Search Traffic Ticket Records in Fall River
Fall River traffic ticket records are processed through the Fall River District Court in Bristol County. Citations issued by the Fall River Police Department or the Massachusetts State Police on roads in and around the city enter the state civil court system as civil motor vehicle infractions. This page covers the courts, your response options, fines and surcharges, and how to find records for a Fall River traffic case.
Fall River Overview
Fall River District Court
The Fall River District Court is on the fifth floor of 186 South Main Street in downtown Fall River. This court handles all civil motor vehicle infractions for Fall River and four other communities in southern Bristol County. The clerk's office takes calls and in-person visits Monday through Friday. There is a separate fax number for civil matters and another for criminal.
| Court | Fall River District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 186 South Main Street, 5th Floor Fall River, MA 02720 |
| Phone | (508) 491-3200 |
| Fax (Civil) | (508) 491-3492 |
| Fax (Criminal) | (508) 646-3596 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Serves | Fall River, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, Westport |
The Bristol County Superior Court also has a location in the same building at 186 South Main Street. The Superior Court handles more serious matters but is in the same facility, which can be convenient if you have business at both courts in one trip.
The Fall River District Court page on mass.gov has current contact details and hours. The Bristol County Superior Court page covers the Superior Court at the same address.
The court's official listing includes links to court calendars and clerk services.
The Fall River District Court at 186 South Main Street processes traffic citations for Fall River and four surrounding communities.
Responding to a Fall River Traffic Ticket
You get 20 days from the date your ticket was issued to decide what to do. That window does not extend automatically. If you let it pass without a response, the Registry of Motor Vehicles records the violation as admitted. Your driving record is updated, and if the violation is surchargeable, expect your insurance rate to go up.
There are three paths. Pay the fine and admit the violation. Request a clerk-magistrate hearing at Fall River District Court for $25. Or request a hearing before a judge. The clerk-magistrate hearing is the standard first step if you want to fight the ticket. It is informal and you do not need a lawyer. You tell your side, the clerk decides. If the clerk rules against you, appeal to a judge for $50 more. The judge's ruling on the civil matter is final.
Bring documentation to any hearing. Photos, GPS data, a dash cam clip, witness contact info -- anything that supports your case. If the officer who wrote the ticket does not appear at the hearing, the case is typically dismissed. Full details on what to expect at a hearing are at mass.gov. The appeal process is explained at mass.gov's appeal guide.
Traffic Fines in Fall River
Massachusetts sets traffic fines statewide. All Fall River citations follow the same schedule. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is $50. At 11 mph over and above, the fine is $50 plus $10 for each extra mph. Every speeding ticket also includes a $50 Head Injury Assessment surcharge. That surcharge is automatic and does not go away even if you request a hearing and win a partial reduction.
Under the Massachusetts Hands-Free Law (in effect since February 23, 2020), holding or using a phone while driving is a violation. First offense: $100. Second: $250. Third or later: $500. These are surchargeable. Even a first offense can push your insurance rate up. See the full list of violations that affect your premiums at mass.gov's surchargeable incidents page.
Three speeding violations in 12 months triggers a 30-day suspension under MGL c. 90, section 20. Habitual traffic offenders face a four-year suspension under MGL c. 90, section 22F. The RMV tracks all of this. Details on suspension rules are at mass.gov.
Fall River Police Department
The Fall River Police Department handles most traffic enforcement in the city. State Police patrol Interstate 195 and Route 24 in the area and issue their own citations on those routes. All tickets, regardless of which agency wrote them, go through Fall River District Court.
| Department | Fall River Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 685 Pleasant Street Fall River, MA 02723 |
| Non-Emergency | (508) 676-8511 |
Call the Fall River PD records unit for crash reports or to confirm which agency issued your citation. All court matters, including scheduling hearings and paying fines, go through Fall River District Court at (508) 491-3200.
Paying a Fall River Traffic Ticket
Fall River residents can pay traffic tickets online, in person, or by mail. Online is the fastest option. The state's payment portal accepts your citation number and a credit or debit card. Step-by-step instructions are at mass.gov's ticket payment page. Make sure you have your citation number from the ticket itself.
To pay in person, go to Fall River District Court at 186 South Main Street, 5th Floor, before 4:30 PM. To pay by mail, send a check or money order to that address. Do not mail cash. Write your citation number on the check so the clerk can match it to your case. Keep a copy of what you send and note the date you mailed it.
The general overview of traffic ticket options in Massachusetts is at mass.gov's traffic tickets page. Read through it before deciding whether to pay or contest.
Finding Fall River Traffic Records Online
Court records for cases filed at Fall River District Court are searchable through the state's public portal at masscourts.org. Enter a name or case number to see docket entries, case status, and party information. Most civil traffic cases are public record. If you need certified copies or full case documents, you must request them in person or by mail from the clerk's office.
Your RMV driving record is a separate document maintained by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. It shows all violations tied to your license, including tickets that were paid, dismissed, or still open. To get your driving record, follow the steps at mass.gov's driving record page. Reviewing your record before a hearing at Fall River District Court can help you prepare and understand the stakes involved.
Bristol County Traffic Ticket Records
Fall River shares Bristol County with New Bedford, Taunton, and several other communities. The county has multiple district courts and a Superior Court with locations in both Fall River and Taunton. The Bristol County page covers all of the courts in the county, provides contact details for each, and explains how traffic records move through the system countywide.