Dukes County DUI and OUI Records

Dukes County DUI and OUI records are filed at Edgartown District Court on Martha's Vineyard, a courthouse accessible only by ferry or air from the Massachusetts mainland. This guide explains how to find case files, request copies, and understand what makes Dukes County record access different from every other county in the state.

Courts Handling Dukes County DUI Records

Dukes County is Martha's Vineyard. All three court levels, district, superior, and probate, operate out of the same building at 81 Main Street in Edgartown. That is the only courthouse on the island. First and second offense OUI charges are handled by Edgartown District Court. Felony OUI cases, including third offense and above, go to Dukes Superior Court, which shares the same address. The physical proximity of the courts makes in-person record requests straightforward once you are on the island, but getting there requires planning.

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Staffing is smaller than mainland county courts. This is a low-volume courthouse by Massachusetts standards, handling records for a permanent population of around 20,000 people. Response times for records requests, both in person and by mail, may be slower than at larger courthouses, particularly during the busy summer months when the island's population swells and court activity increases.

The Edgartown District Court is the primary venue for Dukes County OUI cases. Cases from all towns on Martha's Vineyard, including Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, Chilmark, and Aquinnah, are handled here under MGL c.90 § 24.

Dukes Probate Court also operates from the same building (phone: 508-627-4705) and handles estate and family court matters, which may intersect with OUI cases in certain legal proceedings.

Edgartown District Court at 81 Main Street is the only courthouse on Martha's Vineyard. All OUI cases from Dukes County are handled here, from first offense through felony charges.

Accessing Dukes County OUI Records From the Mainland

Getting to the Edgartown courthouse from the mainland requires a ferry or flight. This is a practical reality that shapes how most people approach Dukes County record requests. There is no bridge to Martha's Vineyard. Ferry service runs from Woods Hole on Cape Cod to Vineyard Haven and from Falmouth to Edgartown on a seasonal and year-round basis. Flight options exist but are limited. If you are planning an in-person visit to the courthouse, factor in travel time on both ends, ferry schedules, and the courthouse's limited hours.

Mail requests are the most practical option for anyone who cannot make the trip to the island. Write to the clerk at Edgartown District Court, include the case number and names of the parties, specify the documents you need, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment, and mail to 81 Main St, Edgartown, MA 02539. Allow more time than you would for a mainland courthouse request. The clerk's office is smaller and may take longer to respond, especially during the summer peak season.

The online option is worth checking first. The MassCourts docket system includes Dukes County cases, though coverage of older records may be limited. You can search by name or case number from anywhere with internet access. If the case you are looking for appears in MassCourts, you can confirm the details before deciding whether a mail or in-person request is necessary. The state's guide on searching court dockets walks through the steps.

OUI Enforcement in Dukes County

Dukes County recorded 86 OUI charges in fiscal year 2022. For a county with a year-round population of about 20,000, that is a notable number. The explanation lies in the island's dramatic seasonal variation. Martha's Vineyard's summer population is many times larger than its year-round base, with hundreds of thousands of visitors arriving between June and September. Law enforcement staffs up accordingly, and OUI enforcement intensifies during the summer months when traffic, bar activity, and ferry arrivals all spike.

The roads on Martha's Vineyard are mostly two-lane local roads. There are no highways in the traditional sense. State Road, Beach Road, and the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road are the main travel corridors. Police from Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven), West Tisbury, and the Dukes County Sheriff's office all make OUI arrests. All of those cases run through Edgartown District Court. During the summer, the court's docket grows substantially compared to the off-season.

Under MGL c.90 § 24, a first-offense OUI carries a fine of $500 to $5,000, up to 2.5 years in jail, and a one-year license suspension. Many first-time defendants use the MGL c.90 § 24D first-offender program. That program results in a probationary outcome, a 45- to 90-day suspension, and an alcohol education class. Completing 24D allows the case to be sealed from CORI right away. Second OUI brings a two-year suspension. Third offense is a felony handled by Dukes Superior Court, with an eight-year suspension.

One practical consequence of an OUI arrest on Martha's Vineyard is that a license suspension affects a resident's ability to function on an island with no public transit to speak of. Getting to work, to the ferry, or to court dates without a license on the Vineyard is genuinely difficult. This reality makes OUI outcomes particularly significant for island residents compared to mainland defendants who may have more transportation alternatives.

Copy Fees and Record Requests

Copy fees at Edgartown District Court follow the state standard. Non-certified copies are $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. A certificate of court orders costs $20. Certified copies are needed for most legal and administrative purposes, including license reinstatement and immigration proceedings.

For in-person requests, bring a photo ID and the case number or defendant's name to the clerk's office at 81 Main St in Edgartown. The clerk will locate the file and prepare copies. Given the courthouse's smaller size, it is worth calling ahead (508-627-3751) to confirm that someone will be available to handle your request and that the courthouse is not observing a closure that day. Court schedules on the island can differ from mainland courthouses.

For mail requests, write to the clerk at Edgartown District Court with the case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include a check or money order for the copy fees. If you are unsure of the exact amount, include a note authorizing the clerk to contact you for any additional payment. Allow extra time for the response given the island's logistics and the courthouse's limited staffing.

Driving Records and CORI for Dukes County OUI

After a Dukes County OUI conviction, two separate records are updated. The court file stays at Edgartown District Court. The driving record is updated by the Registry of Motor Vehicles on the mainland. These are separate systems, and you must request them separately.

Driving record requests go to the RMV. You can request online or by mail without traveling to the island. An unattested record costs $8; an attested copy is $20. The RMV record shows the suspension, its start date, and any reinstatement dates. It does not include court case details. If you need to reinstate your license after a Dukes County OUI suspension, the process is at mass.gov.

CORI is managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services and shows statewide court activity including Dukes County OUI charges. A CORI check costs $25. Request through DCJIS. Cases resolved under 24D can be sealed from CORI right after completion. Standard misdemeanor OUI convictions become eligible for sealing after five years; felony OUI after ten years. The court file at Edgartown remains intact regardless of CORI sealing status.

The Massachusetts Trial Court case access system is the best way to look up Dukes County OUI records online before deciding whether to make the trip to Edgartown or submit a mail request.

Cities in Dukes County

Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard) has no cities above the population threshold that qualify for individual DUI records pages. Vineyard Haven and Edgartown are the primary communities, but neither meets the threshold. OUI records for all Dukes County towns are handled through Edgartown District Court.

Nearby Counties

These Massachusetts counties are accessible from Dukes County by ferry. If an OUI case was filed on the mainland or in another island county, find records information using the links below.