Guidance and information to help you understand more about the criminal court process.
- This page, Understanding the Criminal Court Process, is offered by
- District Court
- Boston Municipal Court
- Superior Court
- Massachusetts Court System
Handbook Understanding the Criminal Court Process
| Organization: | District Court Boston Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Date published: |
April 5, 2018
|
Overview
Massachusetts courts resolve more than 235,000 criminal cases each year. The fact that a person is charged with an offense doesn't necessarily mean that they committed the crime. Guilt must be determined by a judge or jury. The most serious cases, the ones that often result in a prison sentence of more than 2.5 years, are usually heard in Superior Court, and the less serious cases are usually heard in District Court.