Juvenile Court Rules  Juvenile Court Standing Order 1-25: Juvenile court operations

This Standing Order sets forth how proceedings in the Juvenile Court shall be heard. 

The term "hybrid" as appearing in this Standing Order shall refer to conducting the hearing with some parties, counsel and witnesses appearing in-person and others appearing virtually. 

The term "in person" as appearing in this Standing Order shall refer to conducting the hearing with all parties, counsel and witnesses present before the judge in a courtroom. 

The terms "virtual" or "virtually" as appearing in this Standing Order shall refer to the resolution of a matter through the use of telephone, videoconference, email, electronic filings and/or other comparable means with all parties, counsel and witnesses appearing before the judge through 
such means.

All Juvenile Court locations shall be open to the public for all purposes as outlined in the orders of the Supreme Judicial Court, Executive Office of the Trial Court, and this Standing Order and will continue to operate with regard for the health and safety of court users and personnel, in accordance with any orders, protocols and occupancy limits established by the Supreme Judicial Court, Executive Office of the Trial Court, and the provisions of this Standing Order. 

Upon the effective date of this Standing Order, the following hearings shall be held in person.

A. Care and Protection Matters

1. Temporary Custody Hearing/72 Hour Hearing (G.L. 119, § 24), unless the parent/guardian/custodian is waiving the hearing
2. Hearing on the Merits/Best Interest/Termination of Parental Rights, unless the parent/guardian/custodian is waiving the hearing
3. Trial Readiness Conference
4. Do Not Resuscitate/Withdrawing Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment (G.L. c. 119, § 38A)

B. Delinquency/Youthful Offender Proceedings

1. Arraignments
2. Bail Hearings
3. Dangerousness Hearings (G.L. c. 276, § 58A)
4. Motions to Suppress
5. Competency Hearings - if testimonial evidence will be presented.
6. Tender of Plea/Admissions
7. Bench Trial
8. Jury Trial
9. Probation Detention Hearings/Violation of Probation Hearings

C. Guardianships

1. Hearing on Motion for Temporary Guardian
2. Hearing on the Merits/Hearing Appointing Permanent Guardian
3. Hearing on Motion to Revoke Guardianship or Resignation of Guardian

D. Substance and/or Alcohol Use Disorder Petitions (G.L. c. 123, § 35)

1. All hearings

E. Mental Health Petitions (G.L. c. 123, §§ 7, 8)

1. All hearings

F. Harassment Prevention Orders (G.L. c. 258E)

1. All hearings

G. Child Requiring Assistance Proceedings

1. Preliminary Hearings
2. Any hearing where temporary custody of the child may be transferred to the Department of Children and Families
3. Any hearing where the child is in the custody of the Department of Children and Families and placed outside of the home

Upon the effective date of this Standing Order, the following hearings shall be held virtually.

A hearing required to be held virtually by this Standing Order may be held in person in a specific case in the discretion of the presiding judge.

A. Care and Protection Matters

1. Identification of Subject Children in Care and Protection Matters

B. Child Requiring Assistance (CRA)

1. Conference

Upon the effective date of this Standing Order, the following hearings may be heard in person or virtually in a specific case in the discretion of the presiding judge.

A. Care and Protection Proceedings

1. Motion/Status Hearings
2. Pre-Trial Conference Hearings
3. Orders for Anti-Psychotic Medication and Extraordinary Medical Treatment
4. Permanency Hearings

B. Adoptions

1. All hearings

C. Child Requiring Assistance (CRA)

1. Fact Finding Hearing, for any case where the child is not in DCF custody and placed outside the home
2. Disposition Hearing for any case where the child is not in DCF custody and placed outside the home
3. Disposition Review Hearing for any case where the child is not in DCF custody and placed outside the home

D. Delinquency/Youthful Offender Proceedings

1. Pre-Trial Conference/Compliance and Election
2. Reports/Status Hearings
3. Trial Readiness Conference

A. Other Case Types/Hearings

Any case type and/or event not specifically named in Sections III, IV, or V of this Standing Order may be heard in a manner as determined by the presiding judge assigned to the case. The presiding judge shall ensure that all parties and attorneys involved in the case are notified of whether the case will be heard in person, virtually or as a hybrid.

B. Hybrid Hearings

Except as otherwise prohibited by Juvenile Court Rule, any hearing designated as in person, virtual or both in Sections III, IV or V of this Standing Order may be heard as a hybrid proceeding where one or more of the parties, counsel and witnesses appear virtually for in-person hearings under Sections III or V, or in person for virtual hearings under Sections IV or V.

Jury trials in delinquency and youthful offender proceedings shall not be heard as a hybrid hearing.

The determination to hold a hybrid hearing shall be made by the presiding judge based upon the circumstances of the case, the resources of the court and the availability and needs of the parties, counsel, and witnesses.

A. Recording and Docketing of Virtual Hearings. 

All virtual hearings shall be held in a courtroom or other location that can be recorded by FTR. Clerk-Magistrates shall docket all cases in MassCourts consistent with normal procedures.

B. Court Investigators and Guardians Ad Litem. 

Any court investigator appointed to a care and protection matter shall conduct the investigation as required by G.L. c. 119, §§ 21A, and 24. Court investigators may conduct in-person or virtual interviews, in their discretion unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, though the recommended best practice is for in-person interviews whenever possible. Court investigators shall email the report to the appropriate court location or file the report in person at the clerk's office. Court Investigators shall also ensure a copy of the filed report is provided to all counsel of record and any pro se party, which service may be made electronically.

Any guardian ad litem appointed shall conduct their work as outlined by the scope of their appointment. Guardians ad litem may conduct in-person or virtual interviews unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, in their discretion, though the recommended best practice is for in-person interviews whenever possible.

C. Filings Accepted by Email. 

All emailed filings shall be filed in accordance with the Juvenile Court Rules on the Care and Protection of Children, but in no event less than 24 hours prior to the next scheduled hearing date. Any filings emailed less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing shall not be accepted unless the Clerk-Magistrate, in their discretion, determines that the filer has good cause for the late filing.