Springfield Traffic Ticket Records
Springfield traffic ticket records are managed through the Springfield District Court, located in the Hampden County Hall of Justice on State Street. As the largest city in western Massachusetts, Springfield sees steady traffic enforcement activity on its major corridors, including I-91, I-291, and Route 20. This page explains how citations are handled locally, how to respond within the 20-day window, and how to search for records online or in person.
Springfield Quick Facts
Springfield District Court
The Springfield District Court is located at 50 State Street inside the Hampden County Hall of Justice in downtown Springfield. This is where traffic citations issued in Springfield, Longmeadow, and West Springfield are processed. The court phone number is (413) 748-8600, and the clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Traffic hearings are scheduled through this office after you submit your request.
The Hampden County Hall of Justice is a busy courthouse that handles both civil and criminal matters. Traffic ticket hearings are held in the clerk-magistrate's section. Parking near the courthouse is available in several paid garages in the downtown Springfield area. If you use public transit, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) buses serve downtown Springfield on multiple routes including the Blue 6, Blue 7, Green 1, Green 2, Green 5, and Green 8 lines.
You can look up Springfield traffic citations on MassCourts before making the trip to the courthouse. Search by name or citation number to check status. The online system shows docket entries and hearing dates. For records that require certified copies or are not fully visible online, visit the clerk's office or call to ask what they need.
| Court | Springfield District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Hampden County Hall of Justice, 50 State Street, Springfield, MA 01102 |
| Phone | (413) 748-8600 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Serves | Longmeadow, Springfield, West Springfield |
| Transit | PVTA Blue 6, Blue 7, Green 1, Green 2, Green 5, Green 8 |
| Court Info | mass.gov - Springfield District Court |
The Springfield District Court handles traffic ticket hearings for the city and surrounding towns.
The Hampden County Hall of Justice at 50 State Street is the home of the Springfield District Court, where all local traffic citation hearings take place.
Responding to a Springfield Traffic Citation
The 20-day response window starts on the date the ticket was issued. That date is printed on the citation. If you miss the deadline, the RMV can record a default and suspend your license. Act within those 20 days no matter what you plan to do.
Paying the fine is the simplest option but means you accept the violation. It will show as a surchargeable event on your Massachusetts driving record and can lead to higher insurance premiums. You can pay online, by mail, or at an RMV Service Center. Instructions are on the traffic ticket payment page at mass.gov.
If you want to contest the ticket, request a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. The fee is $25. The hearing is informal and the issuing officer typically is not required to be there. You can explain what happened and present any relevant facts. If the outcome is not satisfactory, you can appeal to a judge for $50 more. At the judge appeal, the officer must attend. If the officer does not appear, the case is typically dismissed. The appeal instructions at mass.gov and the hearing overview page both explain what to expect at each stage.
Springfield Police Department is located at 130 Pearl Street, Springfield, MA 01105, reachable at (413) 787-6300. State Police also enforce traffic laws on I-91 and I-291, which run through Springfield. State Police tickets go through the same court process as city-issued ones.
Traffic Fines and Surcharges
Fine amounts are the same across Massachusetts. Location does not change the base fine. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over costs $50. Speeding 11 or more mph over costs $50 plus $10 for every extra mph. A $50 Head Injury Trust Fund surcharge is added on top of every speeding fine. So the total for going 25 mph over the limit would be $50 + $50 + ($10 x 14) = $240, plus any court fees for a hearing.
Hands-free violations are $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second, and $500 for any after that. The hands-free law has been in effect since February 23, 2020. Both speeding and hands-free tickets are surchargeable. The surchargeable incidents list at mass.gov shows every violation type that can affect your insurance rate.
Three speeding tickets in a 12-month period triggers a 30-day suspension under MGL c. 90, section 20. Habitual traffic offenders under MGL c. 90, section 22F face a four-year suspension. Springfield drivers who regularly travel I-91 or Route 5 should keep track of their record. You can check your driving record for $8 (unattested) or $20 (attested) through the myRMV portal. For more on suspensions triggered by multiple offenses, see mass.gov.
OUI Arrests and Serious Charges
OUI cases in Springfield go through the district court but are criminal proceedings, not civil infractions. The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over. For drivers under 21 the limit is 0.02%. Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. An OUI charge is far more serious than a standard traffic ticket. Criminal penalties, license revocation, and ignition interlock requirements all come into play. The Springfield District Court handles OUI arraignments. More serious or repeat offenses can be moved to the Hampden County Superior Court, also in Springfield at the same general complex at 50 State Street.
If you face a serious charge tied to a traffic stop in Springfield, getting legal help early matters. The traffic tickets overview at mass.gov covers the civil infraction side. Criminal matters are handled differently and typically require an attorney.
Finding Springfield Traffic Citation Records
The quickest way to find a Springfield traffic citation is through MassCourts. It is free and open to the public. You can search by name or case number. The system shows all docket activity for cases in the Springfield District Court, including hearing dates, outcomes, and whether the case is open or resolved.
The mass.gov traffic tickets page gives an overview of the statewide system. It links out to payment, appeals, and RMV record requests. If you want to check your full driving history, use the myRMV online portal for a $8 unattested record or request an attested copy for $20 through the RMV driving record page.
To access case files in person, visit the clerk's office at 50 State Street during business hours. Bring a photo ID and the citation number if you have it. Staff can locate case files by name or case number and help you request copies. The fee for copies varies by type.
Hampden County Traffic Ticket Records
Springfield is the county seat of Hampden County in western Massachusetts. All traffic citations issued within the city go through the Springfield District Court, which operates within the Hampden County court system. For a complete view of how traffic tickets are handled across Hampden County, including courts serving Holyoke, Chicopee, and other communities, visit the county page.