Middlesex County Courts

Middlesex County is home to over 1.6 million residents. It is the most populous county in Massachusetts, representing 23% of the state's total population of about 7 million. The county seats are Lowell and Cambridge.

According to Massachusetts Court Data, the county's trial courts handle more than 100,000 case filings each year. These include about 20,000 criminal proceedings, 8,600 civil cases, and 8,000 probate matters. The trial courts handle various case types, depending on each court's jurisdiction.

• Superior Courts have general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases in Middlesex County.
• District Courts preside over criminal cases punishable by less than 5 years' imprisonment and civil lawsuits with less than $25,000 in claims.
• Middlesex Probate and Family Courts resolve domestic relations, abuse, probate issues, adoption, and guardianship cases.
• Housing Courts oversee landlord-tenant disputes and other issues about real property.
• Juvenile Courts judge cases involving juvenile delinquency, child protection, adoptions, and guardianships.

Middlesex County trial courts are spread across several parts of the county, including the county seats, Lowell and Cambridge.

How To Access Middlesex County Court Records

The Massachusetts Public Records Law ensures public access to court records containing criminal, probate, traffic, and civil cases. In Middlesex County, individuals may view these records online or request printed copies from the appropriate court. However, access to certain court documents is restricted. These include records of juvenile cases, adoptions, and active cases, which are only available to authorized agencies or parties directly involved in the case.

While many Middlesex County, MA court records are available online for free, others may require payment or an in-person visit. Requesters may need to provide basic case details or valid, government-issued photo IDs to retrieve certain records. Court records in Middlesex County may be accessed through any of the following methods:

Online

Middlesex County court records may be accessed online through the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal (also known as MassCourts eAccess). Users may search the statewide system by entering a case number, case type, or the name of a party involved. An alternative way to view Middlesex County records online is through CourtCaseFinder. The platform allows access to a wide range of court records from counties and courts throughout the United States.

Furthermore, individuals seeking court records for federal cases heard in Middlesex County may use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. To search for federal cases on PACER, users must first create an account on the platform. Then, log in to the online database and search by case number, party name, or filing date. Users are typically required to pay certain fees to access federal case files.

In-Person

Each courthouse in Middlesex County has a clerk responsible for maintaining records of cases heard by that court. To access these records in person, individuals must visit the specific courthouse that handled the case. They may contact the clerk's office in advance to ask about any requirements for in-person access. Depending on the court, requesters may need to fill out application forms or submit formal requests to obtain the records.

Anyone requesting copies of court records is typically required to pay a fee. Certified copies prepared by the clerk cost $2.50 per page, while standard non-certified copies are available for $0.05 per page. However, many courthouses in Middlesex County provide public-access terminals where individuals may view court records free of charge.

Old and Archived Court Records

Middlesex County trial courts typically maintain case files created within the last 75 years. For older case files, interested persons may submit formal requests to the Trial Court Record Centers located in East Brookfield and Worcester. TheMassachusetts State Archives may also provide access to archived court records such as colonial-era documents, historic criminal and civil case files, and early probate or land court records. To obtain such court records, interested individuals may contact the State Archives at:

How To File a Case in Middlesex County

Individuals may file cases in Middlesex County once they identify the appropriate court with jurisdiction over the matter. To do so, contact the court clerk to confirm that the court is authorized to handle the specific type of case being filed. Once confirmed, the next step is to decide whether to file by mail, online, or in person at the courthouse.

Middlesex County trial courts typically accept online filings for certain civil cases through the state's eFileMA. Other case types may be filed by mail or in person at the appropriate courthouse. To file a case in person, a plaintiff should visit the appropriate courthouse during regular business hours and bring all required documents, including completed court-approved forms, supporting evidence, and identification. Each court in Middlesex County may have varying case filing requirements. As such, litigants should contact the specific court clerk's office to confirm document requirements, accepted payment methods, and filing options.

Filing fees typically vary by case type and court. Individuals are required to pay the required fees at the time of filing by cash, check, or credit card, depending on the court's accepted payment methods. Those who cannot afford filing fees may request a fee waiver by submitting a completed Affidavit of Indigency and Supplement to Affidavit of Indigency to the court clerk. The clerk may approve the request or forward it to a judge for review within five days if the request is denied. Approved plaintiffs may file the case without paying the filing fees.

Follow these steps to file a case in Middlesex County:

• Identify the local court with jurisdiction over the case
• Contact the court clerk to confirm filing procedures, required forms, and accepted methods (in person, mail, or eFileMA).
• Complete court-approved forms relevant to the case type.
• Submit the filing either in person at the courthouse, by mail, or online if eligible.
• Attach supporting documents, such as affidavits, exhibits, and evidence.
• Pay the filing fee using an accepted method, or request a fee waiver.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Individuals who cannot afford legal representation for lawsuits in Middlesex County may seek assistance from local legal aid organizations, courthouse self-help centers, and pro bono panels. Available legal assistance and self-help services for low-income or unrepresented litigants in the county include:

• Middlesex County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

At the state level, residents may also access:

• Massachusetts Chapter, Lawyer Referral Service
• Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

Additional legal aid services and resources available to Middlesex County residents include:

• Northeast Legal Aid (NLA) - Offers free legal help in housing, family law, benefits, and other civil matters.
• Boston College Legal Assistance Bureau - A legal clinic staffed by law students under attorney supervision, serving low-income clients in family, housing, and public benefits cases.
• Harvard Defenders - For low-income individuals facing criminal show-cause hearings.
• Mass Legal Help - A comprehensive online portal with guides, forms, and resources on housing, family, and other civil issues.
• PAIR Project - Assists immigrants and asylum seekers with free legal representation and advocacy.
• Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) - For low-income residents facing issues like eviction, domestic violence, and employment disputes.
• Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) - Helps crime victims with free civil legal assistance related to their victimization.
• Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder - An online tool that helps users locate free or low-cost legal help based on location and legal issue.

Types of Courts in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Residents and business entities in Middlesex County are served by multiple courts, including superior, district, juvenile, probate, housing, and some federal courts. The jurisdiction of each court and contact information are listed below:

Middlesex County Superior Court - Lowell

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles first-degree murder cases, serious criminal offenses, civil cases over $50,000, requests for equitable relief, medical malpractice tribunals, and labor disputes involving injunctive relief.
• Address and Contact Information -

Middlesex County Superior Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Second Superior Court location, handling felony cases, civil actions over $50,000, and equitable matters, similar to the Lowell division.
• Address and Contact Information -

Ayer District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles criminal, civil, and small claims cases within Ayer and surrounding towns, including Groton, Boxborough, Townsend, Littleton, and Westford.
• Address and Contact Information -

Cambridge District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hears criminal misdemeanors, preliminary felony matters, civil suits under $50,000, and local ordinance violations arising from Cambridge, Arlington, and Belmont.
• Address and Contact Information -

Concord District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Covers criminal arraignments, civil claims under $50,000, landlord-tenant disputes, and motor vehicle offenses for cases originating in Concord, Carlisle, Lincoln, Lexington, Bedford, Acton, Maynard, and Stow.
• Address and Contact Information -

Framingham District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hears misdemeanor, civil disputes, and traffic violations that occurred in Sudbury, Ashland, Holliston, Framingham, Hopkinton, and Wayland.
• Address and Contact Information -

Lowell District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Oversees criminal arraignments, civil cases under $50,000, and small claims matters from Lowell, Billerica, Dracut, Tewksbury, Chelmsford, and Tyngsboro.
• Address and Contact Information -

Malden District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Serves Malden, Melrose, Everett, and Wakefield.
• Address and Contact Information -

Marlborough District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Hears criminal complaints, small claims, and civil cases under $50,000 arising from Marlborough and Hudson.
• Address and Contact Information -

Newton District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles criminal misdemeanors, civil cases, traffic offenses, and small claims matters for the city of Newton.
• Address and Contact Information -

Somerville District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Misdemeanors and small claims in Medford and Somerville are handled by this court.
• Address and Contact Information -

Waltham District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Oversees criminal, civil, small claims, and housing-related matters arising in Waltham, Watertown, and Weston.
• Address and Contact Information -

Woburn District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court serves North Reading, Burlington, Reading, Winchester, Stoneham, Wilmington, and Woburn.
• Address and Contact Information -

Cambridge Juvenile Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles juvenile delinquency, child protection, care and custody, adoption, and youthful offender cases for Cambridge and surrounding areas.
• Address and Contact Information -

Framingham Juvenile Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Oversees juvenile delinquency, care and protection, and child custody cases for Framingham and nearby communities.
• Address and Contact Information -

Middlesex County Juvenile Court -Lowell

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles juvenile legal matters and youthful offender cases in the Lowell area.
• Address and Contact Information -

Waltham Juvenile Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Serves youth-related legal matters for Waltham and surrounding towns.
• Address and Contact Information -

Middlesex Probate and Family Court North

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court deals with divorce, child custody, paternity, guardianship, and estate cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Middlesex Probate and Family Court South

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles similar matters, family law, probate, and guardianship, for residents in the southern parts of the county.
• Address and Contact Information -

Eastern Housing Court - Middlesex Session

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Resolves landlord-tenant disputes and other housing-related cases in Middlesex County.
• Address and Contact Information -

Northeast Housing Court - Lowell Session

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Focuses on housing-related disputes such as evictions and unsafe living conditions in Lowell and nearby cities.
• Address and Contact Information -

Northeast Housing Court - Woburn Session

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles housing issues like evictions and tenant-landlord disputes in Woburn and surrounding areas.
• Address and Contact Information -

Central Housing Court - Marlborough Session

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Manages housing-related legal matters, including evictions, code violations, and landlord-tenant disputes for the Marlborough area.
• Address and Contact Information -

Federal Courts in Middlesex County

The following are the federal courts serving the county:

United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Eastern Division)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - It has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases arising under federal law in the eastern region of the state, including Middlesex County. The court hears matters such as constitutional challenges, federal crimes, multi-state disputes, and cases involving federal statutes or agencies.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - District of Massachusetts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Handles all bankruptcy matters involving debt discharge, repayment plans, business reorganizations, and creditor claims. The court serves individuals, businesses, and municipalities across Massachusetts, including Middlesex County.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Middlesex County Courts

The following FAQs cover important topics about Middlesex County, MA, courts: