Search Lynn Criminal History
Lynn criminal history records are maintained by several agencies across Essex County. The city has its own district court for most cases, while serious felony charges go to Essex County Superior Court in Salem. Lynn is one of the larger cities in Essex County, with about 102,000 residents. Finding criminal records here means knowing which court or agency holds what you need. This page covers the main offices, how to search online, how to get CORI reports, and what to know about sealing old records.
Lynn Overview
Where Lynn Criminal Cases Are Filed
Lynn District Court handles most criminal cases that start in Lynn. That includes misdemeanors, lower-level felonies, and initial arraignments on more serious charges. Essex County Superior Court in Salem takes over when cases involve major felonies, indictments, or jury trials. The Superior Court is at 56 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970.
Both courts are part of the Massachusetts court system under mass.gov. Criminal cases filed in Lynn follow the same basic path: arrest, arraignment at district court, then either resolution at district court or elevation to superior court. Each court keeps its own docket, but both appear in the statewide case portal.
For records requests, contact the clerk at the relevant court. Certified copies cost $2.50 per page. Non-certified copies are $0.05 per page. If you are not sure which court has the case you need, start with the online search at masscourts.org and look up the case by name or number.
Essex County Superior Court handles the most serious criminal matters from Lynn and covers all of Essex County. It is the court of record for felony trials and appeals from district court. Clerk staff can help you locate a specific case and explain how to get copies of filed documents.
Lynn Police Department Records
The Lynn Police Department Records Division handles requests for arrest records, incident reports, and police logs. The department is at 300 Washington Street, Lynn, MA 01902. Main line is (781) 595-2000. The Records Division direct extension is 4309.
Arrest logs and incident reports are generally public under Massachusetts public records law once a case is no longer under active investigation. Some details may be withheld to protect witnesses or ongoing cases. You submit a written request. The department has ten business days to respond. Most requests are handled faster than that.
You can reach the Lynn Police Department through their city page at lynnma.gov. The website has department contact information and some guidance on public records requests. Written requests can be delivered in person, mailed, or emailed depending on the department's current process.
Police records show the arrest date, charges, booking details, and officer information. They do not show what happened in court after the arrest. For that, you need court records. Both types of records together give a more complete picture of a person's criminal history.
The image below shows the Essex County Superior Court page, which handles serious felony cases originating in Lynn.
Essex County Superior Court - official page
Serious criminal cases from Lynn are heard at Essex County Superior Court in Salem, making it an important source for felony-level criminal history records.
Lynn City Clerk Records
The Lynn City Clerk's Office is at 3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA 01901. Phone is (781) 586-6800. The city clerk keeps official city records, vital records, and other public documents. The clerk does not hold criminal court records, but vital records from this office are sometimes needed in legal proceedings.
Birth, death, and marriage records can be requested at the city clerk's office. Fees apply per record. You can learn more and find request procedures at lynnma.gov/departments/city_clerk. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
Under Massachusetts public records law, the city clerk must respond to records requests within ten business days. Most routine records requests are processed faster. If the clerk cannot provide what you need, they can direct you to the right office or court. For criminal-specific records, the police department and courts are the main sources.
Searching Lynn Court Records Online
The free Massachusetts court case portal is at masscourts.org. No account or fee is needed. You can search by full name, case number, or date range. Results show the court, case type, charges filed, and scheduled hearings. Lynn District Court and Essex County Superior Court cases both appear in the portal.
The search tool is a good first step. It shows basic case information but does not always include final dispositions in real time. Some older or sealed cases will not appear. If you need a complete record or official certified copy, contact the clerk at the court that handled the case.
Certified court copies cost $2.50 per page. Non-certified copies are $0.05 per page. For most purposes, non-certified copies are fine. For legal proceedings, you may need certified copies with the court seal.
The court system overview at mass.gov has links to each court's contact page, address, and hours. You can also find information there about how to request records by mail if you cannot visit in person.
CORI Criminal History Access in Lynn
The statewide CORI system covers all Massachusetts criminal records. CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. The Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) runs the system from its office at 200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200, Chelsea, MA 02150. Phone: (617) 660-4600.
To get your own CORI, use the iCORI portal at icori.chs.state.ma.us. Create an account, verify your identity, and request your report. The fee is $25 for a personal request. Results come back within 24 to 48 hours in most cases. Mail-in requests are also accepted if you prefer not to use the online system.
Your CORI report shows criminal convictions, open cases, and in some situations, charges that did not end in conviction. What appears depends on the type of request. Individuals who request their own record get the most complete version. M.G.L. c. 6 §167 defines what CORI contains and who can access it.
The DCJIS website at mass.gov/orgs/dcjis explains how the system works and what each access level can see. M.G.L. c. 6 §172 covers CORI access rules for different requestor types. A step-by-step request guide is at mass.gov.
Sealing Lynn Criminal Records
Massachusetts law allows some criminal records to be sealed. Sealing takes a record out of public view, though police and courts can still see it. M.G.L. c. 276 §100A sets the rules. Waiting periods depend on the type of offense. Misdemeanors have a shorter waiting period than felonies. Not every offense qualifies.
To seal a Lynn case, you file a petition at the court that handled it. That would be Lynn District Court for most cases, or Essex County Superior Court in Salem for felony matters. The clerk's office at each court has the sealing petition forms. Legal aid groups in the Lynn area can help if you need guidance on eligibility. The general CORI law page at mass.gov covers sealing in more detail.
Nearby Cities
Other Essex County and nearby Massachusetts cities with criminal history record pages.
Essex County Criminal History Records
Lynn is part of Essex County. All district and superior court criminal cases for Lynn residents are filed under Essex County jurisdiction. The county system covers both Lynn District Court and Essex County Superior Court in Salem. County-level records can be found through the court portal or requested directly from each court's clerk.