Understanding the Criminal Court Process

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The criminal court process

Explains the criminal court process from before your arraignment through the pre-trial, trial, and verdict process.

Before your arraignment  What to expect at your arraignment or first court appearance  Your arraignment or first appearance in court  Consequences & processes after your arraignment or first court appearance  The pre-trial, trial, and verdict process 

Additional information about criminal proceedings

How to file a criminal complaint  Criminal proceedings in the Housing Court  Court forms for criminal matters 

District Court criminal procedure resources

District court complaint manual  Criminal model jury instructions for use in the District Court 

Open PDF file, 310.19 KB, for District Court Standards of Judicial Practice: The Complaint Procedure (PDF 310.19 KB)

Open PDF file, 9.04 KB, for Offenses Within District Court Criminal Jurisdiction (PDF 9.04 KB)

Rules of criminal procedure

Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure  Massachusetts District/Municipal Courts Rules of Criminal Procedure  Massachusetts District/Municipal Courts Supplemental Rules of Criminal Procedure