Search Hampden County DUI and OUI Records

Hampden County DUI records are filed at six district courts and one superior court in the Springfield area of western Massachusetts. This guide covers how to find OUI case records, request copies, and understand the court system that handles drunk driving cases across the county.

Courts Handling Hampden County DUI Records

Hampden County is the population and legal center of western Massachusetts. All OUI cases in the county start at the district court level. Springfield District Court handles the highest volume of any court in the county. It sits at 50 State St in Springfield, the same address as Hampden Superior Court. The two courts share a building but are separate operations with separate clerks and case files.

Hampden Superior Court handles felony OUI charges from across the county. Under MGL c.90 § 24, a third-offense OUI is a felony. Those cases get moved from district court up to superior court after arraignment. Hampden Superior Court also handles OUI cases where serious bodily injury or death is alleged, which can bring additional charges under related statutes.

The county's other district courts each serve a defined area. Chicopee District Court handles cases from Chicopee. Holyoke District Court covers Holyoke and nearby communities. Palmer District Court serves the more rural eastern part of the county. Westfield and Wilbraham district courts cover the western and central-eastern portions, respectively. If you are not sure which court handled a specific case, the MassCourts portal lets you search by name across all courts in the state.

The Springfield District Court at 50 State St is the primary hub for OUI cases in Hampden County, handling the most filings of any district court in the region.

Springfield District Court and Hampden Superior Court share the same address, but they are separate courts with different clerks and case files.

How to Search Hampden County OUI Records Online

The Massachusetts Trial Court's public docket site at masscourts.org is the best starting point for OUI record searches in Hampden County. You can search by defendant name, case number, or specific court. The system shows charges, court dates, case status, and dispositions for most open and closed cases. It covers all six district courts and Hampden Superior Court in one place, which saves time if you are not sure which court holds the record you need.

The state provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to search court dockets. That guide explains what the portal shows, what it doesn't show, and how to interpret the results. It also explains how to request additional case materials from the clerk once you have located the case.

Some records will not appear in the online portal. Sealed cases, juvenile cases, and certain protected records are not publicly visible. If you know a case exists but the search returns nothing, the record may have been sealed. Sealing requests in Hampden County go to the court where the case was heard.

The Chicopee District Court at 30 Church St handles OUI cases from Chicopee and surrounding areas, making it the second-highest volume court in the county after Springfield.

Chicopee District Court is a key filing location for OUI cases in the northern part of Hampden County.

Getting Copies of OUI Court Records

To get copies of DUI records from a Hampden County court, go to the clerk's office at the court where the case was filed. All courts are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. You will need the case number or the full name of the defendant and the approximate year of the case. Walk-in requests are accepted at all courts. You can also mail a request with the case details and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Non-certified copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page, plus a $20 certification fee. Certified copies are needed for most legal purposes, such as submitting records to another court, a licensing board, or a government agency. For most background check purposes, a non-certified copy is fine. The Springfield clerk's office handles the highest volume of requests in the county, so expect some wait time during busy periods.

Driving Records, CORI, and OUI Penalties

An OUI conviction in Hampden County creates two separate records. The court record stays at the courthouse. The driving record is held by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Both are relevant depending on what you need. Court records show the criminal case details. The RMV record shows license suspensions and reinstatement status.

You can request a copy of your driving record through the Massachusetts RMV. An unattested record costs $8. An attested copy is $20. The record will show any OUI-related license actions, including suspension dates and duration. Under MGL c.90 § 24, a first OUI conviction in Hampden County or anywhere in Massachusetts results in a one-year license suspension. Second offense brings a two-year suspension. Third offense is a felony and carries an eight-year suspension.

After a suspension period ends, reinstatement is not automatic. You must apply through the RMV and pay reinstatement fees. Some OUI offenders are also required to have an ignition interlock device installed before reinstatement. The RMV reinstatement page explains the full process.

For criminal background checks, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services provides CORI reports for $25. CORI records include OUI convictions. A first-offense OUI handled through the 24D program under MGL c.90 § 24D can be sealed immediately once the program is completed. Standard misdemeanor OUI convictions are eligible for sealing after five years. Felony OUI convictions require a ten-year wait before sealing is available.

OUI Enforcement in Hampden County

Hampden County recorded 898 OUI charges in fiscal year 2022. That's a significant number for a western Massachusetts county. The major enforcement corridors in the county are I-91, I-291, and the Mass Pike (I-90). These highways run through or near Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, the three largest population centers in the county. State Police troopers assigned to these stretches make a consistent share of the county's OUI arrests.

Springfield and Chicopee see the highest OUI volumes among the city-based courts. Holyoke District Court also handles a solid share. The more rural courts at Palmer, Westfield, and Wilbraham see lower volumes, but OUI remains the most common serious motor vehicle charge at all six courts.

You can read a full overview of Massachusetts drunk driving law on the state's website. That page covers the legal definition of OUI, the per se BAC limit of 0.08%, penalties by offense level, and the license suspension rules that flow from an OUI charge or conviction in courts like Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke.

Holyoke District Court at 20 Sandpiper Lane also contributes a notable share of Hampden County's OUI caseload.

Holyoke District Court handles OUI cases from Holyoke and surrounding communities in the central part of Hampden County.

Cities in Hampden County

Two cities in Hampden County have dedicated DUI records pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Hampden County borders two other Massachusetts counties. Each operates its own court system for OUI and DUI cases.