Brighton Neighborhood, Boston Massachusetts Crime Index
Situated in the northwestern corner of Boston City, the Brighton neighborhood recorded a 34% crime rate lower than the national average in 2019. The Brighton neighborhood together with nearby Allston recorded 318 incidents of violent crimes and 1,326 cases of property crimes per 100,000 persons. Residents have an estimated 1 in 61 chance of becoming a crime victim.
Boston Municipal Court - Brighton Division
The Boston Municipal Court handles civil and criminal cases that are brought in Brighton. The Court adjudicates over crimes with a potential punishment of 5-year jail term and crimes that do not require incarceration in state prison upon conviction. It also hears civil matters not exceeding $50,000 in value, small claims cases not more than $7,000, and specialized proceedings. The Boston Municipal Court shares jurisdiction with the other courts serving the neighborhood in certain matters like abuse and harassment prevention orders. Records of the court’s proceedings are accessible on the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access. The court received a total of 940 criminal case filings during the 2020 fiscal year.
In line with the Covid 19 restrictions, the Boston Municipal Court and other courts serving Brighton have adopted remote media such as videoconference, telephone, and mail to carry out many of their operations. Concerned parties may contact the Court Clerk to determine their court appearance schedule whether remote or in-person.
Boston Municipal Court - Brighton Division
52 Academy Hill Road
Brighton, MA 02135
Phone: (617) 782-6540, Press 5 (Clerk’s Office)
Phone: (617) 782-6540, Press 6 (Probation Department)
Fax: (617) 254-2127(Clerk’s Office)
Fax: (617) 789-5345 (Probation Department)
Email: bmcbrighton@jud.state.ma.us
Suffolk County Superior Court
The Suffolk County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over Brighton civil claims involving up to $50,000 money damages, exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murders, and original jurisdiction over other criminal matters. The court recorded a total of 1,322 criminal case entries during the 2020 fiscal year. Records of these cases and other cases handled by the court can be accessed on the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access System or through the Court Clerk’s office. The courthouse is only open for limited purposes including
- 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
Residents can contact the courthouse 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 specializes in matters concerning the welfare of minors. The court has jurisdiction over Brighton cases relating to
- Care and protection
- Adoption
- Delinquency
- Adult contributing to the delinquency of a minor
- Children requiring assistance (CRA)
- Guardianship
- Youth offender
- Termination of parental rights
Trial Court Statistics reveals that the Suffolk County Juvenile Court received a total of 3,061 case filings in the 2020 fiscal year. The Juvenile Court 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 handles Brighton cases pertaining to families and children affairs including
- Divorce
- Marriage affirmation or annulment
- Abuse prevention
- Child custody
- Paternity
- Child support
- Termination of parental rights
- Probate of wills
- Administration of estates
- Change of name
During the 2020 fiscal year, the Suffolk Probate and Family Court recorded a total of 11,576 case filings and 64.8% were domestic matters. Court records may be obtained by parties who submit a Request for Copies form with payment of relevant fees to the courthouse.
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 Department has general jurisdiction over Brighton matters involving residential housing including eviction cases, small claims cases, civil actions involving personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, discrimination, code enforcement, and appeals of Local Zoning Board decisions. According to Trial Court Statistics, the court registered a total of 333 criminal case entries in the 2020 fiscal year and disposed 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 Land Court specializes in handling civil cases concerning the ownership, development, and use of land. It typically hears cases on
- Land title disputes about ownership
- Easements
- Property boundaries
- Zoning and subdivision appeals
- Challenges and enforcement proceedings
- Real estate tax and mortgage foreclosures
- Actions to enforce contracts to buy and sell real estate
- Partition proceedings
- Interpretation and reform of conveyancing instruments
- Equitable and declaratory relief involving real estate title interests
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)
The SJC has authority over appeals of all Brighton cases from the Appeals Court, and it has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases. Besides hearing cases, it also coordinates the operations of the other courts serving the neighborhood. 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
As a court of general appellate jurisdiction, the Appeals Court reviews decisions made by any of the trial court departments concerning matters emanating in Brighton. It also hears appeals of final determinations from the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident Board, and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The court, however, has no jurisdiction over first-degree murder appeals. 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: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
