Access Nantucket Bench Warrants

Nantucket County sits on an island 30 miles south of Cape Cod. Bench warrants here are issued by the Nantucket District Court and served by the Nantucket County Sheriff. With about 14,000 year-round residents, this is the smallest county in Massachusetts by population. The island location creates distinct challenges for warrant service and court proceedings. This page covers how to check on a bench warrant, who to call, and what steps to take if you need to resolve one in Nantucket County.

Nantucket County Sheriff and Warrants

The Nantucket County Sheriff's Office is at 20 New South Rd, Nantucket, MA 02554. Call (508) 228-7280. The sheriff serves bench warrants on the island. Due to Nantucket's geographic isolation, warrant enforcement works a bit differently than on the mainland. The sheriff coordinates with the Nantucket Police Department for most bench warrant pickups. If the person with a warrant is on the island, local law enforcement handles the arrest and brings them to court.

One thing that sets Nantucket County apart is custody housing. The sheriff sends people held in custody to Barnstable County for housing. There is no large jail on the island. That means a bench warrant arrest on Nantucket can lead to transport off the island to a facility on Cape Cod. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 6, warrants can be served any day at any hour. An active bench warrant in Nantucket County stays in the system until the court recalls it or the person is brought in.

The sheriff's office handles public records requests too. Send a written request with the full name and date of birth of the person you are asking about. The office follows the same state rules on response times as every other county in Massachusetts.

Nantucket District Court

The Nantucket District Court is at 16 Broad St in Nantucket. Call (508) 228-2689. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is the only court in Nantucket County. Every bench warrant case on the island goes through this courthouse. The court handles misdemeanors, some felonies, and civil matters.

Superior Court holds sessions on Nantucket from time to time. These are not daily. A Superior Court judge comes to the island for scheduled sessions to handle felony cases and more serious criminal matters. If your bench warrant is tied to a felony, call the clerk at (508) 228-2689 to find out when the next Superior Court session is. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 2, all bench warrants must be in writing and signed by a judge or clerk-magistrate. The Nantucket court follows the same rules as every other Massachusetts court.

The screenshot below shows the Nantucket District Court page on the state court website where you can find hours and contact details.

Check this page for current hours and any schedule changes before you visit the courthouse.

Nantucket Island Warrant Challenges

Nantucket is 30 miles off the coast. Getting to the island requires a ferry or a flight. That distance creates real challenges for bench warrant proceedings. If you have a warrant in Nantucket County and live on the mainland, you will need to plan a trip to the island to appear in court. The Steamship Authority runs ferries from Hyannis to Nantucket. The trip takes about two hours and fifteen minutes. Flights from Hyannis, Boston, and other airports also serve the island.

The geographic isolation can also cause delays in warrant proceedings. A person picked up on a bench warrant on Nantucket may need to wait for transport or for a judge to hold a session. During the summer, Nantucket's population can swell to over 50,000 with tourists and seasonal workers. Court activity and bench warrant cases tend to rise during those months. Warrants from summer incidents stay active through the winter and beyond. Massachusetts bench warrants never expire under state law.

Checking Nantucket Bench Warrants

No public warrant roster exists for Nantucket County. The state does not put one out. Here is how to check.

Call the sheriff at (508) 228-7280. They can look up active bench warrants by name. You can also call or visit the Nantucket District Court at (508) 228-2689. The clerk will search the case records and tell you if there is a bench warrant. Bring a photo ID if you go in person. The MassCourts portal is an online option. It shows case information for Trial Courts across Massachusetts. Some bench warrant data may appear in the case status but not all details are visible to the public.

The iCORI system runs criminal background checks that can show bench warrant history. The fee is $25 per search. You need a valid ID and Social Security Number to use it. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 23A, law enforcement must keep records of warrants issued and served. That information feeds into the databases that agencies use to track active warrants in Nantucket County.

Resolving a Nantucket Bench Warrant

If you have an active bench warrant in Nantucket County, take care of it soon. Warrants do not go away on their own. They stay active until a judge recalls them or you are brought in. An active bench warrant can mean arrest at a traffic stop, at the airport, or during any contact with police in Massachusetts.

Call the Nantucket District Court at (508) 228-2689. Ask the clerk about a voluntary surrender or a motion to recall the warrant. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 82A, you can ask the judge to vacate the default if you show up and give a valid reason for missing your court date. Showing up on your own is better than being picked up by the sheriff. Plan your trip to the island well. Book your ferry or flight ahead of time. Bring your ID, case papers, and anything else the clerk tells you to bring.

A lawyer can file a motion to recall the bench warrant for you. The Massachusetts Bar Association has a referral line at 1-800-392-5660. Legal help is a good idea for Nantucket cases since the travel and logistics add extra steps to the process.

Nantucket Warrant Records Requests

Massachusetts law gives you the right to request public records. Under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, you can submit a written request for records from any government agency. The state public records request page explains the process. For bench warrant records in Nantucket County, send your request to the court clerk at 16 Broad St or the sheriff at 20 New South Rd. Include the full name, date of birth, and what records you want.

The Massachusetts public records request portal is shown below. You can use it to submit requests to state and local agencies, including Nantucket County offices.

The office must respond within 10 business days. Some records tied to active cases or sealed matters may be restricted. Juvenile bench warrant records are never public. If a record is partly exempt, the office will tell you which parts they can share.

Nearby Counties

Barnstable County on Cape Cod is the closest county to Nantucket. Check this page for bench warrant resources in the area.