Boston Municipal Court

Brooke courthouse, New Chardon Street, Boston

The Boston Municipal Court handles matters of limited criminal jurisdiction which do not require the imposition of a state prison sentence. If a prison sentence is mandated, the Court may conduct probable cause hearings to determine whether offenses will be bound over to the Massachusetts Superior Court. The Court has original jurisdiction over a number of serious felonies, concurrent with the Massachusetts Superior Court.

Civil jurisdiction

The Court's civil jurisdiction includes contract and tort actions; cases remanded from the Massachusetts Superior Court; small claims; small claims jury appeals; mental health commitments; summary process (evictions); supplementary proceedings; unemployment compensation appeals; paternity and support actions; and domestic violence actions.

Other jurisdiction

The Court also has jurisdiction for review of findings of the Massachusetts State Police Trial Board and equitable jurisdiction in lead poisoning prevention; landlord interference with quiet enjoyment or failure to provide utilities; family abuse prevention; sanitary code; and residential nuisances.

The jurisdiction for the court is within Suffolk County, Massachusetts and most business is conducted in the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse.^[1]

References

1. ^ "The Massachusetts Court System". http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/bmcmain.html. Retrieved 2011-02-02.