Are indictments available to the public in MA? (Boston, Franklin: attorneys, house)

[asummernight]

I want to get a copy of an indictment from the Massachusetts court system. Does anyone know if they are public record? I have called the court house in Suffolk County and I have received several different answers. One person said yes, another said no and one person told me there is no such thing. I called the court house in Franklin, MA and I was told that I could get one. The receptionist told me what I needed to do. I sent in my request but have not received a response. Please help!

[capecodcathy]

You may be able to get a copy of the indictment, but not the transcripts of the Grand Jury. How long since you sent your request? It's the court system and could take weeks, even months. They are incredibly overburdened. Do you know an attorney who frequents the courthouse and may be able to get it for you?

[asummernight]

I sent the request in April. I live in NC so I don't know any attorneys. I understand that it may take some time but I'm frustrated that I cannot get a definite answer. I don't know what else to do. I have sent in three requests; when I call to follow up just to make sure the request was received I'm told 'no'. If I can’t get it that’s fine, but I’m doing what the judicial system employees tell me to do, only to find that my request is not getting to its’ intended destination, or so I’m told.

[CaseyB]

Make sure your request is sent to the right courthouse. In your initial post, you mentioned a Suffolk county court and then a request in Franklin. Franklin doesn't have a courthouse, and it's in Norfolk county.

[capecodcathy]

Good catch, CaseyB.

[asummernight]

I sent the request to the right courthouse, Suffolk Cty. I called the Franklin Superior Courthouse to see what response they would have to my request. I only called because I got 3 different answers from Suffolk Cty.

[CaseyB]

Well, this is what I was talking about.

1. There is no such place as "Suffolk City". There is a Suffolk COUNTY (Boston and 3 or 4 other smaller
cities.

2. There IS a Franklin County - that is in Western Massachusetts. I think the Superior Court is in
Greenfield.

3. There is the TOWN of Franklin, located in Norfolk County. The Superior Court is in Dedham.

[CoastalMaine]

Have you tried seeing if there's any information available online about it?

[asummernight]

CaseyB, I know that Boston is in Suffolk Cty (county) and I know that there is a city named Franklin. I called the Franklin Superior Courthouse in Greenfield because I wanted to ask another courthouse the same question (Are indictments available to the public?) just to see what response I would get. I called Franklin because I felt Suffolk Cty (county) is giving me the run around. Franklin told me yes, but Suffolk Cty (county) said 'no.'
CoastalMaine - I have not been successful finding any info online.

[capecodcathy]

I think you need to employ a local attorney if this is something you truly need to accomplish.