limits.
The screenshot below shows the DCJIS homepage where you can access the iCORI criminal record search tool used for bench warrant background checks in Boston and across Massachusetts.
Visit the DCJIS page to start a CORI check or learn more about what criminal history records are available for Boston residents.
Clearing a Boston Bench Warrant
Take care of a bench warrant soon. It will not go away on its own. Bench warrants in Boston stay active until a judge recalls them or law enforcement picks you up. You could face arrest during a traffic stop, at Logan Airport, or any time your name gets run through the system.
The first step is to call the court that issued the warrant. For BMC Central, dial (617) 788-8600. For Suffolk Superior Court, call (617) 788-8160. Ask the clerk about a voluntary surrender or a motion to recall. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 82A, you can ask the judge to vacate a default and recall the bench warrant if you show up and give a good reason for missing your court date. Bring your ID and any papers tied to the case. Showing up on your own is always better than getting picked up by the warrant unit.
A lawyer can help with this process. They can file a motion to recall before you go to court. The Massachusetts Bar Association referral line is 1-800-392-5660. Legal aid groups in Boston also help people who cannot afford a private attorney.
Note: If you have a bench warrant in Boston, do not wait for police to come to you because resolving it on your own terms gives you more options.
Boston Bench Warrant Records
You have the right to ask for public records in Massachusetts. Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, any person can submit a written request to a government agency. The state public records request page has the full process. For bench warrant records in Boston, send your request to the court clerk or the Suffolk County Sheriff's Public Records Office.
A bench warrant record in Boston will show the person's full name, date of birth, and physical description. It lists the case number, the court that issued it, and the judge who signed it. The reason for the warrant goes on the document too. Common reasons include failure to appear, a probation violation, or default on a court-ordered payment. Bail amounts and any conditions are also listed. The Massachusetts State Police can also verify bench warrant details at (508) 820-2300.
The screenshot below shows the Massachusetts State Police homepage, which provides access to statewide warrant verification services available to Boston residents.
State Police maintain access to both state and federal warrant databases and can confirm if a bench warrant is active for anyone in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts.
Suffolk County Bench Warrants
Boston is the county seat of Suffolk County. All bench warrant cases in the city go through the Suffolk County court system. For more details on warrant resources across the county, including the city of Revere, visit the full county page.