Find Bench Warrants in Plymouth County
Plymouth County bench warrants get issued when someone misses a court hearing or violates a condition set by a judge. The county covers a large area south of Boston with courts in Brockton, Plymouth, and Hingham. Around 530,000 people live here, which means a high volume of court cases and bench warrants each year. Whether you need to check on a bench warrant or want to clear one, this page walks you through the courts, sheriff contacts, and search tools that handle bench warrants in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
Plymouth County at a Glance
Plymouth County Warrant Apprehension Unit
The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office has one of the more established Warrant Apprehension Units in Massachusetts. Created in 1997, the unit has five officers who are all deputized as special U.S. Marshals. That federal authority lets them cross state lines and work with the U.S. Marshals Service on fugitive cases. The unit coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies to track down people with active bench warrants in Plymouth County.
The sheriff's main office is at 24 Long Pond Road in Plymouth, MA 02360. Call (508) 830-6200 to reach them. The Warrant Apprehension Unit works out of 26 Long Pond Road, right next door. Because the officers hold federal deputization, Plymouth County bench warrants get extra enforcement reach compared to many other counties. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 6, bench warrants can be served any day at any time, and this unit takes full advantage of that authority. They run operations at all hours.
The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office website lists contact information and details about their warrant enforcement work.
Check this site for the latest news on warrant sweeps and office hours in Plymouth County.
Civil Process for Plymouth County is handled at 9B Cook Street in Brockton, MA 02301. This office deals with court papers but can also direct you to the warrant unit if you need to ask about a bench warrant.
Courts That Issue Plymouth County Bench Warrants
Plymouth County has two Superior Courts and three District Courts. Superior Courts handle the most serious cases. The Plymouth Superior Court is at 52 Obery Street in Plymouth. Call (508) 747-8400. The Brockton Superior Court sits at 72 Belmont Street with a phone number of (508) 586-2000. Both can issue bench warrants for felony cases and other matters that reach the Superior Court level.
District Courts see the bulk of bench warrant activity in Plymouth County. The Brockton District Court at 215 Main Street handles a large share of cases. Brockton is the biggest city in the county, so this court stays busy. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 22, when someone fails to appear after being summoned, the court enters a default and issues a bench warrant. This happens often at the District Court level where case volumes are high. Plymouth District Court is at 52 Obery Street, and you can call (508) 747-8400. Hingham District Court serves the northern part of Plymouth County.
The Brockton District Court page has details on hours, location, and how to reach the clerk about bench warrants.
The clerk at Brockton District Court can look up whether a bench warrant is active on a case.
Note: Plymouth County bench warrants stay in the Warrant Management System until a judge recalls them or the person is arrested, with no set time limit.
How to Search Plymouth County Warrants
Start with MassCourts to search court records in Plymouth County. The portal is free to use at courthouse terminals. You can look up cases by name, case number, or citation. Online access works too, but bench warrant status may not show in full for all Plymouth County cases. Sealed or impounded records will not appear at all.
The iCORI system lets you run a criminal record check that may include bench warrant data for Plymouth County. It costs $25 per search. You need a photo ID and Social Security Number. Results from iCORI show criminal history, which can include open bench warrants and default entries. For a faster check, call the Plymouth County Sheriff at (508) 830-6200. The Warrant Apprehension Unit can tell you if a bench warrant is active. You can also walk into any District Court clerk's office during business hours and ask them to check.
The Plymouth District Court handles warrant inquiries for cases filed in the Plymouth area.
Visit during business hours or call ahead to confirm the clerk can assist with your bench warrant question.
Resolving a Plymouth County Bench Warrant
The smart move is to deal with a bench warrant before law enforcement finds you. Contact the court clerk where the case was filed. Ask about a voluntary surrender or recall hearing. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 82A, a Plymouth County court can vacate a default and recall a bench warrant if you appear and show good cause for your absence. Judges look at why you missed court, how long the warrant has been open, and whether you turned yourself in willingly.
Bring your photo ID and any documents tied to the case. A lawyer can file a motion to recall the bench warrant on your behalf before you go to court. The Massachusetts Bar referral line is 1-800-392-5660. Under M.G.L. c. 276, § 87, probation officers also play a role in bench warrant cases tied to probation violations in Plymouth County. If your bench warrant came from a probation issue, the probation department at the court will be involved in the resolution process.
You can request records about bench warrants through a public records request under M.G.L. c. 66, § 10. Send a written request to the relevant agency's Records Access Officer. Courts respond within 10 business days.
Note: Turning yourself in on a Plymouth County bench warrant often leads to a better outcome than waiting for arrest during a routine traffic stop.
Plymouth County Cities
Two cities in Plymouth County have their own bench warrant resource pages with local court and law enforcement contacts.