Table of Contents
Plymouth County Courts, MA *
Plymouth County lies on the South Shore of Cape Cod Bay and is the oldest settlement in the Northeast. Residents need access to court records and information on how to conduct court business because they use the court system regularly. Landlords may need tenant information, while employers may use it to search for criminal records for a prospective employee. People use the courts to file a lawsuit, obtain access to court documents, or research archived records. Knowing how the courts work can save residents frustration, time, and money.
How to Access Plymouth County Court Records
Online Access
Like many states in the Northeast, Massachusetts has a unified court system, which means universal access to court cases is available online via the MassGov portal. However, not all court documents may be available, depending on the age of the case. Massachusetts began digitizing its records online in 2003 and has had nearly all court cases available online since 2005. It is easy to access court cases online, no matter which court the case was heard in. Include as much information as possible to speed up the search.
Alternative Online Options
Although Plymouth County is part of the unified court system with online search features, some residents may find it difficult to access. An alternative for residents who want quick, convenient online access to court records across the state and nationwide is CourtCaseFinder. This court case aggregator can quickly and efficiently look up divorces, evictions, criminal records, and lawsuits, even with missing or incomplete information.
In-Person Requests
Residents may sometimes need access to court records that are available at the Court Clerks' Offices. They may need certified copies of court records for another court, a bank, or a government agency. People also need to view court documents from a case that are not available online. Ask the Court Clerks for help obtaining or viewing needed documents. Court Clerks can also provide information on archived cases, court filings, or court procedures.
Archived Records
Plymouth County is one of America's oldest settlements, and its court records date back to the 17th century. Because of the county's age and the sheer number of cases, courthouses don't have room to store all those files, so each county in Massachusetts has a system for archiving records. The first stop residents should make is with the Court Clerks, who can point people in the right direction. Several locations offer archived court records online, including the National Archives, FamilySearch, and the Massachusetts Archives.
Overview of the Plymouth County Court System
Massachusetts is a unified court system managed by the Supreme Judicial Court and headed by the Chief Justice. The Supreme Judicial Court is the state's highest appeals court, where all appeals from the state appellate court are heard. The Massachusetts Appeals Court hears appeals from all state-level trial courts in Massachusetts.
At the county level, Plymouth County has several trial courts as both a county and a regional hub. The highest trial court in Plymouth County is the Superior Court, which hears major felony criminal cases and major civil cases over $50,000. The county's District Court hears primarily misdemeanor cases, as well as smaller civil suits and small claims lawsuits. Massachusetts also has Housing Courts, primarily hearing issues between landlords and tenants. Also, there is a separate Land Court that hears foreclosures, title disputes, tax liens on property, and zoning issues. The Juvenile Court hears juvenile delinquency and dependency cases. Probate and Family Courts handle child support and custody, divorce, and other family-related cases. The state has no Municipal Courts outside of the city of Boston.
Types of Courts in Plymouth County, Massachusetts
Superior Court
The Superior Court is Plymouth County's highest trial court. Superior Courts hear the county's most serious criminal and large civil cases.
Jurisdiction:
- Appeals from District, Family and Probate, Housing, or Juvenile Courts
- Contract disputes
- Civil cases with damages over $50,000
- Equity cases asking for law or policy changes rather than money damages
- Felony criminal cases with prison terms over 5 years, such as murder or armed robbery
- State, county, or municipal lawsuits
Primary Location: Plymouth Trial Court Complex, Plymouth
District Court
District Courts hear misdemeanor and minor felony cases as well as civil lawsuits. It is the court most Plymouth County residents will interact with during their lives.
Jurisdiction:
- All misdemeanor crimes
- Civil cases under $50,000, including personal injury, breach of contract, and property damage
- Lesser felony crimes with a penalty of less than 5 years in prison
- Traffic tickets and ordinance violations
- Small claims cases up to $7000
- Warrant hearings (arrest warrants, search warrants)
Primary Location: Plymouth Trial Court Complex, Plymouth
Housing Court
The Housing Court hears civil and criminal matters related to housing. This court does not hear cases related to home ownership; instead, it hears issues involving rental housing. A statewide court, the Land Court, based in Boston, hears issues related to home ownership, tax liens, and property divisions.
Jurisdiction:
- Appeals, restraining orders, and injunctions against landlords or tenants
- Criminal or code enforcement cases regarding housing, such as sanitary or fire code violations
- Evictions
- Housing discrimination or unfair practices lawsuits
- Lawsuits regarding personal injury or property damage in rental units
- Small claims cases between landlord and tenant, such as security deposit disputes
Primary Location: Plymouth Trial Court Complex, Plymouth
Family and Probate Court
The Plymouth County Family and Probate Court hears cases involving families. The most common cases involve the dissolution of a marriage, but it also handles wills and estates, as well as guardianship and conservatorship hearings, as well as domestic violence cases with protective orders.
Jurisdiction:
- Child support and custody
- Divorce, division of property, and alimony
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts
- Paternity, adoption, and termination of parental rights
- Wills, trusts, and estates
Primary Location: Plymouth Trial Court Complex, Plymouth
Juvenile Court
Juvenile Courts hear nearly all cases involving juvenile delinquency and dependency. The cases are heard by a judge rather than a jury.
- Adoption or termination of parental rights (concurrent with Family Court)
- Crimes committed by a juvenile under 18 years of age at the time of the crime
- Criminal charges for adults contributing to the delinquency of a minor
- CRA (Children Requiring Assistance) cases
- Guardianship (concurrent with Family Court)
- Hearings to determine whether a serious felony committed by a juvenile should be moved to adult court
Primary Location: Plymouth Trial Court Complex, Plymouth
How to File a Case in Plymouth County
Residents of Plymouth County are lucky in that all of their courts, with the exception of the Land Court, are located within one building. However, county residents still need to know how to file a civil case. By following these steps, residents can save time and frustration and file a court case successfully.
Step 1: Choose the Correct Court
Although all courts in Plymouth County are in the same county, residents still need to know where to file their case. In general, file civil cases worth more than $50,000 in Superior Court, and file civil cases worth less than $50,000 in District Court. File landlord-tenant civil issues in Housing Court, while homeownership and tax lien cases must be filed with the Land Court in Boston. File family law or probate cases with the Family and Probate Court. Not sure where to file? Check with the Court Clerks to determine which court one needs to file in.
Step 2: Complete Required Forms
Each court case in Massachusetts has specific forms that must be filled out before a case can be filed. Forms for each court can be found online using the Court Forms page on the MassGov website. Complete all required forms before filing, as failure to file may delay the case or prompt a request from the Court Clerk or judge for additional paperwork. If a resident has trouble completing their court forms, they can ask the appropriate Court Clerk for help.
Step 3: File the Case
Massachusetts makes it as easy as possible to file a case. Residents of Plymouth County can file in person or online. If they choose to file in person, they can visit the respective court clerk's office to file their paperwork. They can also file online using eFileMA. Self-filers can file online or in person, but attorneys must file online.
Step 4: Pay Filing Fees
Depending on which way residents choose to file, they will either pay their filing fees online or in person. There are always filing fees for each civil court case, and the amount depends on how much the case is worth in damages. Smaller cases charge less in court filing fees than large damage cases. If filing online, residents will pay online using a credit or debit card. If filing in person, residents will pay the appropriate court clerk using a card, cash, check, or money order. If a resident cannot afford to pay filing fees, they can file for a waiver of court fees, but they must be prepared to prove economic hardship.
Step 5: Serve the Other Party
Residents who file a civil lawsuit must notify the other party of the lawsuit in Plymouth County. In Massachusetts, a sheriff's deputy or constable serves the paperwork. While the law requires a government official to serve the initial paperwork, it does not require service for subsequent filings. For example, additional paperwork can be mailed to the defendant. Return the Service of Process form to the court after the defendant has been served, or risk the case being delayed or even dismissed by a judge.
Step 6: Monitor the Case
Residents should monitor their cases for updates, calendar changes, hearing dates, or requests for additional documentation. They can check case progress online via eFileMA or the MassGov website. Residents can also visit the appropriate Court Clerk in person or call.
Plymouth County Courthouse Directory
Plymouth Trial Court Complex (Superior, District, Housing, Probate and Family, and Juvenile Courts)
Plymouth
Address: 52 Obery St., Plymouth, MA 02630
Phone: (508) 747-8400
Website: Plymouth County Courts
Legal and Self-Help Resources
While many residents can file their cases without much difficulty, some may need additional help, either through free legal resources or self-help services. Here are some resources Plymouth County residents may find helpful.
- Resources are available for all residents on the Massachusetts government's Self-Help page. The site includes information for self-filers and residents who want to represent themselves in small claims or family cases, as well as information on court structure, accessing court documents, court forms, and a state directory of assistance.
- Massachusetts has over 100,000 veterans, representing about 5% of the population. Veterans Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income veterans and senior citizens. Pro bono lawyers can help with service issues, benefits, housing, and other civil issues.
FAQs
How do I search for a criminal case in Plymouth County?
Searching for a criminal case in Plymouth County isn't difficult, especially online. The Superior Court hears felony crimes, while the District Court hears misdemeanor cases, as well as traffic tickets. Housing Court hears criminal violations regarding landlords. No matter what type of case a resident is looking for, they should be able to find it via the MassGov website court case lookup. They can also find it by using a third-party resource like CourtCaseFinder.
Are court records public in Plymouth County?
Nearly all court records in Plymouth County are public, but a few exceptions exist. Juvenile cases are not public because children are under the age of 18 and cannot have public records. The exception is if a juvenile offender commits a violent crime and the case is moved to adult court. Mental health commitments, guardianships, and conservatorships are also not public because of federal laws on medical privacy. Judges can also seal court records.
Where can I find eviction records?
In Plymouth County, eviction records fall under the Housing Court. Housing Courts handle nearly all civil and criminal cases involving tenants and landlords. If the case is newer than 2005, it can be found using MassGov's court case lookup. Residents can also contact the Housing Court Clerk in person or by telephone for additional information about an eviction case.
Other Counties in Massachusetts
Table of Contents
