A basic knowledge of Massachusetts courts and judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it helps to understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Massachusetts courts and Massachusetts judges, keep the following in mind:

1. There are seven sub-divisions of the trial courts in Massachusetts, some of which only handle specific types of cases.

2. The Supreme Court and Massachusetts Court of Appeals only hear appellate cases.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through Massachusetts court records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate MA courts and judges

The Massachusetts court system is four-tiered. There are 62 district courts in Massachusetts, which hear civil and criminal cases. Additionally, there are courts designated for specific case types such as the 11 juvenile courts, 14 probate/family courts, five housing courts and the solitary land court. There is a superior court located in each of the 14 Massachusetts counties. Superior courts handle civil and criminal matters and appeals from cases in the other listed courts.

I recommend: Access The Massachusetts Court System’s directory of judges in Massachusetts trial courts. The list of judges is in alphabetical order and, by click on a judge’s name, you can obtain his curriculum vitae. Visit the Suffolk University Law School website for a guide on finding information on Massachusetts cases.

File an appeal with the Supreme Court and Massachusetts Court of Appeals

The Massachusetts Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the Massachusetts appellate courts and their decisions are final. There are seven judges in Massachusetts Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals has 25 judges.

I recommend: Rummage through appellate court decisions on the Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court of Massachusetts search database page. Visit the Supreme Judicial Court website to obtain biographical information on the Supreme Court judges in MA.

Access records from bankruptcy courts in Massachusetts

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. Massachusetts Bankruptcy court provides information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Massachusetts bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Obtain bankruptcy court forms and rules on the US Bankruptcy Court – District of Massachusetts website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search on the District of Massachusetts Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of courts and judges in Massachusetts, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.