A Juvenile Court judge is required to appoint a court investigator to "investigate the conditions affecting the child and make a report to the court under oath" in a care and protection proceeding. See G.L. c. 119, § 24. The investigator's report, which is limited to factual information collected from identified sources, such as the parents, the child, other family members, etc., as a result of the investigation, is an important source of information for a Juvenile Court judge when undertaking the challenging task of deciding the outcome of a care and protection proceeding.
Please see below for information on how to apply to be eligible to receive appointments as a court investigator in the Juvenile Court, and the guidelines for court investigators.
Apply to be a court investigator
Beginning on October 14, 2024, individuals applying to be a court investigator or guardian ad litem must apply directly to the county or counties where they would like to receive appointments.
Please submit the following documents via email to the email address designated for the county you are applying to. If you are applying to more than one county, you must submit the application and all required documents to each county.
Required documents for application for court investigator or guardian ad litem
- A letter of interest addressing your qualifications
- Application for Appointment
- Current resume, listing relevant educational training or classes
- Writing sample, preferably in a legal memorandum or legal motion format for attorneys or report format for non-attorneys
- Two references from persons knowledgeable regarding the applicant’s qualifications
County Emails
Barnstable County/Town of Plymouth Juvenile Court
Barncojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Berkshire County Juvenile Court
Berkcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Bristol County Juvenile Court
Bristolcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Essex County Juvenile Court
Essexcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Franklin/Hampshire Counties Juvenile Court
Frankhampcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Hampden County Juvenile Court
Hampdencojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Middlesex County Juvenile Court
Middcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Norfolk County Juvenile Court
Norfolkcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Plymouth County Juvenile Court
Plymouthcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Suffolk County Juvenile Court
Suffolkcojuv.feegen@jud.state.ma.us
Worcester County Juvenile Court
Certificate of Services /Itemization of Services
Court Investigator’s Certificate of Services/Itemization of Services (JV-192) The Court Investigator’s Certificate of Services/Itemization of Services form (JV-192) dated 12/01/2022 is to be used for services provided as of 7/1/2022 at the rate of $50 per hour. This form replaces form (JV-164) dated 10/01/2018. Please download the form and open it using Acrobat reader.