Taunton DUI and OUI Records
Taunton DUI records are filed at Taunton District Court for misdemeanor OUI charges and at Bristol Superior Court in Taunton for felony cases. As the Bristol County seat, Taunton holds court records for a wide area, and the public can search or request copies through the state court system or in person at the clerk's office.
Taunton Overview
Courts That Handle Taunton OUI Cases
Two courts share the workload for OUI cases in Taunton. Taunton District Court handles misdemeanor OUI charges, which make up the majority of cases. Bristol Superior Court in Taunton takes over when charges rise to the felony level, such as a third offense or a case where someone was seriously hurt. Both courts are in Taunton, which makes in-person visits straightforward.
The Taunton District Court sits at 120 Cohannet Street. It is the starting point for most Taunton OUI cases. Arraignments, bail hearings, pretrial motions, and most final dispositions all take place here. The clerk's office holds the case files. You can request paper copies of any document on record. Files go back many years and cover charge details, court dates, and case outcomes.
| Court | Taunton District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 Cohannet St Taunton, MA 02780 |
| Phone | 508-821-7900 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
The Taunton District Court processes the bulk of OUI filings for the city and handles much of the Bristol County caseload as well.
First-time OUI defendants charged in Taunton will appear at this court for arraignment and follow-up hearings.
Felony OUI charges go to Bristol Superior Court at 138 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780. The main number is 508-823-6583. Felony OUI arises from a third or subsequent offense, or from a charge of OUI causing serious bodily injury or death. Superior Court records are also public. You can search them through the MassCourts portal or by contacting the Superior Court clerk directly.
How to Find Taunton DUI Records
The free online tool for Taunton OUI records is MassCourts. It covers both District and Superior Court cases statewide, including all Bristol County courts. Search by name, case number, or docket number. Results show party names, charges, hearing dates, and final case status. Sealed records will not appear in public searches. The system is available at any time with no login needed.
If you want paper copies or need to see the full file, visit the clerk's office at Taunton District Court during business hours. Bring the name of the person you are researching and, if possible, a case number or approximate filing year. Clerks can locate the file and make copies. Plain copies run $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. Certified documents carry the court seal and are accepted by other courts, agencies, and legal proceedings that need proof of a record.
Taunton is the Bristol County seat, which means the Superior Court in Taunton handles felony OUI appeals and serious charges from across all of Bristol County. That gives the Taunton courts a wider docket than many other cities of similar size. Bristol County logged 1,158 OUI charges in fiscal year 2022. Records from all those cases are held here and can be accessed through the same clerk's office or online portal.
The MassCourts portal is the fastest starting point. It returns results in seconds and costs nothing.
The Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal covers all counties, including Bristol, and lets you search Taunton OUI records at no cost.
Taunton Police OUI Arrest Records
The Taunton Police Department makes most OUI arrests within city limits. Their records are separate from court files. A police OUI report includes the arrest narrative, booking details, field sobriety test results, and any chemical test results. You need to contact the Taunton Police Department directly to get a copy of an arrest report.
Taunton Police is at 23 Leonard Street, Taunton, MA 02780. The main number is 508-823-5000. Ask to speak with the Records Division or the Keeper of Records when you call. Requests can be made in person or in writing. Some information in reports may be redacted, especially if a case is still open or involves protected third parties. Massachusetts law governs what can and cannot be released from a police file.
Route 44 and Route 140 run through Taunton, and Massachusetts State Police patrol these corridors. Any OUI arrest made by State Police goes through the State Police barracks rather than Taunton Police. If you are searching for a record that came from a highway stop, it may be held at a State Police barracks rather than city hall.
Note: Police arrest reports and court case records are maintained separately. You may need to contact both agencies to get a complete picture of an OUI case.
Massachusetts OUI Law and What It Means in Taunton
Massachusetts uses the term OUI rather than DUI. The charge covers driving under the influence of alcohol or any drug. The governing statute is MGL c.90 § 24. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over. Drivers under 21 face a limit of 0.02%.
A first OUI in Taunton can result in a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to 2.5 years in jail, and a one-year license suspension. First-time defendants are often offered a 24D disposition under MGL c.90 § 24D. That path involves probation, a driver alcohol education program, and a reduced loss of license. It is heard at Taunton District Court. A second offense brings a two-year license suspension, and a third bumps up to eight years.
The Massachusetts law about drunk driving page on mass.gov is a solid reference for anyone who wants the full breakdown of penalties and rules. It covers all offense levels and includes links to related statutes.
Driving Records and RMV Actions in Taunton
An OUI charge in Taunton triggers a separate process at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. The RMV can suspend your license even before the court case is resolved. This happens if you refuse a breathalyzer under the state's implied consent law, or if an OUI conviction is entered. The RMV acts on its own timeline and does not wait for the court case to finish.
To see what is on your driving record, request a copy from the Massachusetts RMV. An unattested record costs $8. An attested record with an official seal costs $20 and is used in legal proceedings. After a suspension ends, you must apply to reinstate your license through the RMV. The process and requirements are on the license reinstatement page at mass.gov.
CORI Checks and OUI Record Sealing
CORI stands for Criminal Offender Record Information. It is the state's official criminal background system. OUI charges and convictions in Taunton appear on a CORI report. You can request your own CORI from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services for a $25 fee.
Some Taunton OUI records can be sealed over time. A 24D disposition can be sealed right after you complete the required program. A misdemeanor OUI conviction requires a five-year wait after the case ends. A felony OUI conviction means a ten-year wait before you can petition to seal. Sealed records do not appear in most standard background checks. Courts and law enforcement can still see them. The petition to seal is filed at the court where the case was heard, which for most Taunton OUI cases means Taunton District Court.
Note: Sealing a court record does not remove the OUI from your RMV driving record. The RMV keeps its own history of license actions tied to an OUI case.
Bristol County DUI Records
Taunton is the Bristol County seat. OUI cases filed in Taunton are part of the Bristol County court system, which also includes Fall River and New Bedford. The county page has more detail on courts, fees, and resources across the full county.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Taunton also have DUI record pages with local court details.