Boston’s courthouses are spread across three addresses that handle very different work. State cases go to the Suffolk County Courthouse at 3 Pemberton Square or the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street, both downtown near Government Center. Federal cases go to the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse at 1 Courthouse Way, on the Seaport waterfront. Showing up at the wrong one can cost you a morning, so the first thing to sort out is which court your case belongs in.
Which Building for Which Case
State and federal courts are separate systems. Most disputes in Boston are state matters.
Suffolk County Superior Court hears felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits where the plaintiff expects to recover more than $50,000, and labor injunctions.1General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 212 Section 3 – Exclusive Original Jurisdiction Boston Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases at or below $50,000, and initial eviction proceedings.2General Court of Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 218 Section 19 Landlord-tenant disputes and housing code cases go to the Housing Court. Divorce, custody, child support, wills, estates, and guardianships go to the Probate and Family Court.
Federal court is a narrower door: federal criminal prosecutions, lawsuits between citizens of different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, bankruptcy, patent disputes, and other claims arising under federal law.3United States Department of Justice. Introduction to the Federal Court System If your case involves only state law and everyone lives in Massachusetts, you almost certainly belong in state court.
The State Courthouses Downtown
The two state buildings sit about a five-minute walk apart. Which one you need depends on the type of case, not the county.
Suffolk County Courthouse, 3 Pemberton Square
This is the home of Suffolk County Superior Court. The civil and criminal clerk’s offices are both inside. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Civil Clerk’s Office can be reached at (617) 788-8175.4Mass.gov. Suffolk County Superior Court
Edward W. Brooke Courthouse, 24 New Chardon Street
Three courts share this building. The Central Division of Boston Municipal Court sits here for misdemeanors and lower-value civil cases.5Mass.gov. Central Division, Boston Municipal Court So does the Suffolk Probate and Family Court for divorce, custody, and estate matters.6Mass.gov. Suffolk Probate and Family Court Virtual Registry The Eastern Housing Court’s Boston session, which handles landlord-tenant disputes and housing code violations, also operates from this address.7Mass.gov. Eastern Housing Court – Boston Session All three follow the 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekday schedule.
Moakley Federal Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way
Federal business in Boston runs through the Moakley courthouse in the Seaport District.8U.S. Marshals Service. District of Massachusetts – Courthouse Locations The building houses both the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, which is the federal trial court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.9United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Court Location
The building is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.8U.S. Marshals Service. District of Massachusetts – Courthouse Locations The District Court Clerk’s Office is at (617) 748-9152.10U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Divisional Offices Some civil and bankruptcy proceedings offer remote public audio access at the judge’s discretion; criminal proceedings are generally not available remotely.11United States Courts. Remote Public Access to Proceedings
Getting There
None of the three buildings offers public parking. Circling downtown for a spot near Government Center is not a plan.
The two state courthouses are a short walk from the MBTA’s Government Center station on the Green and Blue Lines, and from Park Street on the Red and Green Lines. The Moakley courthouse is served by the Silver Line at Courthouse Station. Private garages exist in both areas, but daily rates in downtown Boston are steep. Budget accordingly if driving is unavoidable.
Security and ID at the Door
Every courthouse in Boston has a security checkpoint. You walk through a metal detector and put bags on an X-ray belt.12United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Courthouse Visitors Policy There are no shortcuts for the general public.
Federal courthouses require a government-issued photo ID for entry. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport will do.12United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Courthouse Visitors Policy The Massachusetts state courts do not have a blanket ID requirement, but carrying photo ID is a good idea. Weapons and anything that could be used as one are prohibited. Leave pocket knives, scissors, and similar items at home or in the car.
If you have a pacemaker or cochlear implant, you can ask to be screened with a handheld wand instead of the walk-through detector. Tell the officers before you step up.
Phones, Laptops, and Cameras
This is where state and federal rules split, and it’s the thing most likely to derail your morning.
Massachusetts state trial courts let you bring your phone and other personal electronic devices into the building, and you can use them in hallways and lobbies. Inside a courtroom, phones must be silenced and stowed. No texting, scrolling, or recording once court is in session.13Mass.gov. Trial Court Policy on Possession and Use of Cameras and Personal Electronic Devices
The Moakley courthouse is far stricter. Members of the general public cannot bring electronic devices into the building at all. No cell phones, no laptops, no tablets, no cameras. You will check them at the security desk in the lobby.12United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Courthouse Visitors Policy Attorneys and court staff operate under different rules and typically have broader device access.14United States Courts. Portable Communication Devices in Courthouses If you’re representing yourself and need a laptop for your case materials, call the Clerk’s Office at (617) 748-9152 in advance to ask about an exception.
What to Wear
Courtrooms are formal. You will not be turned away from the building for casual clothes, but a judge can remove you from the courtroom for inappropriate attire. Skip shorts, flip-flops, hats, clothing with offensive language or images, and anything that exposes your midriff or underwear.15Mass.gov. What to Expect at Your Arraignment or First Court Appearance Business casual is a safe default. A suit isn’t required, but looking put-together signals that you take the proceeding seriously.
Interpreters and ADA Accommodations
If you or a witness speaks limited English, both court systems provide an interpreter at no cost. In state court, call the Clerk’s Office at the court where your case is scheduled and request one as far in advance as possible. The court pays. In federal court, the right to a certified interpreter is set by statute whenever a party or witness primarily speaks a language other than English, or has a hearing impairment that affects understanding the proceedings or communicating with counsel.16Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 1827 – Interpreters in Courts of the United States Contact the Clerk’s Office before your hearing to arrange it.
All three buildings are required to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Assistive listening devices, accessible seating, and sign language interpretation are available if you request them in advance. In state courts, the ADA Assistance Coordinator is reachable through the Clerk’s Office or Register’s Office at the courthouse where your case is scheduled.
Service animals are permitted. Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability; emotional support animals don’t qualify. Staff may ask whether the dog is a service animal required because of a disability and what task it is trained to perform, but cannot ask about your disability or demand documentation.17ADA.gov. ADA Requirements: Service Animals
Reporting for Jury Duty
If you were summoned, the building depends on the system. State jurors report to the courthouse listed on the summons, typically 3 Pemberton Square or 24 New Chardon Street. Federal jurors report to the Moakley Courthouse at 1 Courthouse Way. Federal jurors are paid $50 per day, rising to $60 per day after ten days of service, and travel and parking are reimbursed. If service would create genuine hardship, contact the clerk’s office listed on your summons promptly to request an excuse or deferral. Not showing up can result in contempt penalties.