Fall River District Court cases in Bristol County, Fall River, MA
Fall River District Court is a District Court within the Massachusetts Trial Court's District Court Department, serving the Fall River area. It functions as a court of limited jurisdiction, handling criminal matters (arraignments, bail, pretrial proceedings, trials of misdemeanors and certain felonies, and probable cause hearings for felonies); civil actions within the District Court's monetary limits; small claims; summary process (evictions); civil motor vehicle infractions and local ordinance/bylaw violations; abuse prevention and harassment prevention orders; mental health and substance use commitment proceedings; and the issuance of search and arrest warrants. Divorce, custody, and most juvenile matters are not heard here and instead fall under other Trial Court departments (e.g., Probate and Family Court or Juvenile Court).
Fall River District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Bristol |
| Street Address: | 186 S. Main St., 5th Floor |
| City: | Fall River |
| Zip Code: | 2720 |
| Phone: | 508-491-3200 |
| Fax: | 508-491-3492 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/fall-river-district-court |
| Parking: | There is metered street parking as well as paid parking garages near the courthouse. |
| Public Transportation: | The Fall River District Court is accessible by the Southeastern Transit Authority. |
| Restrictions: | No cell phones, or other electronic devices |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | cmfallriverdc@jud.state.ma.us |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fall-River-District-Court/640978299290372 |
| ADA: | Patricia Albin |
| ADA Phone: | 508-491-3280 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | patricia.albin@jud.state.ma.us |
| Special Access: | Yes Wheelchair accessible |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves Fall River, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Fall River District Court
Fall River District Court (Massachusetts) serves the public by handling:
- Criminal matters: criminal complaints, clerk-magistrate (show-cause) hearings, arraignments, bail/dangerousness determinations, pretrial conferences, motion practice, jury-of-six or bench trials for misdemeanors and some felonies, probable cause hearings, and probation violation hearings.
- Civil matters: civil actions up to $50,000, small claims (generally up to $7,000), summary process (evictions), civil motor vehicle infractions, and supplementary process for judgment enforcement.
- Protective orders: Abuse Prevention Orders (M.G.L. c. 209A), Harassment Prevention Orders (c. 258E), and Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO).
- Jury services: summonses and manages jurors for criminal and civil jury-of-six trials.
- Public services: case filings, payments of fines/fees and citations, records and certified copies, interpreter and accessibility services, and assistance with forms and court scheduling.