Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan today announced that the Eastern Hampshire District Court, currently located in Hadley, will move to a new court facility at 205 State Street (Route 202) in Belchertown, beginning on Friday, January 4, 2008. The Eastern Hampshire District Court will be open for business on Monday, January 7, 2008.

          The 26,000 square-foot, single-story building, which the Trial Court has leased for ten years, contains two courtrooms and a hearing room with digital recording technology, records storage space, separate holding cells for men, women, and juveniles, modern security and HVAC systems, and ample parking space for the public. The courthouse also will provide office space for the Franklin/Hampshire Juvenile. Court and the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.

          As previously announced, the Franklin/Hampshire Division of the Juvenile Court will move in early 2008 to the courthouse currently occupied by the Eastern Hampshire District Court in Hadley, which will provide a modern working environment and better facilities for the Juvenile Court and those who access it.

          The new mailing address for the Eastern Hampshire District Court is 205 State Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. The main telephone number there is 413-323-4056. The fax number for the Clerk-Magistrate is 413-323-6803 and the fax number for the Probation Department is 413-323-6791.

          The District Court Department is composed of 62 Divisions with 158 judges across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 378 judges who deliver justice in 106 courthouses across the state. Comprehensive management reform is underway throughout the Trial Court to increase efficiency, accountability and transparency, as it serves thousands of citizens daily.