Offenses within District Court Criminal Jurisdiction

The District Court has final jurisdiction over (i.e., jurisdiction to try and sentence for) the following offenses under Massachusetts General Law chapter (G.L. c.) 218, section 26 (as amended through Session Law (St.) 2010, chapter 74, section 1A, effective 7/11/2010).

Municipal ordinances

Violations of municipal bylaws, orders, ordinances, rules and regulations.

Misdemeanors

All misdemeanors except criminal libels.

5-year felonies

All felonies punishable by state prison for not more than 5 years.

Certain other felonies

The following felonies punishable by state prison for more than 5 years:

  • G.L. c.90, §24G(a) Felony vehicular homicide
  • G.L. c.90, §24L(1) Felony OUI-Motor Vehicle causing serious bodily injury
  • G.L. c.90B, §8(a)(1) Fourth-offense or Fifth-offense OUI-Boat
  • G.L. c.94C, §32(a) First-offense distribution or possession with intent to distribute Class A controlled substance
  • G.L. c.94C, §32A(a) First-offense distribution or possession with intent to distribute Class B controlled substance
  • G.L. c.94C, §32J Drug violation near school/park
  • G.L. c.127, § 38B Assault and battery on a correctional facility employee
  • G.L. c.140, §131E Purchase firearm for another’s unlawful use or for an unlicensed person
  • G.L. c.265, §13B Indecent assault and battery on a child under 14
  • G.L. c.265, §13K(c) Assault and battery on person 60 or older or disabled person with serious injury
  • G.L. c.265, §13K(e) Caretaker permit serious injury to person 60 or older or disabled person
  • G.L. c.265, §15A(a) Assault and battery on person 60 or older with dangerous weapon
  • G.L. c.265, §15A(b) Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
  • G.L. c.265, §21A Armed carjacking; carjacking
  • G.L. c.266, §16 Breaking and entering in the nighttime for felony; breaking into depository
  • G.L. c.266, §17 Entering in the nighttime for felony and putting in fear, armed or not; breaking and entering in the daytime for felony and putting in fear, armed or not
  • G.L. c.266, §18 Breaking and entering in the daytime for felony, armed or not; entering dwelling in the nighttime for felony, armed or not
  • G.L. c.266, §19 Breaking and entering a railroad car for felony; entering a railroad car in the nighttime for felony
  • G.L. c.266, §28(a) Larceny of motor vehicle or trailer; malicious damage to a motor vehicle; receiving, concealing or controlling a stolen motor vehicle or trailer; taking and stealing parts from a motor vehicle
  • G.L. c.266, §28(b) Concealing a motor vehicle thief
  • G.L. c.266, §30(5) Larceny over $250 from a person over 60 or disabled person
  • G.L. c.266, §49 Making or possessing a burglarious instrument or auto master key
  • G.L. c.266, §127 Malicious destruction of personal property over $250
  • G.L. c.267, §§ 1, 5 Forgery or uttering of forged promissory note or order for money or property
  • G.L. c.268, §13B Intimidation of a witness or juror
  • G.L. c.268, §16 Escape or attempted escape from penal institution
  • G.L. c.273, §§ 1(2) or 15 & 15A(2) Leave Commonwealth without supporting spouse or child
  • G.L. c.273, §§ 1(3) or 15 & 15A(2) Enter Commonwealth without supporting spouse or child

Referred by SJC

Proceedings referred to the District Court by an SJC justice pursuant to G.L. c. 211, § 4A.

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