Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan today announced that the Franklin Hampshire Division of the Juvenile Court will move to the Hadley courthouse currently occupied by the Eastern Hampshire Division of the District Court. The five-year-old building on Russell Street in Hadley will provide a modern working environment and better facilities for the Juvenile Court and those who access it, once the District Court moves to a new court building in Belchertown in early 2008.

           The benefits of the Hadley courthouse include the availability of space for jury deliberations, conferences between attorneys and clients, and additional record storage. In addition, the Juvenile Court Clerk Magistrate’s Office and the Probation Department will have separate working areas. The building is handicapped accessible and also provides a secure sallyport and holding cells.

          “This site has the overwhelming support of the Juvenile Court employees and the bar,” said Chief Justice Mulligan.

           “We are very excited to move into a state-of-the-art facility,” said Juvenile Court Clerk-Magistrate Christopher D. Reavey. “The public, lawyers and staff all will benefit from the additional space. The families, social workers, probation officers, and clinicians who participate in these cases now will have appropriate space to conference the complex and emotional issues that come before the court.”

          The Juvenile Court Department is comprised of 11 Divisions with 41 judges across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 378 judges who deliver justice in 110 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.