What does the Boston Municipal Court do?
The Boston Municipal Court Department serves the City of Boston, handling both criminal and civil matters while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law, and protecting human dignity through respect, compassion, correction, and the fair resolution of cases.
What courts are in Boston?
Our organizations
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
- Appeals Court.
- Executive Office of the Trial Court.
- District Court.
- Boston Municipal Court.
- Housing Court.
- Juvenile Court.
- Land Court.
What court division is Boston?
Central Division
Central Division, Boston Municipal Court.
How many superior courts are there in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has two appellate courts – the Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court. The Appeals Court consists of a chief justice and 24 associate justices.
What is a trial in MA?
A trial is where a factfinder determines whether you are guilty or not guilty of the offense you’re charged with. You can choose a jury or to go in front of a judge. This stage of a criminal case in Massachusetts is where an attorney is most crucial. After the trial, you have the right to appeal.
Which county does Boston belong to?
Suffolk CountyBoston / County
How do I look up court cases in Massachusetts?
Online +
- Go to www.masscourts.org and click the button that says “Click here to search public records.” You’ll then select the court department and court division you’re searching in.
- After you complete these fields, search tabs for name, case type, case number, and ticket/citation # will appear.
What are the levels of court in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts state court system has three levels: Trial courts. Appeals courts. Supreme Judicial Court.
What district court covers Boston?
United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
What kind of cases are heard in Superior Court Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Superior Court has original jurisdiction in criminal cases, civil actions over $50,000, and labor disputes. It also has exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases and exclusive authority to call medical malpractice tribunals.
What is the difference between local court and district court?
There are some differences between Local Court and District Court. The main difference is that Local Court is heard by a magistrate with lawyers appearing for accused people, with no jury. District Court is when Judges, Barristers and juries play their role.
What happens after being found not guilty?
If you are found not guilty, you will be acquitted and the matter is dismissed and finished. This has the same effect as if the police never charged you. You may be awarded costs if you paid for legal advice before the trial. Generally, you cannot claim non-legal costs.
Can you appeal a not guilty verdict?
In cases where the accused was acquitted (or found not guilty), the Appeal Court may overturn this decision and find the offender guilty of an offence. In such a case, the Appeal Court will also sentence the offender.
Why is Boston called Beantown?
Puritans took to the beans, the slave trade brought us molasses, and the most common tale is that sailors and merchants passing through the region’s biggest city would enjoy the quick, cheap meal to such a degree that the Beantown nickname emerged through word of mouth.
Is Boston older than New York?
Boston is the oldest with 35.7% of its residences built before 1940. This varies from 55.6% in the historical core city of Boston to roughly 32 percent in the suburbs, which are the oldest themselves in the country.
Are court records public?
Yes, generally public access to formal court records is available. There are specific restrictions on access to particular types of proceedings, for example Family Court matters. There are also a number of rules that govern access and the process.
Are police reports public record Massachusetts?
One of the services that all police departments provide in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the dissemination of information to the public. Essentially, all records a police department holds, creates, maintains, etc. are presumed to be public records unless a specifically-identified exemption applies.
What is the difference between district court and Superior Court in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, the superior courts has jurisdiction over all criminal cases. Meaning that the superior court is allowed to deal with any criminal charges. Conversely, the district court has limited jurisdiction. That means, the district court can deal with misdemeanors and only certain felonies.
What are the 7 Trial Court departments in Massachusetts?
There are 7 Trial Court departments.
- District Court.
- Boston Municipal Court.
- Housing Court.
- Juvenile Court.
- Land Court.
- Probate and Family Court.
- Superior Court.
How many district courts are there in MA?
The district court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth.
How many US district courts are there in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, there is one federal district court, a state supreme court, a state court of appeals, and trial courts with both general and limited jurisdiction.
What are the 4 types of cases?
The new “Four Types of Cases” encompass the following types of cases:
- They are major, difficult, complex, or sensitive;
- They involve mass disputes or cause widespread societal concern, which might affect social stability;
Is District Court worse than Local Court?
Summary matters are less serious and dealt with in the Local Court. If a charge on your court attendance notice has a small “si” next to it, meaning strictly indictable, then you are on your way to the district court for trial if you are pleading not guilty, or for sentence if you are entering a plea of guilty.
Is pleading guilty Better?
In exchange for pleading guilty, the criminal defendant may receive a lighter sentence or have charges reduced. Additionally, pleading guilty avoids the uncertainty of a trial. Juries can be unpredictable. Prosecutors may uncover additional evidence that can make it more likely for a jury to convict the defendant.
Why do guilty people plead not guilty?
Because of the availability of changing a plea to guilty later on, most criminal defendants plead not guilty at the arraignment because they know they can later change the plea if they do reach a favorable agreement.