Find Nantucket County DUI and OUI Records

Nantucket County DUI and OUI records are filed at a single courthouse on Broad Street in Nantucket, accessible only by ferry or air from the Massachusetts mainland. This page explains how to search case files, request copies, and understand the unique logistical considerations that come with accessing records on an island county.

Courts Handling Nantucket County DUI Records

Nantucket County has a single courthouse at 16 Broad Street in Nantucket. All three court levels, district, superior, and probate, operate from this one building. Nantucket District Court handles first and second offense OUI charges. Nantucket Superior Court handles felony OUI cases, meaning third offense and above. Both share the same address, which means any in-person records request for any level of OUI case in the county goes to the same location.

This is the smallest county courthouse in Massachusetts by most measures. The year-round population of Nantucket is around 14,000 people, making this the least populated county in the state. The courthouse is staffed accordingly. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, the same as all Massachusetts district and superior courts, but the staff count is much smaller than at mainland county courthouses. That has real implications for how quickly records requests are processed, particularly during the summer when the island's population and court activity both spike.

The Nantucket District Court handles all first and second offense OUI cases in the county under MGL c.90 § 24. Felony OUI cases, including third offense and higher, go to Nantucket Superior Court at the same address.

Nantucket Probate Court (508-228-2689) also operates from 16 Broad Street. It handles estate and family matters, which occasionally intersect with OUI cases in certain legal contexts.

Nantucket District Court at 16 Broad Street is the only courthouse on the island. All Nantucket County OUI records, from first offense through felony, are held here.

Accessing Nantucket County OUI Records From the Mainland

Reaching the Nantucket courthouse from the mainland requires a ferry or flight. There is no bridge or causeway. Ferry service runs from Hyannis on Cape Cod to Nantucket year-round, though winter schedules are reduced and high-speed ferry service is seasonal. Air service from Cape Cod and Boston airports is available but limited. If you plan to visit the courthouse in person, factor in round-trip ferry time, potential weather delays, and the courthouse's afternoon closing at 4:30 PM. A same-day visit from the mainland is possible but requires early departure.

Mail is the most practical option for most people requesting Nantucket County OUI records. Write to the clerk at Nantucket District Court, 16 Broad St, Nantucket, MA 02554. Include the case number, names of the parties, a list of the documents you need, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the copy fees. Allow more time than you would for a mainland courthouse. The small staff and island logistics mean turnaround may take longer than the standard mainland request. A follow-up call (508-228-0430) is reasonable if you have not heard back after two weeks.

Start your search online. The state's MassCourts system includes Nantucket County cases and is searchable from anywhere. You can look up a case by name or case number without leaving home. That step lets you confirm the case details and decide whether you need certified copies before committing to a mail request or ferry trip. The state's guide on searching court dockets explains how to use the system step by step.

OUI Enforcement and Charges in Nantucket County

Nantucket County recorded 64 OUI charges in fiscal year 2022, the lowest count of any county in Massachusetts. A year-round population of 14,000 people simply generates fewer cases in absolute terms than any mainland county. But the 64-charge figure does not capture the full picture. Nantucket's summer population swells dramatically, with visitor counts reaching into the hundreds of thousands between June and Labor Day. OUI enforcement ramps up in step with that population increase. The summer months account for a disproportionate share of the county's annual OUI total.

The roads on Nantucket are mostly narrow two-lane streets and dirt paths. There are no highways. Nantucket Town, Madaket, 'Sconset, and the beaches are connected by roads that the Nantucket Police Department and Sheriff's office patrol. All OUI arrests on the island go through Nantucket District Court. During the tourist season, the court's docket grows substantially, and the small staff handles a higher volume of cases than at any other time of year.

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 defendants in Nantucket District Court resolve their first-offense OUI under MGL c.90 § 24D, the first-offender program. That program leads to a probationary outcome, a 45- to 90-day suspension, and a required alcohol education class. Completing 24D allows the case to be sealed from CORI right away. A second OUI brings a two-year suspension. Third offense is a felony, prosecuted at Nantucket Superior Court, with an eight-year suspension and possible prison time.

For Nantucket residents, a license suspension carries practical consequences that differ from the mainland. The island has limited public transit and no ride-share availability at scale. Getting around without a car is harder here than in a city like Boston or Worcester. This context makes the license suspension aspect of an OUI conviction particularly impactful for year-round island residents.

Copy Fees and Requesting Nantucket OUI Records

Copy fees at Nantucket District Court follow the state standard. Non-certified copies cost $0.05 per page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. A certificate of court orders costs $20. Certified copies are required for most legal purposes, including license reinstatement, immigration filings, and court proceedings in other jurisdictions that require official documentation of a case outcome.

For in-person requests, bring a photo ID and your case number to the clerk's office at 16 Broad St. The clerk will locate the file and prepare copies. Because Nantucket District Court is a small courthouse, it is worth calling ahead at 508-228-0430 to confirm availability and to ask about current payment methods. The island's isolation means that some standard mainland courthouse services may work differently here. Checks and money orders are always safe payment options.

For mail requests, send a letter to the clerk at Nantucket District Court, 16 Broad St, Nantucket, MA 02554. Include the case number, names of the parties, specific documents requested, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your payment. Plan for longer-than-average turnaround times given the courthouse's small size and the added complexity of island mail delivery. If you do not receive a response within a reasonable period, a follow-up call is appropriate.

Driving Records and CORI After a Nantucket OUI

Two separate record systems document OUI outcomes in Massachusetts. The court file is held by the clerk at Nantucket District Court. The driving record is held by the Registry of Motor Vehicles on the mainland. You must request each separately because they are managed by different agencies and contain different information.

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

CORI is the statewide criminal record system managed by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. A CORI check costs $25 and shows all Massachusetts court activity under a person's name, including Nantucket County OUI charges. Request through DCJIS. Cases resolved under the 24D program can be sealed from CORI right away upon completion. Standard misdemeanor OUI convictions become eligible for sealing after five years. Felony OUI convictions become eligible after ten years. Sealing removes the entry from CORI results, but the physical court file at Nantucket District Court remains intact and is still accessible through the clerk.

The Massachusetts Trial Court case access portal is the best way to look up Nantucket County OUI records online. Check the portal first before deciding whether to submit a mail request or arrange travel to the island courthouse.

For a full overview of Massachusetts OUI law, including penalties by offense level, suspension timelines, and the court process, the state publishes a plain-language resource at mass.gov.

Cities in Nantucket County

Nantucket County has no cities above the population threshold that qualify for individual DUI records pages. The town of Nantucket is the only municipality in the county, and its population does not meet the threshold. All OUI records for Nantucket County are handled through Nantucket District Court at 16 Broad Street.

Nearby Counties

Nantucket County is accessible by ferry or air from these neighboring counties. If an OUI case was filed on the mainland or on Martha's Vineyard, use the links below to find the right records information.