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, continuing legal education training for current court investigators, guidelines for court investigators, and the Uniform Practice and Procedure for the Appointment of Court Investigators.
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.
- Court Investigator's Certificate of Services/Itemization of Services (JV-164) The Court Investigator’s Certificate of Services/Itemization of Services form (JV-164) dated 10/01/2018 should only be used for services provided prior to 7/1/2022 at the rate of $40 per hour. Please download the form and open it using Acrobat reader.