The Supreme Judicial Court has ordered that Massachusetts courts will be closed to the public through at least April 6.
The only exception will be to conduct emergency hearings that cannot be resolved through a video conference or telephonic hearing, according to a Supreme Judicial Court press release. Individual clerks’ offices will be open to accept emergency pleadings, to address questions and to assist with video conference or telephonic hearings.
“We are in uncharted territory for state judicial systems, and we are working to continue to deliver justice to all individuals while striving to keep the public, court users and our employees safe,” said Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey. “In these unprecedented times, we intend to listen, learn and adjust as necessary to accomplish our objective to deliver justice and to keep all safe. I am extraordinarily proud of those who work in the Trial Court who have tirelessly done their jobs in the face of this pandemic.”
As directed in the order, each of the Trial Court departments has issued a new standing order to specify what constitutes an emergency matter, according to the release. Those standing orders are available online at mass.gov/guides/court-system-response-to-covid-19.
In addition, anyone with a previously scheduled hearing, whether emergency or non-emergency in nature, during the time of the court closure should contact the appropriate clerk’s, clerk magistrate’s, register’s or recorder’s office for instruction.
Contact numbers for local courts and offices are:
District Court: 413-774-5533
Housing Court: 413-748-7838
Juvenile Court: 413-775-0014
Probate and Family Court: 413-774-7011
Superior Court: 413-775-7400
District Court: 978-544-8277
Juvenile Court: 978-544-5125