Pittsfield District Court cases in Berkshire County, Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield District Court, the Central Berkshire Division of the Massachusetts Trial Court's District Court Department, is a limited-jurisdiction trial court. It handles criminal arraignments, bail, misdemeanors, and certain felonies (including probable cause hearings for cases that may go to Superior Court), and conducts bench and jury-of-six trials. Civil jurisdiction includes tort and contract claims up to $50,000, small claims up to $7,000, summary process (evictions), civil motor vehicle infractions, and local bylaw/ordinance violations. The court issues search warrants, oversees probation, and hears applications for abuse prevention and harassment prevention orders, as well as certain mental health and substance use commitment matters. Traffic cases-including civil infractions and criminal offenses such as OUI-are adjudicated here; divorces and most family law cases are handled in Probate and Family Court.
Pittsfield District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Berkshire |
| Street Address: | 24 Wendell Ave., P.O. Box 875 |
| City: | Pittsfield |
| Zip Code: | 1202 |
| Phone: | 413-499-0558 |
| Fax: | 413-499-7327 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/pittsfield-district-court |
| Parking: | There is free street parking available at the courthouse |
| Restrictions: | Using cameras and electronic devices |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | cmpittsfielddc@jud.state.ma.us |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pittsfield-District-Court/133409303378581 |
| ADA: | Shannon Crouse |
| ADA Phone: | 413-442-5468 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | shannon.crouse@jud.state.ma.us |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves Becket, Dalton, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lenox, Peru, Pittsfield, Richmond, Washington, and Windsor. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Pittsfield District Court
Pittsfield District Court provides core trial-court services for the public in Central Berkshire.
- Criminal: arraignments, bail, pretrial conferences, motions, pleas, jury-of-six and bench trials (misdemeanors and some felonies), probation matters, and show-cause (magistrate) hearings.
- Civil: small claims, civil actions (generally up to $50,000), summary process/evictions, supplementary process (judgment collection), and civil motor vehicle infractions.
- Protective orders: abuse prevention orders (G.L. c. 209A), harassment prevention orders (c. 258E), and extreme risk protection orders.
- Case filings and records: accepts filings, dockets cases, issues certified copies, and processes payments for fines, fees, and restitution.
- Jury services: juror check-in, orientation, hardship/postponement requests, and support.
- Court hearings: in-person or virtual sessions as scheduled; interpreter and ADA accommodations available.
Public assistance is provided through the Clerk's Office and Probation.