Boston Municipal Courts, Massachusetts
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The Boston Municipal Courts resides in Massachusetts. Click on the links below to learn more about the court's...
Jurisdiction
This court holds the following jurisdiction:[1]
| “ | Case Types
The types of criminal cases that may be filed in the BMC include most felonies and misdemeanors that don’t require a state prison sentence, as well as felonies punishable by a sentence of up to 5 years. The types of civil cases that may be filed in the BMC include:
The BMC also has jurisdiction to review some government agency actions, such as unemployment compensation appeals and firearms license appeals. Territorial jurisdiction (judicial districts) The BMC is made up of 8 court divisions that cover the following locations/communities:
A civil lawsuit (as opposed to a criminal case) can be filed or started in court by a person, an organization (such as a company), or a government agency, against another person, organization or government agency. The word “person” used in this topic includes all these other possibilities. When a plaintiff (the person who is suing) files a civil lawsuit seeking money damages against a defendant (the person being sued), it’s necessary that the court have personal jurisdiction (authority) over the defendant. Generally, any person who lives in Massachusetts, or any organization that’s established under Massachusetts laws or that maintains a primary place of business in Massachusetts, may be sued in Massachusetts. See M.G.L. c. 223A, § 2. In certain circumstances, the court divisions of the BMC may also have personal jurisdiction over a defendant who lives or works outside of the state, as set forth in the long arm statute (M.G.L. c. 223A, §§ 1 through 11.) In addition to ensuring personal jurisdiction over the defendant, it’s also important for a plaintiff to consider which local court is the proper venue (location). In general, a civil lawsuit seeking money damages may be filed in the local court that covers the specific location/community where any party (plaintiff or defendant) lives or has a usual place of business, as well as in a court in an adjacent judicial district. See M.G.L. c. 223A, § 2 . In addition, a separate law provides that a civil lawsuit seeking money damages may be filed in the Central Division of the BMC if one or more of the defendants lives or has a usual place of business in Suffolk County, excluding Chelsea and Revere. See M.G.L. c. 218, § 54.[2] |
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Selection method
Judges of the Boston municipal courts are appointed by the governor with help from a nominating commission and confirmed by the Governor's Council. They serve until age 70.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on any of the limited jurisdiction courts, a judge must:[3]
- be a U.S. citizen;
- be a state resident;
- be a state bar member in good standing;
- have at least 10 years of legal experience and training.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Mass.gov, "Jurisdiction of the Boston Municipal Court," accessed May 18, 2023
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Massachusetts; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," archived October 2, 2014
Federal courts:
First Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Massachusetts • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Massachusetts
State courts:
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court • Massachusetts Appeals Court • Massachusetts Superior Courts • Massachusetts District Courts • Massachusetts Housing Courts • Massachusetts Juvenile Courts • Massachusetts Land Courts • Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts • Boston Municipal Courts, Massachusetts
State resources:
Courts in Massachusetts • Massachusetts judicial elections • Judicial selection in Massachusetts
