Massachusetts Court Types

Superior Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, but usually only handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Superior Courts generally handle criminal cases that are considered serious felonies or have a possible sentence of more than five years, although some jurisdiction is shared with other courts.

Superior Courts also handle most Abuse Prevention proceedings, except for cases that arise solely from a dating or engagement relationship.

Superior Courts generally handle civil cases that include general civil claims for money damages of more than $25,000. Some landlord-tenant cases are heard in District Courts and Boston Municipal Court without any financial limits on jurisdiction. The Supreme Judicial Court is authorized to change the financial thresholds for Superior Court jurisdiction, so the financial limits may vary.

Superior Courts also handle most cases that seek equitable relief, some cases involving real estate, most claims against the State, and certain claims made by the State.

Superior Courts share some jurisdiction with other courts, including jurisdiction over certain criminal, Abuse Prevention and real estate cases.

District Courts serve the entire State, with the exception of downtown Boston, which is served by the Boston Municipal Court. District Courts have limited jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

Criminal cases heard by District Courts include felony crimes punishable by up to five years of incarceration, other certain types of felonies and preliminary hearings for all types of felonies. District Courts also handle most misdemeanors and violations of city and town ordinances, including traffic offenses.

Civil cases heard by District Courts include general civil claims for less than $25,000. The Supreme Judicial Court has authority to change the financial limits on District Court jurisdiction, so the amount of the limit may vary. District Courts also handle landlord-tenant cases without any limitation on the amount in dispute.

District Courts also handle Abuse Prevention, mental health, enforcement of money judgments, some cases involving appeals from administrative agency decisions, and certain types of cases that seek equitable relief.

District Courts share some jurisdiction with other trial courts over certain types of cases, including paternity and support, evictions, certain criminal cases and certain juvenile cases.

Probate and Family Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases, including domestic relations, abuse prevention, probate matters, adoption, and guardianships.

Cases typically handled by Probate and Family Courts include divorce, affirmation or annulment of marriage, abuse prevention, child custody, paternity, child support, termination of parental rights, the probate of wills, administration of estates and name changes.

Probate and Family Courts share some jurisdiction with other trial courts for certain types of cases, including cases that are related to issues of paternity, child support, child custody and some probate matters.

Housing Courts have limited jurisdiction mostly related to the health and safety of residences, real property and goods and services connected to real property.

Housing Courts typically handle cases that arise from violations of state and local law, including building codes, sanitation codes, and other laws related to the health, welfare, and safety of occupants, owners and the general public.

Housing Courts share jurisdiction with other trial courts for criminal and civil cases in certain locations of the state, including the city of Boston. Other trial courts may transfer certain cases to Housing Courts.

Juvenile Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of cases, including juvenile delinquency, child protection, certain adult criminal cases involving minors, adoption, termination of parental rights and guardianship.

Juvenile Courts share some jurisdiction over certain types of cases with other trial courts.

Boston Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction that is similar to District Court jurisdiction, with some additional jurisdiction for certain types of cases.

Criminal cases heard by Boston Municipal Courts include felonies punishable by up to five years of incarceration, other certain types of felonies and preliminary hearings for all types of felony cases. Boston Municipal Courts handle most misdemeanor criminal cases and violations of city and town ordinances, including traffic offenses.

Civil cases heard by Boston Municipal Court include most general civil claims for less than $25,000. The Supreme Judicial Court is authorized to change the financial limits on Boston Municipal Court jurisdiction, so the amount of the limit may vary. Boston Municipal Courts also handle landlord-tenant cases without any limitation on the amount in dispute.

Boston Municipal Courts also handle Abuse Prevention, mental health cases, some cases involving appeals from administrative agency decisions, enforcement of money judgments and certain types of cases that seek equitable relief.

Boston Municipal Court shares some jurisdiction with other trial courts for certain types of cases, including paternity and support, evictions, certain criminal cases and certain juvenile cases.

Land Court handles cases for the entire state and operates out of one location in Boston, although trials may be conducted in other areas under some circumstances.

Land Court has limited jurisdiction related to real estate, but only handles specific types of real estate cases, including the confirmation of title to land and certain easements or other rights in land, most complaints affecting title to registered land, some foreclosure and redemption actions related to tax titles, certain civil actions of trespass to real estate, partition actions, and other specific types of cases.

Land Court shares jurisdiction over certain types of cases with other trial courts. Certain types of cases, including some that do not have a question about right, title or interest in land, may be transferred to another trial court department. The Land Court does not offer trials by jury, so cases where a jury trial is properly requested may be transferred to another trial court.