New Bedford District Court cases in Bristol County, New Bedford, MA
New Bedford District Court is a state trial court in the Massachusetts Trial Court's District Court Department, located in New Bedford, MA. It serves as a first-instance court for its venue in Bristol County, handling criminal misdemeanors and certain felonies; arraignments, bail, and probable-cause hearings for all felonies; probation violations; and search warrants. On the civil side, it hears civil actions up to $50,000, small claims, summary-process (eviction) cases, abuse-prevention and harassment-prevention orders, and local bylaw/ordinance matters. It also adjudicates civil motor vehicle infractions and criminal traffic offenses. Divorce, custody, and most juvenile matters are heard in other Massachusetts Trial Court departments (Probate and Family Court or Juvenile Court).
New Bedford District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Bristol |
| Street Address: | 75 N. Sixth St |
| City: | New Bedford |
| Zip Code: | 2740 |
| Phone: | 508-999-9700 |
| Fax: | 508-990-8094 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/new-bedford-district-court |
| Parking: | There is metered street parking and a paid parking garage available for the public |
| Public Transportation: | The New Bedford District Court is accessible by the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority |
| Restrictions: | No cell phones, or other electronic devices |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | cmnewbedforddc@jud.state.ma.us |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Bedford-District-Court/149576075061392 |
| ADA: | Patrick Walsh |
| ADA Phone: | 508-999-9377 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | patrick.walsh@jud.state.ma.us |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, New Bedford, and Westport. |
Services and Case Types Handled in New Bedford District Court
New Bedford District Court serves the public by:
- Criminal: arraignments, bail, show-cause hearings, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, jury/bench trials for misdemeanors and some felonies, probable-cause hearings, and probation violation proceedings.
- Civil: contract/tort and other claims up to $50,000; small claims up to $7,000; summary process (evictions); supplementary process (judgment enforcement); civil motor vehicle and bylaw infractions.
- Protective orders: Abuse Prevention Orders (G.L. c. 209A) and Harassment Prevention Orders (G.L. c. 258E).
- Commitment: petitions for substance-use commitment under G.L. c. 123, §35.
- Jury services: juror summonsing, orientation, selection, and empanelment for District Court jury trials.
- Clerk services: accepts filings (civil, small claims, evictions, criminal complaint applications), schedules hearings, issues summonses, provides docket copies, processes fines/fees/restitution, and offers interpreter/ADA accommodations.