Hampshire County DUI and OUI Records

Hampshire County DUI and OUI records are filed across three district courts and one superior court, all in western Massachusetts. This guide explains how to find court case files, request copies, and understand the record systems that track OUI charges in Hampshire County.

Courts Handling Hampshire County DUI Records

Hampshire County OUI cases run through a two-tier court system. District courts handle first and second offense OUI charges. Felony OUI cases, which include third-offense and above, go to Hampshire Superior Court. Both the superior court and Northampton District Court are located at the same address on Gothic Street in Northampton. That shared location is the main courthouse for the county.

The county has three district courts in total. Northampton District Court handles the largest share of OUI filings in the county. Belchertown District Court serves the eastern part of Hampshire County, including the Amherst area. Orange District Court, located just over the line in Orange, serves the northern part of the county and shares jurisdiction with Franklin County. Each court maintains its own case files, and records from all three are searchable through the state's online docket system.

The Hampshire Superior Court handles felony OUI charges under MGL c.90 § 24. Third offense OUI is prosecuted here. Case files at the superior court level are more detailed and include grand jury materials where applicable.

The Northampton District Court is the primary venue for Hampshire County OUI cases. It handles the majority of first and second offense charges filed in the county each year.

Northampton District Court shares the 15 Gothic Street address with the superior court, making it possible to handle records requests at both levels in a single visit to the courthouse.

How to Search Hampshire County OUI Records

The best free tool for searching Hampshire County DUI records is MassCourts. This is the state's official public docket system. You can search by name, case number, or ticket number. Results cover both district and superior court cases in Hampshire County. You can narrow by court location or case type to focus on OUI matters. The state also provides a guide on how to search court dockets that explains each search field and how to read the results.

In-person access works well for complete case files. Go to the clerk's office at the courthouse that handled the case. Clerks can locate a case by name or case number and make copies for you. Courts are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Bring a photo ID. The physical file sometimes contains documents that do not appear in the online docket, particularly older exhibits or police reports attached to the court record.

Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the clerk at the specific courthouse with the case number, the names of the parties, and the specific documents you need. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for copy fees. Mail requests take more time than in-person visits but work fine when you have the exact case details.

OUI Enforcement in Hampshire County

Hampshire County recorded 430 OUI charges in fiscal year 2022. That is a significant number for a county of 160,000 residents. Much of the enforcement activity is concentrated along I-91, which runs north to south through the heart of the county, connecting Northampton to Springfield in the south and Greenfield to the north. State Police patrol I-91 regularly, and the highway is one of the most active OUI enforcement corridors in western Massachusetts.

College towns Northampton and Amherst both see active enforcement, especially on weekends. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the largest public university in New England, and the student population contributes to weekend patrol activity in the surrounding area. Local police in Northampton and Amherst, along with University Police at UMass, all make OUI arrests that feed into the district court system. Belchertown District Court handles cases from the Amherst area as part of its service territory.

Under MGL c.90 § 24, a first OUI in Massachusetts 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 program, which offers a probationary outcome and a 45- to 90-day suspension in exchange for an alcohol education program. Completing 24D allows immediate sealing of that case from CORI. Second offense OUI brings a two-year suspension and potential jail time. Third offense is a felony with an eight-year suspension and is handled by Hampshire Superior Court.

Route 9, which runs east to west across the county through Northampton and into the Amherst area, is another corridor where police make regular OUI stops. Route 9 connects to the Springfield metro area to the west and crosses into Worcester County to the east, making it a common long-distance travel route with associated enforcement activity.

Northwestern District Attorney Office

The Northwestern District Attorney's office prosecutes all OUI cases in Hampshire County. This office also covers Franklin County, making it one of the few DA offices in Massachusetts that spans two counties. The main office is in Northampton.

If you need records from the DA's office, such as prosecution records or case-related documents, you can submit a public records request using the form on the Northwestern DA's public records page. The DA's office must respond within 10 business days under Massachusetts public records law. Fees may apply for requests that require extensive staff time or large volumes of copies.

Note that DA records and court records are separate. The DA holds prosecution files. The court clerk holds the official case record. You may need to request from both offices depending on what you need.

The Northwestern DA public records request form lets you submit requests online, which is faster than mailing a written request. Use this form when seeking prosecution-side documents related to a Hampshire County OUI case.

Copy Fees and How to Get Records

State law sets copy fees at every Hampshire County courthouse. Non-certified copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. A certificate of court orders costs $20. Most legal and administrative uses, including license reinstatement and immigration filings, require certified copies. If you just need to review a case file, non-certified copies cost very little.

When you request in person, bring the case number or the full name of the defendant and the approximate date of the charge. The clerk will pull the file and tell you the copy cost before making the copies. Payment methods vary by courthouse, so it is worth calling ahead to confirm whether they accept cash, check, or card. Checks and money orders are always safe options.

For a mail request, send a letter to the clerk at the appropriate courthouse. Include the case details, a list of specific documents you want, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your payment. If you are unsure of the exact fee, include a check for a reasonable amount and note that you authorize the clerk to contact you for any balance.

Driving Records and CORI for Hampshire County OUI

Two separate systems track OUI outcomes. The court file is held by the clerk. The driving record is held by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. These are different records and you must request them separately.

You can get a driving record from the RMV. An unattested record costs $8. An attested (certified) record costs $20. The driving record shows license suspensions and reinstatements tied to OUI activity, but it does not contain the court case details. If you need to reinstate your license after an OUI suspension, the steps are on the RMV reinstatement page.

CORI is a statewide criminal record system managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. A CORI check costs $25 and shows court activity including Hampshire County OUI charges. You can request CORI through DCJIS. Cases resolved under the 24D program can be sealed from CORI right away. Standard misdemeanor OUI convictions become eligible for sealing after five years; felony OUI after ten years. Sealed records do not appear in CORI but remain in the physical court file.

The state's overview of Massachusetts drunk driving law covers penalties, suspensions, and the court process in plain language. It is a useful starting point for anyone dealing with a Hampshire County OUI matter.

Cities in Hampshire County

Hampshire County has no cities above the population threshold that qualify for individual DUI records pages. Northampton and Amherst are the largest communities in the county, but neither meets the threshold for a dedicated city page. OUI records for all Hampshire County communities are handled through the courts listed above.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hampshire County. If an OUI case was filed in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right court and records details.