Charlestown Neighborhood, Boston Massachusetts Crime Index
Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston city, Suffolk County. In 2019, the neighborhood recorded a 10% increase in violent crimes and property crimes. It has an estimated 22% lower crime rate than the national average making it one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston. Residents of the Charlestown neighborhood have a 1 in 49 chance of becoming a crime victim.
Boston Municipal Court - Charlestown Division
The Boston Municipal Court hears an array of criminal and civil matters from Charlestown. It has the jurisdiction to hear criminal cases resulting in a sentence below a state prison sentence as well as those with a potential punishment of up to 5-year imprisonment. The court also handles civil cases with a maximum of $50,000 monetary award, and small claims cases for $7,000 or less.
The Boston Municipal Court also has civil jurisdiction over certain specialized proceedings including mental health commitments, appeals from administrative proceedings, and eviction cases. It shares jurisdiction with the Superior Court and the Probate and Family Court over abuse prevention orders, and with the Superior Court over harassment prevention orders.
In the 2020 fiscal year, the court received a total of 482 criminal case filings. Its case records are accessible on the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access and at the courthouse.
Like other courts serving the neighborhood, Boston Municipal Court is open only for certain in-person matters due to Covid 19 restrictions. To explore virtual alternatives offered by the Court, concerned parties should query the Clerk’s Office at
Boston Municipal Court - Charlestown Division
3 City Square
Charlestown, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 242-5400 Press 1 (Clerk’s Office)
Phone: (617) 242-1230 Press 2 (Probation Department)
Fax: (617) 242-1677 (Clerk’s Office)
Fax: (617) 242-2117 (Probation Department)
Email: bmccharlestown@jud.state.ma.us
Suffolk County Superior Court
The Suffolk County Superior Court is a trial court authorized to hear Charlestown civil cases involving money damages of $50,000 or more. The court also hears the most serious crimes including first-degree murders which it handles to the exclusion of other trial courts. During the 2020 fiscal year, the Suffolk County Superior Court received a total of 1,322 criminal case entries.
Case records of the Suffolk Superior Court are available on the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access System or through requests from the Court Clerk.
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 Boston Juvenile Court adjudicates over a wide range of Charlestown cases involving minors. The court generally handles cases on juvenile delinquency, child protection, adoption, termination of parental rights, and guardianship. Trial Court Statistics for the 2020 fiscal year shows that the court received a total of 3,061 case filings. The Boston 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 has jurisdiction over Charlestown cases on
- 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
Residents can access records of the court’s proceedings online via the Massachusetts Electronic Case Access System, or by completing the Request for Copies form and sending it with stipulated fees in-person or by mail to the courthouse. During the 2020 fiscal year, the court registered a total of 11,576 case filings with 64.8% of them being domestic matters. Residents can query the Clerk’s office for details on the court’s mode of operation.
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 specializes in handling Charlestown cases involving the safety of residences, landlord-tenant disputes, violation of local building and sanitation codes, evictions, and other related matters. 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 Land Court is a specialized court authorized to handle Charlestown cases concerning real property. The Court has exclusive jurisdiction over land registration and real estate tax liens matters. It shares jurisdiction with the Superior and District Courts over Planning and Zoning Board appeals and in other real property matters. 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 may 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 hears appeals of first-degree murder cases and appeals of cases handled by the Appeals Court. Besides addressing case appeals, the SJC is also responsible for making or approving rules for the operations of all the courts. 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 authority over the appeals of all Charlestown civil and criminal cases except for first-degree murder appeals. The court also has appellate jurisdiction over 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. The Appeals Court currently executes its functions remotely to minimize physical visits at the courthouse located at
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.
Bunker Hill Community College
In 2018, Bunker Hill Community College recorded one case each of arson and aggravated assault within its Charlestown campus located at
Bunker Hill Community College - Charlestown Campus
250 New Rutherford Avenue
Boston, MA 02129-2995
Phone: (617) 228-2000
