Major Massachusetts Municipal Court Information and Locations

Criminal jurisdiction of the Boston Municipal Court, Massachusetts consists of offenses which do not require a state prison sentence. If a prison sentence is mandated, the court can conduct probable cause hearings to determine whether the case will be handed over to the superior court. Municipal courts have the authority of original jurisdiction over numerous serious felonies which are concurrent with the Superior Court.

The Municipal court’s civil jurisdiction includes torts and contract actions and cases that are remanded from the Superior Court such as small claims, small claims jury appeals, summary process, mental health commitments, supplementary proceedings, unemployment compensations appeals, domestic abuse actions and paternity and support actions.

Municipal courts have the right of jurisdiction to review the findings of the State Police Trial Board. The court has an equitable jurisdiction in cases leading to poisoning prevention, landlord interference, sanitary code, residential nuisances and family abuse prevention cases.

Contact Information for Boston Municipal Court

The administrative office mailing address:

Edward W. Brooke Courthouse
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: Civil – 617-788-8400
       Criminal – 617-788-8600
       Probation – 617-788-8426

Application Procedure for Criminal Complaint

If you want to file an application for criminal complaint in the municipal court, go to the local police station in the jurisdiction. A Police Incident Report must be filled in and should be obtained from the police station. A copy of the report must be reported to the courthouse which is under the correct jurisdiction where the activity took place.

The municipal court will assist you in filling out the application for Criminal Complaint. When the procedure is completed a court hearing is scheduled and the defendant will be notified by mail. Both defendant and the offender are required to attend the hearing.

The report of incident must have the contact address of the defendant and it must be verified so that the summons can be sent to the defendant to appear for the court hearing. The address is necessary for the court to issue summons, without which the court will not be able to proceed with the process of hearing.

If the defendant or the complainant fails to appear in front of the court, the application will be denied without prejudice. The burden of the probable cause solely lies on the shoulders of the complainant. Counsel for the hearing is not mandatory for the defendant. In order to proceed with this process, an attorney is generally appointed.

You can also use the following address to file a criminal complaint:

Boston Municipal Criminal Court
Edward W. Brooke Courthouse
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114

Or you can visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/bostonmunicipalcourt/.

Civil Jurisdiction

The municipal court’s Civil Department of Boston, Massachusetts has jurisdiction over defendants who are residents of the Suffolk County, and those who are staying outside Suffolk County per the Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 218, Section 1. Another significant power that the Boston Municipal Court’s Civil Department has is jurisdiction over defendants who stay outside Massachusetts, as per the long arm statute under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 223A Sections 1 through 11.

Bail Procedures

There are certain procedures under Boston Municipal Court Department, Massachusetts which state that if the case has been disposed bail may be returned to the defendant. In order to get bail refunded the defendant must have the blue receipt and picture identification and upon submission of both the documents to the Criminal Clerk’s Office one gets the bail. The bail is given back to the person or the defendant who has signed for it.

In case the blue receipt is lost or misplaced the person who is the defendant must bring a notarized letter from a Notary Public which should state that the blue receipt has been lost or misplaced. If the defendant fails to appear in front of the court on any given date which is prior to the date of conclusion of the case the bail is forfeited by the court and returned to the state treasurer.

If you have any question regarding the Trial Court Department of the Municipal Court of Boston, Massachusetts you can get in touch at 617-788-8700.

For jury duty call 1-800-843-5879 or mail to webmaster@jud.state.ma.us.

Specific Massachusetts Municipal Court Information:

Worcester Municipal Court