For immediate release:
12/31/2021
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- Appeals Court
- Executive Office of the Trial Court
- Superior Court
- District Court
- Boston Municipal Court
- Juvenile Court
- Probate and Family Court
- Housing Court
- Land Court
- Massachusetts Court System
Media Contact for Supreme Judicial Court Issues New Order Pausing Jury Trials
Jennifer Donahue and Erika Gully-Santiago
BOSTON, MA — In response to the current situation in the Commonwealth with respect to COVID-19, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) today issued an order pausing all jury trials in Massachusetts state courthouses until January 31, 2022. All courts otherwise will remain open for in-person business, with a continued emphasis on conducting matters remotely whenever possible.
Today’s order partially amends the existing order regarding court operations during the pandemic, which was issued by the SJC on July 1, 2021 and became effective July 12, 2021.
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Media Contact for Supreme Judicial Court Issues New Order Pausing Jury Trials
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
The Supreme Judicial Court is the Commonwealth's highest appellate court.
Appeals Court
The Appeals Court is the Commonwealth's intermediate appellate court.
Executive Office of the Trial Court
The Executive Office of the Trial Court facilitates communication and enables joint leadership of the Trial Court by the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and the Court Administrator.
Superior Court
The Superior Court Department is a statewide court that handles criminal and civil actions.
District Court
The District Court Department hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases.
Boston Municipal Court
The Boston Municipal Court Department serves the City of Boston, and handles both criminal and civil matters.
Juvenile Court
The Juvenile Court Department oversees civil and criminal matters statewide involving children including youthful offender, care and protection, and delinquency cases.
Probate and Family Court
The Probate and Family Court Department handles court matters that involve families and children, like divorce, child support, and wills.
Housing Court
To speak virtually with a member of a Housing Court division’s Clerk’s Office or Housing Specialist Department, click on the “Virtual Front Counters” link, available on each division’s location page and our ‘Housing Court Resources’ page. For information and resources that may benefit both landlords and tenants, such as Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance, Lawyer for the Day Program, and other resources, please see the ‘Housing Court Resources’ page, linked below.
Land Court
The Land Court hears a wide range of cases involving real estate and land use, and oversees the Commonwealth’s system for the registration of title to real property.
Massachusetts Court System
The Massachusetts court system consists of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court, the Executive Office of the Trial Court, the 7 Trial Court departments, the Massachusetts Probation Service, and the Office of Jury Commissioner.