New Bedford DUI and OUI Records

New Bedford DUI and OUI records are filed at New Bedford District Court for misdemeanor charges and at Bristol Superior Court for felony cases, both of which are located in New Bedford. These records are public and can be searched online or requested in person at either court's clerk office. Bristol County logged 1,158 OUI charges in fiscal year 2022, and New Bedford accounts for a large share of that volume given its size and its position along the Route 195 corridor, one of the more active OUI enforcement zones in southeastern Massachusetts.

Courts That Handle New Bedford OUI Cases

Two courts serve New Bedford for OUI matters. New Bedford District Court is the main court for misdemeanor OUI charges, including first and second offenses. Bristol Superior Court handles felony OUI cases, including third offenses and cases involving serious injury or death. Both courts are in New Bedford, which makes in-person visits more straightforward than in counties where those courts are in different cities.

New Bedford District Court is at 75 North 6th Street, New Bedford MA 02740. Call them at 508-999-2500. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. All OUI case records filed here are public, and copies can be requested at the clerk window during open hours. The clerk's office can search by name or case number and pull documents from the file during your visit.

The New Bedford District Court page on mass.gov has current contact information, directions, and any schedule updates that may affect your visit. Check it before heading in, especially around court holidays.

Bristol Superior Court in New Bedford handles felony OUI cases. It is at 182 William Street, New Bedford MA 02740. The phone number is 508-999-4940. Bristol County is notable in that it has three Superior Court locations to serve its large geographic spread. For felony OUI defendants in New Bedford, this is the court where the case moves after indictment. Those records are also public and searchable through the MassCourts portal, though they will appear under the Superior Court docket rather than the district court docket.

New Bedford District Court: Records and Portal

The New Bedford District Court at 75 North 6th Street processes first and second offense OUI cases for the city and handles arraignments, bail hearings, and most trial-level proceedings for misdemeanor charges.

This is the court where most OUI cases in New Bedford are first filed and where the bulk of them are resolved, from arraignment through final disposition.

Searching New Bedford OUI Records

The free public court records tool is at masscourts.org. It covers New Bedford District Court and Bristol Superior Court. You can search by name or case number. Results show the charges, key hearing dates, and case outcome. The state also has a guide on how to search court dockets for people who are not familiar with the system and want to understand what the results mean.

Online access covers most active and recent cases. Older records may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office. At New Bedford District Court, staff can look up cases by name or docket number and pull documents from the file. Plain copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies, which carry an official court seal, are $2.50 per page. Certified copies are required for legal filings and formal document requests, including those tied to RMV license reinstatement applications.

The Massachusetts Trial Court provides online access to OUI case records at all Bristol County courts through its statewide portal, available at any time without an account.

MassCourts is updated regularly and gives access to both New Bedford District Court and Bristol Superior Court case dockets at no charge.

New Bedford Police OUI Arrest Records

The New Bedford Police Department makes most OUI arrests within city limits. Their records include arrest reports, booking information, and field test data. These are separate from the court case file. To get a police report, contact New Bedford Police directly. The department is at 871 Rockdale Avenue, New Bedford MA 02740. The main line is 508-991-6300.

Massachusetts State Police also operate on Route 195, which runs through New Bedford and is a primary OUI enforcement corridor. State Police arrest reports are handled through the relevant State Police barracks, not city police. If an OUI arrest was made by State Police, you need to contact them separately for that report. The court case for a State Police arrest will still appear in the New Bedford District Court docket, since the charge is filed by court location rather than arresting agency.

Bristol County logged 1,158 OUI charges in fiscal year 2022. Bristol County also sees a high rate of OUI-Drugs cases, meaning a significant share of those charges involve drugs rather than alcohol. Both types fall under MGL c.90 § 24, which covers impairment from any substance, not just alcohol.

OUI Law and Penalties in Massachusetts

Massachusetts calls impaired driving OUI, which stands for Operating Under the Influence. The main law is MGL c.90 § 24. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for those under 21. The law also covers impairment by drugs or any controlled substance, not just alcohol.

A first-offense OUI in New Bedford can result in a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to 2.5 years in jail, and a one-year license suspension. Many first offenders take a 24D disposition under MGL c.90 § 24D, which involves probation, a mandatory driver alcohol education program, and a shorter license suspension of 45 to 90 days. A second offense brings a two-year license suspension. A third offense results in an eight-year suspension and a felony charge. For more on state law, see the mass.gov page on Massachusetts drunk driving law.

RMV Driving Records and License Reinstatement

An OUI conviction or arrest in New Bedford shows up on the defendant's RMV driving record. You can request a copy of a driving record from the Massachusetts RMV. An unattested record costs $8. An attested record with an official seal costs $20 and is used for legal or formal purposes. Both can be ordered online, by mail, or at an RMV service center.

After an OUI suspension runs its course, the driver applies for reinstatement through the RMV. The process is outlined on the RMV license reinstatement page. Reinstatement typically requires a fee, proof of insurance, and in some cases completion of a program or installation of an ignition interlock device. The RMV keeps its own record of license actions tied to the OUI, and that record remains separate from the court case file even if the court record is later sealed.

Sealing OUI Records in New Bedford

Massachusetts law allows certain OUI records to be sealed. If you received a 24D disposition and completed the required program, that record can be sealed right away. A misdemeanor OUI conviction can be sealed after a five-year wait from the time the case fully closes. A felony OUI conviction requires ten years. The petition is filed at the court where the case was heard, which for most New Bedford OUI cases is New Bedford District Court.

Sealing takes a record out of most public background checks. Courts and law enforcement can still view it. The RMV keeps its own record of license actions tied to the OUI, and sealing the court record does not affect what the RMV shows. For a full criminal history through CORI, contact the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. The standard CORI fee is $25. Your own CORI is available for free if you request it yourself.

Bristol County DUI Records

New Bedford is in Bristol County. All OUI cases filed in New Bedford are part of the Bristol County court system.

View Bristol County DUI Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby qualifying cities have their own DUI and OUI record pages with local court information.