Press Release  Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey Reappoints Honorable Amy L. Nechtem Chief Justice of the Juvenile Court

BOSTON, MA — Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey today announced the reappointment of the Honorable Amy L. Nechtem as Chief Justice of the Juvenile Court for a five-year term effective July 29, 2019, in accordance with G.L. c.211B, §5. Chief Justice Nechtem has served on the Juvenile Court since 2001, and as Chief Justice of the department since her initial appointment in on July 30, 2014.

"I am pleased to announce the reappointment of Chief Justice Amy Nechtem to continue her leadership of the Massachusetts Juvenile Court,” said Chief Justice Carey. “She has worked with tremendous effort to reshape the manner in which child welfare matters are handled in the Juvenile Court to guide children to timely permanent outcomes. Chief Justice Nechtem has worked closely with justice partners to implement the Criminal Justice reform bill and is dedicated to continuing her efforts to increase positive outcomes for youth involved in the Juvenile Justice system.”

“I am honored to be reappointed to the position of Chief Justice of the Juvenile Court Department," said Chief Justice Necthem. "I am grateful to Chief Justice Carey for the opportunity to serve our community along with my esteemed colleagues of the Juvenile Court Department. I will strive to continue to lead the Juvenile Court with integrity, passion and with a focus towards fair and equitable outcomes for the children and families we serve in this Commonwealth."

Chief Justice Nechtem has reappointed Thomas Capasso as the Deputy Court Administrator for the Juvenile Court. Chief Justice Nechtem served as Associate Justice of the Essex County Juvenile Court prior to being named chief justice and prior to her appointment to the bench served as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County where she handled child abuse cases.  A resident of Swampscott, she received her law degree from Suffolk University Law School and her undergraduate degree from Simmons College.

The Juvenile Court Department is comprised of eleven divisions with 42 authorized statewide judicial positions. The Massachusetts Trial Court includes seven court departments with 385 judges who deliver justice in 99 courthouses across the state.

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