MACourts is the official handle of the Mass. Judiciary for general updates on the courts. See
@MACourtClosings
for temporary court closures & delayed openings.
The Mass Judiciary will use this new site to provide updates on information & events involving the court system. For information on our Twitter policy, please go to
Supreme Judicial Court issues updated Order on state court operations. Courts to continue virtual process for emergency matters; courthouses closed to public unless exceptional circumstances until June 1. No jury trials earlier than July 1. To read more
The Trial Court celebrated the adoption of 97 children across Mass. into their forever families as part of Nat'l Adoption Day on Fri, 11/19. The yearly event raises awareness of the thousands of children in state foster care in need of adoptive families.
Supreme Judicial Court issues new order on court operations. Courthouses will open to the public for limited purposes starting July 13. Cell phones will be permitted, subject to rules. No jury trials earlier than Sept 8. For details
Worcester Tech High students took a deep dive into the legal world at the Worcester County Courthouse this week! They explored various career pathways with judges, court officers, probation officers, and representatives from the DA's Office,
@CPCSnews
&
@WorcesterPD
.
@wteagles
The Supreme Judicial Court issues new orders to expand court operations, lift certain access restrictions, and continue mask requirement. For details go to:
Massachusetts Chief Justices outline path forward for court operations during the pandemic, continuing virtual hearings in June and addressing reopening of courthouses. For details
7 student justices took a seat on the bench at the Supreme Judicial Court as part of Student Government Day on 3/31/23. Standing behind the students is SJC Justice Serge Georges, Jr., who spoke with them about the Judicial Branch. Learn more:
The 2021 Massachusetts Guide to Evidence is now available. The guide is an educational & research tool for attorneys, judges, & self-represented litigants seeking to understand & apply Massachusetts evidence law. Details & access to e-version of the guide:
Today, the Trial Court launches eDelivery, the electronic distribution of certain documents & notices to attorneys as part of a larger effort to digitize court operations. Most documents should be eDeliverable by year end. For details
SJC Chief Justice Kimberly S. Budd presented pro bono awards yesterday to three attorneys and a law student for exceptional dedication to providing volunteer legal services. Learn more about the awardees:
SJC & Trial Court orders effective today outline changes to court operations. Jury trials are paused until 1/31/22. Courts remain open for in-person business & will conduct matters remotely when possible. Everyone entering will be screened.
The Trial Court will launch a $4M grant to expand behavioral health services in Boston Municipal Court during an online event on 6/30. The funds will expand services to people with serious mental health conditions who are justice-involved. Details at
The Trial Court’s 4th Annual Women's History Month Celebration included inspiring stories and empowering discussions. The event, Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, honored seven trailblazers and celebrated all who champion an inclusive & equitable future.
Today, the Supreme Judicial Court welcomed the return of more than 520 Salem Witch Trial court records from the Peabody Essex Museum to the Judicial Archives. Read about the return of these historic documents.
Registration is open for the Feb 2022 Court Officer Entrance Exam. Join the 1,000+ officers who contribute to the Trial Court’s mission to deliver justice with dignity & speed by providing a safe & secure environment for the administration of justice.
Mass. Trial Court awarded two federal grants totaling $2.6M to expand its Family Treatment Court program and reduce high-risk probationer recidivism. Details:
The Trial Court is hosting a virtual town hall in Malden on Thursday, March 11 at 12 pm on court services & community resources. Watch the event on Comcast Ch. 22 or Verizon Ch. 26 online or at . Translations in 7 languages at
Due to power outages throughout the region, courts in the following counties will have a delayed opening of 12:00 P.M. - Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk and Plymouth.
Covid-19 health and safety protocols are in place at all courthouses for the protection of the public and court staff. To notify the court of any concerns related to court operations during the pandemic, go to
On this day of remembrance in honor of SJC Chief Justice Ralph Gants, the court shares an In Memoriam page to read and post memories of the Chief Justice:
Gloria Steinem featured with 8 other trailblazing honorees at Trial Court Women's History Month event in Chelsea today, March 21st, at 12:30 pm. Watch the livestreamed event. Details at:
A Veterans Treatment Court serving central MA is now open at Gardner District Court. Learn how VTCs provide support to veterans with criminal cases struggling with substance use disorders, mental health issues and/or other co-occurring disorders:
National Center for State Courts (
@StateCourts
) interviewed Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey on how the Massachusetts Trial Court is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read more.
The Supreme Judicial Court will hold a special sitting at the Plymouth County Superior Court on Friday, 10/7. The Justices will hear oral arguments in three cases and participate in a Q & A with local high school students. For information, go to
The Supreme Judicial Court's September sitting week begins on September 11, 2023. For information on the calendar of cases, visit:
Oral arguments will begin at 9 a.m. and will be streamed live at:
The Trial Court will continue reduced in-person court operations through Jan. 8, 2021, to safeguard court users & staff due to increasing COVID infections in Mass. Courthouses remain open; Staff will use technology to maximize remote operations.
The Supreme Judicial Court today issued an updated order on the operation of courts & courthouses during the ongoing pandemic, effective 3/1/21. The principal change involves the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the gradual resumption of jury trials.
Gloria Steinem featured with 8 other trailblazing honorees at Trial Court Women’s History Month event in Chelsea on Tuesday, March 21 at 12:30 pm. See details about this livestreamed event here:
The Supreme Judicial Court today issued a new order on the resumption of jury trials and on court operations. On or after Oct. 23, a limited number of 6-person jury trials will be conducted in a select number of locations. For details, go to
State Court judges and staff stand up and speak out against disrespectful actions and behavior in this eight-minute “Upstander” call to action. Watch the video here:
The Trial Court has updated to improve the appearance and usability for case searches and make it easier to pay fees. With these improvements, ePay now includes a convenient "Quick Pay" feature for direct payment access. More at:
Supreme Judicial Court Justices have appointed Associate Court Administrator John Bello as the next Trial Court Administrator, effective March 1, 2021. Details at
Massachusetts Court Leaders will host a virtual community conversation on Confronting Racism in the Courts, today, 2/22, from 5-7pm. Watch live on YouTube at
Tomorrow, we honor Massachusetts’ first Quock Walker Day. In the Quock Walker case, the SJC applied the principle of judicial review to abolish slavery and held that it was incompatible with the new state constitution. Learn more at:
Colorful youth artwork crafted by students from
@CCSCambridge
&
@Mass_DYS
now adorns the walls of the Middlesex County Juvenile Court in Cambridge. Paired with new child-friendly space in Probation, the Art Inspiration Project creates a more welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.
Probate and Family Court is now piloting virtual registries in Barnstable, Essex, and Middlesex Counties. Contact the Register’s office via Zoom for assistance with court forms, documents, and more. For details,
Massachusetts is among the first states in the country to eliminate probation supervision fees, building on the goals of the Commonwealth’s 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act. Read about it here:
The CDC eviction moratorium has been extended through October 3, 2021. The CDC Order applies to Massachusetts residents in all counties as of August 4, 2021. Learn more at
Yesterday, Governor Maura Healey administered the ceremonial Oath of Office to the Honorable Elizabeth N. Dewar as Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Full press release:
Photo credit: Josh Qualls, Massachusetts Governor’s Office
Attorneys and advocates: Join the Trial Court &
@BostonBar
for a free webinar on navigating the court system in a language other than English on 5/24 from 4:30-6 PM. Learn how to work with interpreters, request CART/ASL, and more. Register at
Research on Massachusetts Probation Service programs shows that incarceration alternatives are effective and provide potential for cost savings and equity. Read findings here
Massachusetts courthouses are open and doing most business remotely during the pandemic. This video tells you what remote services are available and how to access them.
The Trial Court will reduce in-person court operations from Fri, Nov. 27- Fri, Dec. 4, to safeguard health and safety. Courthouses will remain open & Trial Court staff will maximize remote work & leverage technologies to conduct operations remotely.
Trial Court departments have issued new or revised standing orders about court procedures and operations during the phased reopening of Massachusetts courthouses beginning July 13th. For details go to
July 26 is ADA Day, the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Learn about court accessibility at:
#ADA33
Supreme Judicial Court updates order on court operations and issues new order on remote depositions. Courts are open to conduct business virtually; court buildings remain closed until July 1. No jury trials earlier than Sept 8. For details
SJC Chief Justice Kimberly Budd will speak at the annual Talk to the Hill event today @ 11am. The virtual event is open to the public & will highlight the continued need for state funding of civil legal aid programs to low-income Mass. residents in need.
Last week, nearly 30 Trial Court employees visited
@BHCCBoston
, engaging with students and showcasing the wide array of career paths within our courts. Discover current opportunities at:
Yesterday, Homeless Court was in session at the
@PineStreetInn
, helping individuals experiencing homelessness clear non-violent charges through treatment & training programs. The hearings are a step towards housing, employment, and a fresh start for many:
The Trial Court is hosting statewide, week-long food drives as part of its 5th annual Cultural Appreciation Week. For more information and to find court locations where you can donate, go to .
Trial Court Law Libraries and Court Service Centers are providing services remotely during COVID-19. This video tells you which services are available and how to access them.
Trial Court Service Centers have gone virtual. Self-represented court users can now get assistance by video or phone on family law, housing & debt collection, & more. Virtual CSCs are open Monday-Friday from 9am-12pm. For more information go to
Housing Court’s new virtual front counter service provides remote face-to-face assistance to court users without having to come to a courthouse. Speak to court staff by videoconference or phone. Open M-F from 1pm-4:30pm. For details, go to
Trial Court issues new order to handle most emergency matters virtually. Trial Court departments have updated standing orders on emergency operational protocols. For details
The Trial Court continues to require health and safety measures in courthouses, including mask wearing, social distancing, and screening. For information on court safety protocols, go to
The start date for the gradual resumption of jury trials has been extended to the week of Nov. 30th. Phase 1 of the plan is being scaled back to a small number of locations. For details, go to
Chelsea District Court will host a Women’s History Month celebration to honor women leaders in the courts & state today, March 30, at 10 am. Participants include SJC Chief Justice Kimberly Budd & Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey. Details and link at
The Trial Court provides interpretation and translation services in over 60 languages for court proceedings and more at no cost to court users. This video explains how to access the court’s language services:
Chief Justice Paula Carey today announced she will retire from the Trial Court in Jan. 2022. Chief Justice Carey will have served almost 9 years as Trial Court chief advancing and improving access to justice for all in the state.
Begin your career with the Trial Court Security Department. We’re looking for individuals who strive to ensure public safety, access to justice, and the highest level of service to all who utilize our courts.
Apply today at:
The Mass. Access to Justice Commission launches new COVID-19 Pro Bono portal to connect volunteer attorneys and law students to pandemic-related pro bono opportunities that serve low-income Massachusetts residents. Learn more
The Supreme Judicial Court today extended the current pause on all jury trials in Massachusetts state courthouses for an additional two weeks, until Feb 14. Details at
Recently, the Trial Court Excellence Awards Ceremony at the John Adams Courthouse celebrated 100+ court employees for their outstanding contributions to public service. Congratulations to all awardees for furthering the court's mission to deliver justice with dignity and speed.
#NationalAdoptionDay
is here! Today, we join families in a statewide celebration as 116 adoptions are finalized in courthouses across the Commonwealth.
Read more about this annual event at:
The Supreme Judicial Court today presented the annual Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards to 3 attorneys for their tremendous dedication to providing volunteer legal services for persons who cannot afford an attorney for their essential legal needs.
The Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments on Wed & Fri, 5/5 and 5/7 as part of its May sitting week. For more information, go to . Oral arguments will begin at 9 am and will be streamed live at .
The Supreme Judicial Court presented this year’s Adams Pro Bono Publico Awards to 4 awardees chosen by the SJC Pro Bono Committee for providing exceptional volunteer services to persons who cannot afford an attorney for their essential legal needs.
The Trial Court has issued revised child support guidelines to be effective October 4, 2021. The guidelines are based on a comprehensive review by the 2020-2021 Child Support Guidelines Task Force. For details go to
The Trial Court today announced the appointment of Hon. Diana H. Horan as the next Chief Justice of Housing Court, effective March 25, 2023. For details, go to:
Over 100 judges visited 160+ schools & community sites in March for Judicial Outreach Month! JOM sparks dialogue and promotes public understanding of and trust in the judiciary. Thank you to all participating community members, judges, & volunteers!
The Supreme Judicial Court today updated its order regarding public access to Massachusetts courthouses during the COVID-19 pandemic, effective 8/3. It includes the travel and quarantine requirements issued in Governor Baker's latest travel order. Details:
Today, the Trial Court announced the appointment of Hon. Tracy-Lee Lyons as the next Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court for a five-year term effective January 1, 2024. For details, visit:
Curious about a career in the courts but unsure where to begin? Join us on 6/14 @ 12 PM for a career panel with three judiciary leaders at
@BPLBoston
. Learn about their professional paths & current career opportunities. Register for in-person or Zoom:
The Trial Court continues to require health and safety measures in courthouses, including mask wearing, social distancing, and screening. For information on court safety protocols, go to
Did you know the Trial Court provides access to services & resources virtually from local libraries? Learn about our partnership with public libraries and how you can access services at:
#NationalLibraryWeek
On May 18, Mass. Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill spoke at
@PropheticBoston
's Reentry Fair at Second Church of Dorchester in Codman Square to discuss MPS resources for individuals reentering the community, such as counseling, housing, education, healthcare, and job training.
Today at 4 pm - The Mass Bar Association’s Annual State of the Judiciary, with remarks by SJC Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey, & Court Administrator John Bello. To watch on YouTube, go to
Supreme Judicial Court & Board of Bar Examiners announce plan for 2020 bar exam. SJC also enables more law school graduates to appear in court under student practice rule. For details on exam plan and order –
The Boston Municipal Court - West Roxbury Division now
offers virtual face-to-face "front counter" assistance. Hours are Mon - Fri, 9am-12pm & 2-4 pm. Details at
Project NORTH helps court-involved individuals connect to recovery services. Learn how this $6 million grant-funded Trial Court program assists those in need. Read about it here: