Mid-Dorchester Neighborhood, Boston Massachusetts Crime Index

Mid-Dorchester is part of Dorchester, the largest neighborhood in Boston City, Suffolk County. In 2019, the estimated crime rates in North and South Dorchester were above the national average by 48% and 39% respectively. The area is generally considered less safe than other neighborhoods in Boston.

Suffolk Superior Court

The Suffolk Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over first-degree murder charges and general jurisdiction over other crimes committed in Mid - Dorchester. The Court also exercises civil jurisdiction over claims of over $50,000, submissions for equitable remedies, labor disputes in which parties seek injunctive relief, and Medical Malpractice Tribunal. In 2020, the Suffolk Superior Court received 4,668 case entries including 1,322 criminal case entries and 3,346 civil case entries.

Parties may visit the Virtual Service Center for information on the court’s virtual services or contact the Court by phone or email.

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 Municipal Court - Dorchester Division

The Boston Municipal Court adjudicates over small claims for a sum not more than $7,000, motor vehicle violations, and violations of municipal ordinances and by-laws. The court’s criminal jurisdiction covers cases below a state prison sentence and felonies punishable by a maximum five-year incarceration. During the 2020 fiscal year, the Court recorded a total of 15,960 case filings. Residents may contact the court at

Boston Municipal Court - Dorchester Division

510 Washington Street

Dorchester, MA 02124

Phone: (617) 288-9500 press 6 (Clerk’s Office)

Phone: (617) 288-9500 press 7 (Probation Department)

Fax: (617) 436-8250 (Clerk’s Office)

Fax: (617) 288-7430 (Probation Department)

Email: bmceastboston@jud.state.ma.us

Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Eastern Housing Court

The Eastern Housing Court handles civil and criminal matters bordering on the safety and welfare of residential buildings in Mid-Dorchester. It hears cases on the enforcement of state and local building codes and appeals of Local Zoning Boards related to residential housing. The Eastern Housing Court is currently open only for certain in-person matters. It operates a virtual counter for its Clerk’s Office front counter and Housing Specialist Department, to provide court users with guidance and information. 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

Suffolk County Juvenile Court

The Suffolk County Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency, youthful offenders, a child requiring assistance (CRA), and other juvenile-related matters originating in Mid - Dorchester. The proceedings and records of the court are usually private and accessible only to parties to a case, their representative or appointees, and others authorized by a court order. During the 2020 fiscal year, 3,061 case entries were registered at the Suffolk County Juvenile Court 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

Massachusetts Land Court

The Massachusetts Land Court adjudicates over most cases concerning real property. It has exclusive jurisdiction over registration of title to real property but shares jurisdiction with other courts over other real estate matters such as those involving claims for specific performance.

The Massachusetts Land Court currently handles most of its business virtually. It also operates a Virtual Recorder’s Office which assists litigants on court processes. The Massachusetts Land Court is located at

Massachusetts Land Court

3 Pemberton Square

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 788-7470

Fax: (617) 788-8951

Suffolk Probate and Family Court

The Suffolk Probate and Family Court hears family-related and probate proceedings such as

• 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

The Court received a total of 11,576 case filings during the 2020 fiscal year. To access records of these cases online, interested parties may visit the Massachusetts Electronic Case Access System. In-person and mail requests for records may be submitted to the courthouse by completing the Request for Copies form with stipulated fees to

Suffolk Probate and Family Court

24 New Chardon Street

Boston, MA 02114

Phone: (617) 788-8301 (Registrar’s Office)

Phone: (617) 788-8210 (Probation Department)

Fax: (617) 788-8962 (Registrar’s Office)

Fax: (617) 788-8957 (Probation Department)

Email: Suffolkquestions@jud.state.ma.us

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has general appellate jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters handled by the Appeals Court. It also receives appeals of first-degree murder cases directly from the Superior Court. The courthouse is located at

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

1 Pemberton Square

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 557-1000

Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Massachusetts Appeals Court

The Massachusetts Appeals Court entertains appeals from the trial court departments except for first-degree murder cases. It also has appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative tribunals including the Industrial Accident Board, the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board, and the Appellate Tax Board. The Appeals Court is located at

Massachusetts Appeals Court

1 Pemberton Square

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 921-4443

Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

University of Massachusetts Boston

According to the 2019 Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), the University of Massachusetts Boston registered 1 burglary and 30 larcenies within its Dorchester Campus located at

University of Massachusetts Boston

100 William T. Morrissey Boulevard

Boston, MA 02125-3393

Phone: (617) 287-5000