Massachusetts Trial Court: Court Officer Exam Information

State law requires the passing of this exam to be eligible to apply for Court Officer positions. Individuals who do not take and pass this exam will be ineligible for Court Officer positions until another Court Officer exam is offered. Registrants must pay a $100 exam fee to sit for the exam. Fee waivers and reasonable accommodations are available for eligible candidates.

Individuals who pass the Court Officer Exam will receive information about the next steps in the hiring process for Court Officer positions. However, passing the exam does not guarantee an interview. Candidates who apply for a Court Officer position after successfully completing the exam must also meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for appointment. Please note that, due to the expected high volume of qualified applicants, those selected for interviews typically exceed the minimum qualifications.

Please review the examples of essential duties and minimum requirements for this position before registering for the Court Officer Exam.

The court officer is responsible for maintaining order in and around court premises, protecting judges, jurors, witnesses, prisoners, court personnel, and the public who utilize Massachusetts Trial Court buildings and facilities. A Court Officer provides a visual security presence at court entrances/security screening stations and throughout the building; screens persons who wish to enter court buildings for weapons and other items of contraband; operates metal detectors and x-ray machines to perform the screening functions; monitors CCTV cameras to ensure safety of the public, court employees and prisoners; protects and safeguards courtrooms, grounds, buildings, employees, jurors, the public, and visitors on the courthouse premises.

The court officer is responsible for the care, custody, and control of all prisoners and persons taken into custody and held at a court facility. The court officer enforces all appropriate judicial orders and enforces all laws and ordinances as appropriate. The court officer is a member of an integrated statewide security team. The court officer works with fellow court officers, associate court officers, and the Security Department management team to identify and address all security concerns, including promptly dealing with disturbances, exercising arrest powers if warranted, responding to and managing medical emergencies, producing reports, and maintaining logs and records to ensure the safety and security of all Massachusetts Trial Court facilities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Provides safety and security to all persons that enter the courthouse and courthouse grounds.
• Performs safety security checks of the perimeter of the building, courtrooms and any other rooms used throughout the day.
• Exercises statutory arrest powers in or about the areas of the court or areas designated as the court.
• Escorts detainees to and from lockup courtroom and other designated areas as needed.
• Searches and processes detainees from various law enforcement agencies.
• Works with the different departments within the Trial Courts.
• May be assigned by the Security Department to perform court officer duties throughout the courthouse to include jury pool management.
• Patrols and maintains order on courthouse grounds to protect all employees and visitors.
• Works the screening station, x-ray and metal detectors at main entrance.
• Monitors CCTV cameras, DSX and Security Systems to ensure safety of the public, court employees, and prisoners.
• Prepares and submits incident reports, maintains security logs and performs equipment checks as directed.
• Responds to all medical, building emergencies and disturbances.
• Works inside a courtroom during trials, motions, arraignments, and pretrial activities.
• Attends all court officer training programs required by the Trial Court and must successfully pass all training requirements.
• Inputs weekly SSTA timesheet.
• Monitors department issued e-mails and announcements.
• Complies with and demonstrates an understanding of all Trial Court policies, Security Department policies and procedures, and all state and federal laws.
• Maintain Health and Wellness standard.
• Performs other duties as required.

Working Conditions

Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments, as well as outdoor environments. Work requires frequent exposure to individuals who are hostile or irate and individuals with known violent backgrounds.

Physical Demands

This position requires heavy work:

Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

For more information on the Security department and becoming a Trial Court Officer visit Trial Court Security Department.

In addition to passing the exam, individuals must apply to a Trial Court job posting at Jobs with the Court System when posted (after the exam) and meet the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for appointment as a Court Officer:

Education and Experience

• A High school diploma or an equivalent; an Associate’s degree or higher degree in criminal justice or a similar field of study is preferred;
• 2 years prior experience in security, law enforcement, corrections, loss prevention, emergency medical services, direct care social services, or military service;
• An Associate’s degree and one year of experience in criminal justice or a related field, may be substituted for the required experience;
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation may substitute for required work experience.

Physical Abilities Test (PAT): Candidates must demonstrate their ability to meet physical standards. Those who pass the written exam and meet the minimum requirements for the position may be invited to attend a Physical Abilities Test (PAT) session. Due to the expected high volume of applicants, not all candidates will be invited to the PAT simultaneously. Learn more about the PAT on Mass.gov.

Structured Oral Interview: Candidates must pass a Structured Oral Interview.

Psychological Assessment: Candidates may be asked to undergo a psychological assessment.

Consent to Criminal Record Check: Interviewed candidates selected for appointment will be required to complete the Consent to Criminal Record Check Form. Trial Court Policy (Section 4.100) may prohibit the employment of individuals with a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction resulting in incarceration if the end date of such incarceration is within the five-year period immediately preceding the date of application of employment. A Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check involving other offenses will not automatically disqualify the final candidate(s). Determinations of suitability based on CORI checks will be made consistent with this policy and any applicable law or regulations.

Medical: As a condition of employment, applicants for the Court Officer position must successfully pass a medical exam that includes a drug screening.

Background Investigation: Candidates will be subjected to a background investigation.

Federal I9 Form for Employment Eligibility: Pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, after an offer of employment is made, selected candidates for appointment are required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) and submit specific document(s) that establish identity and verify the right to work in the United States.

Massachusetts Residency Requirement: Pursuant to G.L. c. 478, sec. 328 of the Acts of 1978, no person who is not a resident of the Commonwealth shall serve as an officer in or an employee of the Judicial Branch; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to those persons serving as officers in or employees of the Judicial Branch prior to the effective date of c. 478, sec. 328.

Training: Candidates must satisfactorily complete the Court Officer Training Academy and are subject to a probationary period.

Registration is closed.

The Office of Court Management is overseeing the exam process for this position. For more details or any questions about the process, please contact:

Office of Court Management

Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., except holidays.

Email: exams@jud.state.ma.us

Telephone Number: 617-742-8575