Lawrence District Court cases in Essex County, Lawrence, MA
Lawrence District Court in Lawrence, Massachusetts, is part of the Massachusetts Trial Court's District Court Department. It functions as a first-instance trial court for the area, handling criminal arraignments, bail determinations, pretrial proceedings, trials for misdemeanors, and probable cause hearings (and certain felony trials as permitted by statute). Civil jurisdiction includes small claims, civil actions for money damages up to $50,000, summary process (evictions), civil motor vehicle infractions, and applications for abuse prevention and harassment prevention orders. The court also hears traffic matters, including criminal motor vehicle offenses such as operating under the influence. Divorce, child custody, and most probate matters are handled by the Probate and Family Court, not the District Court.
Lawrence District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Essex |
| Street Address: | 2 Appleton St |
| City: | Lawrence |
| Zip Code: | 1840 |
| Phone: | 978-687-7184 |
| Fax: | 978-686-2063 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/lawrence-district-court |
| Parking: | There are two paid parking lots near the courthouse as well as one paid garage adjacent to the courthouse |
| Public Transportation: | For public transportation information to the courthouse, visit the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority website or call 508-588-1000 |
| Restrictions: | No cell phones, or other electronic devices |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | cmlawrencedc@jud.state.ma.us |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-District-Court/302129633208746 |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/company/lawrence-district-court |
| ADA: | Patricia Evangelista |
| ADA Phone: | 978-687-7184 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | patricia.evangelista@jud.state.ma.us |
| Special Access: | Yes Wheelchair accessible |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, and North Andover. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Lawrence District Court
Lawrence District Court serves the public by processing and adjudicating:
- Criminal cases: applications for criminal complaints (clerk-magistrate/show-cause), arraignments, bail hearings, pretrial conferences, motions, bench and jury-of-six trials, probation and violation hearings, warrants.
- Civil cases: civil actions, small claims, summary process (evictions), civil motor vehicle infractions, municipal bylaw/ordinance violations.
- Protective orders: Abuse Prevention Orders (209A) and Harassment Prevention Orders (258E), including emergency orders.
- Case filings and records: intake and docketing of filings, issuance of summons and subpoenas, access to case records and certified copies, and payment of fines/fees.
- Jury services: juror check-in, orientation, selection, scheduling, deferrals, and accommodations.
- Court support: scheduling of hearings, continuances, language access/interpreters, and ADA accommodations.
The court also provides self-help information and referrals to assist unrepresented litigants.