Boston Courthouses

Suffolk County Superior Court

Note: Also known as the “John Adams Courthouse,” this building houses the highest trial state-level courts in Boston, the Superior Court, along with the Land Court, Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. The Court Café is small and cash-only, but there are thankfully other food options.

Superior Court Department

(617) 788-8130 (civil cases)

(617) 788-8160 (criminal cases)

On the civil side, the Superior Court has jurisdiction in civil actions over $25,000, when injunctive relief is sought and in actions involving labor disputes. On the criminal side, it has jurisdiction over all felony matters, including exclusive original jurisdiction in first degree murder cases.

Land Court Department

(617) 788-7470

Note: The Land Court Department has jurisdiction over the registration of title to real property and over all matters and disputes concerning such title after registration.

Massachusetts Appeals Court

(617) 725-8106

Note: The Appeals Court reviews decisions made by lower courts. The Appeals Court has twenty-five justices who review cases in rotating panels of three.

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts

(617) 557-1000

Note: The Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in the state and generally gets the final word in all state legal matters. 

Suffolk Probate and Family Court (Edward W. Brooke Courthouse)

(617) 788-8600 (Criminal Cases)
(617) 788-8400 (Civil Cases)
(617) 788-8411 (Small Claims)
(617) 788-8571 (Juvenile)

Note: The Edward W. Brooke Courthouse is the primary building for the Boston Municipal Court system. The cases handled here are typically criminal misdemeanors, small claims court and relatively small civil lawsuits here.  Parking is conveniently located right across the street from the courthouse, but it is absurdly expensive. There is a small food stand but no cafeteria, so you should consider bringing a sack lunch. Also, bring a sweater in the winter because the building gets cold! The courthouse also contains three specialized departments: the Boston Housing Court Department; the Juvenile Court Department of Suffolk County; and the Probate and Family Court.

Brighton Division, Boston Municipal Court Department

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the towns of Allston and Brighton.

Charlestown Division, Boston Municipal Court Department

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the town of Charleston.

Dorchester Division, Boston Municipal Court Department

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the town of Dorchester.

East Boston Division, Boston Municipal Court Department

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the towns of East Boston and Winthrop.

Roxbury Division, Boston Municipal Court Department

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the town of Roxbury.

South Boston Division, Boston Municipal Court Department

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the town of South Boston.

West Roxbury Division, Boston Municipal Court Department

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the towns of West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Roslindale, parts of Mission Hill and the Mattapan Sections of Boston.

Chelsea District Court

Note: This municipal court has jurisdiction over the town of Chelsea.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse)

U.S. District Court for District of Massachusetts (John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse)

Note: The John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse hosts both the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The building’s architecture is a gorgeous embodiment of justice and civic virtue, and it is located on possibly the best chunk of waterfront real estate in the entire Boston metropolitan area. Oddly enough, Sebastian's Café is quite delicious and affordable compared to other court cafés (try their Buffalo Chicken Wrap on Wednesdays).  

U.S. Bankruptcy Court (John W. McCormack Post Office and Court House)

Boston Immigration Court (John F. Kennedy Federal Building)