Criminal Offender Record Information

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) in Massachusetts is a system that tracks an individual’s criminal court history, including arrests, convictions, dismissals, and serious violations. Approximately 1.5 million CORI reports are generated annually. On August 6, 2010, Governor Deval Patrick signed reforms to the CORI system with the goal of improving employment opportunities.

The CORI system has been controversial due to its impact on individuals’ lives. Advocacy groups such as the Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI and others argue that the reports are flawed and difficult to interpret. They highlight how all court arraignments, regardless of case outcomes, effectively turn criminal histories into "life sentences," negatively affecting employment, housing, loans, education, and guardianship opportunities. The system also impacts the children of individuals with criminal records.

Under reforms introduced in the early 2010s, individuals must wait 10 years after final disposition for felonies and five years for misdemeanors to apply to have their records sealed. However, additional waiting periods of 15 or 10 years are imposed if an individual receives a minor citation, such as a traffic ticket over $50. A proposed reform bill in the state legislature aims to reduce these waiting periods and allow judges to seal dismissed cases after the probation period ends.

The controversy surrounding CORI underscores the need for balancing individual rights with public access to criminal records. Advocates emphasize the system’s far-reaching social and economic consequences, particularly for former offenders and their families.