Plymouth County Courts – Plymouth County District Attorney's Office

opens in a new windowSuperior Court

There are two Superior Courts in Plymouth County which hear criminal cases. They are located in Brockton and Plymouth.

A case begins in the Superior Court after a Grand Jury returns an indictment charging a defendant with a crime. The District Attorney´s Office prosecutes almost all of the cases which are brought in the Superior Court. Trials in the Superior Court can be before a judge or a twelve person jury. A defendant is entitled to a jury trial but can decide to waive the jury and have a judge decide the case. The only exception is first degree murder cases which must be tried by a jury. After a conviction a Superior Court Judge can sentence a defendant to State Prison or the House of Correction for any period of time up to life, depending on the crime for which the defendant is convicted.

Brockton Superior Court

72 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA 02301
Telephone: 508-584-8120
Fax: 508-586-3578

Plymouth Superior Court

located inside the Plymouth Trial Court
52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360
Telephone: 508-322-4500
Fax: 508-322-4555

Grand Jury

A Grand Jury hears evidence and votes on whether there is probable cause to return an indictment charging a defendant with a crime in the Superior Court. A Grand Jury is made up of twenty-three citizens who are chosen at random to serve on the jury. Proceedings before a Grand Jury are secret.

Directionsopens in a new window

72 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA 02301
Telephone: 508-584-8120
Fax: 508-586-3578

District Court

There are four District Courts in Plymouth County. They are located in Brockton, Hingham, Plymouth, and Wareham. A case begins in the District Court when a criminal complaint is issued by the Clerk Magistrate. The District Attorney´s Office prosecutes most of the cases that are brought in the District Court. Trials in the District court can be before a judge or a six person jury. A defendant is entitled to a jury trial but can decide to waive the jury and have a judge decide the case. After a conviction, a District Court judge can sentence up to two and one half years in the House of Correction on any single offense.

Brockton Trial Courtopens in a new window

215 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301
Telephone: 508-587-8000
Fax: 508-583-3118

JURISDICTION:
Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater and Whitman

Hingham District Courtopens in a new window

28 George Washington Blvd, Hingham, MA 02043
Telephone: 781-749-8580
Fax: 781-749-9601

JURISDICTION:
Hanover, Hingham, Hull, Norwell, Rockland and Scituate

Plymouth Trial Courtopens in a new window

52 Obery Street, Plymouth, MA 02360
Telephone: 508-322-4500
Fax: 508-322-4555

JURISDICTION:
Duxbury, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Marshfield, Pembroke, Plymouth and Plympton

Wareham District Courtopens in a new window

2200 Cranberry Highway, West Wareham, MA 02576
Telephone: 508-295-5200
Fax: 508-295-3198

JURISDICTION:
Carver, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleboro, Rochester and Wareham

Juvenile Court

The District Attorney appears on behalf of the Commonwealth in juvenile proceedings involving a child between the ages of seven and seventeen who has been accused of a violation of law. All juvenile matters are heard before the Juvenile Court, except cases involving a juvenile between the ages of fourteen and seventeen charged with murder which are heard in the Superior Court.
All juvenile court proceedings are closed to the public.

Youthful Offenders

Youthful Offender cases involve a juvenile between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, who is charged by way of an indictment with a felony, and:

(1) has previously been committed to the department of youth services, or
(2) has committed an offense which involves the infliction or threat of serious bodily harm,or
(3) has committed an enumerated firearms offense

Youthful Offender cases are heard in the Juvenile Court, but the proceedings are open to the public.

Directionsopens in a new window

located inside the Brockton District Court
215 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301
Telephone: 508-587-8000
Fax: 508-583-3118