Essex County Superior Court - Lawrence Court cases in Essex County, Lawrence, MA
Essex County Superior Court in Lawrence is a Superior Court (Massachusetts Trial Court, Superior Court Department) serving as the county's court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases, including felonies, with exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murder, and conducts jury and bench trials, pretrial proceedings, and sentencings. On the civil side, it hears higher-value and complex matters, including tort, contract, real property, and equity cases, typically where the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000, as well as requests for injunctive or declaratory relief and medical malpractice tribunal matters. It does not hear routine family or probate cases (handled by the Probate and Family Court) or most minor traffic matters (handled in District Court).
Essex County Superior Court - Lawrence Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Superior Court |
| County: | Essex |
| Street Address: | 43 Appleton Way |
| City: | Lawrence |
| Zip Code: | 1841 |
| Phone: | 978-242-1900 |
| Fax: | 978-687-7869 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:00 am-4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/essex-county-superior-court-lawrence |
| Parking: | There are two paid parking lots near the courthouse, as well as one paid garage adjacent to the courthouse. |
| Public Transportation: | The court is accessible by the Haverhill line of the MBTA. The closest station to the courthouse is the Lawrence Station stop, which is approximately 1/2 of a mile from the courthouse. Buses are also available through the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority. |
| Restrictions: | No Cell Phones, Or Other Electronic Devices |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | Essex.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us |
| ADA: | Stefano J. Cornelio, Esq. |
| ADA Phone: | 978-242-1901 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | stefano.cornelio@jud.state.ma.us |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves all the cities and towns of Essex County. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Essex County Superior Court - Lawrence
Essex County Superior Court serves the public by handling major civil and serious criminal matters and providing access to court services.
Core functions:
- Case filings and docketing: torts (personal injury, medical malpractice), contract/business disputes, real property/injunctions, some probate-related civil actions, and felony prosecutions by indictment.
- Protective orders: receives and issues restraining/harassment orders and related injunctions when within the court's jurisdiction.
- Court hearings and trials: arraignments, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, evidentiary hearings, jury and bench trials, verdicts, and sentencing.
- Jury services: juror summonsing, check-in, orientation, hardship requests, and support during trials.
- Clerk's office services: records access, certified copies, filing fees, forms, calendars, and e-filing (where available).
- Compliance and supervision: orders, bail conditions, probation-related proceedings, and enforcement of judgments.
- Public accommodations: interpreters, ADA assistance, and information counters.