Beacon Hill Neighborhood, Boston, Massachusetts Crime Index
Although the city of Boston in Suffolk County, generally records higher crime rates compared to other cities in Massachusetts, Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood may be considerably safer than other notoriously unsafe neighborhoods in the city. However, it is one of the affluent neighborhoods and may record higher incidents of property crimes than violent crimes. The chance of being a victim of a property crime in the Beacon Hill-Back-bay neighborhoods is 1 in 29, and 1 in 171 chances of being a victim of a violent crime.
Boston Municipal Court - Central Division
The Boston Municipal Court has jurisdiction over crimes not requiring incarceration in state prison, crimes punishable by up to 5-year jail term, and misdemeanor offenses originating in Beacon Hill.
The court also adjudicates over Beacon Hill civil cases including
- Contract and tort claims not exceeding $50,000
- Small claims of $7,000 or less
- Small claims jury appeals
- Eviction cases
- Supplementary process cases
- Mental health matters
- Abuse prevention matters
- Civil motor vehicle violations
- Violations of particular municipal ordinances and bylaws
Additionally, the Boston Municipal Court has the authority to review actions of some government agencies such as Unemployment Compensation Appeals and Firearms License Appeals. During the 2020 fiscal year, the court registered a total of 5,591 criminal case filing. Its case dockets are publicly available on the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access and at the court building.
Currently, most of the court’s operations are virtual due to Covid 19 health restrictions adopted by all the courts serving the neighborhood. To determine whether or not to visit the courthouse for a particular reason, interested parties should inquire from the Court’s Clerk.
Boston Municipal Court - Central Division
Edward W. Brooke Courthouse
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 788-8600
Phone: (617) 788-8426 (Probation Department)
Fax: (617) 788-8465
Fax: (617) 788-8432 (Probation Department)
Email: bmccentral@jud.state.ma.us
Suffolk County Superior Court
The Suffolk County Superior Court serves Beacon Hill neighborhood and it has exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases, original jurisdiction over all other crimes, and appellate jurisdiction over certain matters such as the determination of a suspect’s bail status. The court’s civil jurisdiction extends to tort, contract disputes, and real property matters involving $50,000 or more. It also holds hearings for civil protection orders and restraining orders, administrative appeals, and miscellaneous civil proceedings.
During the 2020 fiscal year, the court recorded a total of 1,322 criminal case entries. Case records of the Suffolk Superior Court are available through the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access System or by requesting them from the Court’s Clerk.
Although the court currently operates virtually, the following matters may require in-person visits.
- Court proceedings (if ordered by the court)
- Activities at the clerk's office
- Meeting with a probation officer or probation staff person
- Activities at other courthouse offices that are open to the public
The courthouse is located at
Suffolk County Superior Court
3 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 788-8175
Email: Suffolkcivil.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us (Civil Business)
Email: Suffolkcriminal.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us (Criminal Business)
Boston Juvenile Court
The Suffolk County Juvenile Court in Boston has general jurisdiction over Beacon Hill cases involving juvenile delinquency, child protection, and certain adult criminal cases involving minors, adoption, termination of parental rights, and guardianship. Trial Court Statistics reveals that the Suffolk County Juvenile Court received a total of 3,061 case filings in the 2020 fiscal year.
Records and cases before the Boston Juvenile Court are only open to persons permitted by order of a Juvenile Court Judge, and persons who represent a party or have otherwise been appointed on the case. The courthouse is located at
Boston Juvenile Court
24 New Chardon Street
P.O. Box 9663
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 788-8525 (Clerk’s Office)
Phone:(617) 788-8571(Probation Department)
Fax:(617) 788-8991 (Clerk’s Office)
Fax:(617) 788-8972 (Probation Department)
Email: suffolk-jccallctr@jud.state.ma.us
Suffolk Probate and Family Court
The Suffolk Probate and Family Court holds hearings for probate and estate matters, miscellaneous civil matters, and divorce cases. The court also hears submissions on domestic relations and juvenile dependency. During the 2020 fiscal year, it recorded a total of 11,576 case filings. Records of the court’s proceedings are available to persons who request them online, by mail, or in-person. To make online requests, applicants may visit the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access System. In-person and mail requesters are required to fill out the Request for Copies form, then submit it with payment to the court at
Suffolk Probate and Family Court
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 788-8301 (Register’s Office)
Phone: (617) 788-8210 (Probation Department)
Fax: (617) 788-8962 (Register’s Office)
Fax: (617) 788-8957 (Probation Department)
Email: Suffolkquestions@jud.state.ma.us
Eastern Housing Court
The Eastern Housing Court is a trial court in charge of matters pertaining to the health and safety of residential buildings in Beacon Hill. It has authority over violations of local building codes, sanitation codes, and other laws on the safety of residences. According to Trial Court Statistics, the court registered a total of 333 criminal case entries in the 2020 fiscal year, while also disposing of 50 criminal cases. The Eastern Housing Court is located at
Eastern Housing Court
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone:(617) 788-8485 (Clerk’s Office)
Phone: (617) 788-6233 (Housing Specialist Department)
Email: EasternHousingCourt@jud.state.ma.us
Massachusetts Land Court
The Massachusetts Land Court hears Beacon Hill cases relating to mortgages, foreclosures, and real property. It also has authority over title registration and real estate tax lien cases to the exclusion of other courts. Trial Court Statistics shows that the court recorded a caseload of 26,037 cases during the 2020 fiscal year. The Electronic Case Access Portal grants residents free access to case records and reports of the Land Court, interested persons can also request these records by contacting the courthouse at
Massachusetts Land Court
3 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 788-7470
Fax: (617) 788-8951
Supreme Judicial Court (SJC)
As the foremost court in the state, the SJC has appellate jurisdiction over all Beacon Hill cases from the Appeals Court, and exclusively receives appeals on first-degree murder. convictions. It also handles appeals by permission and interlocutory appeals for criminal, civil, and administrative hearings. Additionally, it holds original proceedings for writ applications, issues concerning the bar and judiciary, advisory opinions, and certified questions. During the 2018 fiscal year, the SJC recorded 194 case entries and dismissed 14 cases.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court - John Adams Courthouse
1 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 557-1000
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Appeals Court
The Appeals Court has appellate jurisdiction over all Beacon Hill civil and criminal cases excluding appeals of first-degree murder which the SJC solely handles. The court also hears appeals of cases from the Department of Industrial Accidents, the Appellate Tax Board, and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. Within the 2020 fiscal year, it heard a total of 736 criminal case appeals.
Massachusetts Appeals Court - John Adams Courthouse
1 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 921-4443
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Suffolk University
The US Campus Safety Portal reported that Suffolk University registered a total of 3 rapes, 2 burglaries, and 2 robberies in 2018. The university is located at
Suffolk University
8 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 573-8000
Emerson College
Emerson College is a private higher institution with a campus in Beacon Hill. The 2019 Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) reported that the school registered a total of 7 rapes, 1 burglary, and 20 larcenies. Emerson College can be contacted at
Emerson College
120 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 824-8500
Fisher College
Fisher College recorded 2 aggravated assaults, 2 burglaries, and 1 motor vehicle theft in 2018, according to the Campus Safety and Security portal of the US Department of Education. The college is located at
Fisher College
118 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 236-8800
