Newburyport District Court cases in Essex County, Newburyport, MA
Ipswich District Court (sitting in Newburyport, MA) is a court of the Massachusetts District Court Department. It provides first-instance jurisdiction for designated Essex County communities, handling: criminal arraignments, bail, misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and felony complaints through probable-cause hearings; civil actions up to $50,000; small claims; summary process (evictions); civil motor vehicle/traffic infractions and criminal motor vehicle matters; abuse prevention orders (G.L. c. 209A) and harassment prevention orders (G.L. c. 258E); mental health and substance use commitment proceedings; and clerk-magistrate show cause hearings. It does not adjudicate divorces, custody, or probate matters, which are within the Probate and Family Court.
Newburyport District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Essex |
| Street Address: | 188 State St. |
| City: | Newburyport |
| Zip Code: | 1950 |
| Phone: | 978-462-2652 |
| Fax: | 978-465-6471 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/newburyport-district-court |
| Parking: | There is a public parking lot 2 blocks from the courthouse as well as a metered lot across the street from the courthouse and metered street parking. |
| Public Transportation: | The Newburyport District Court is accessible by the Newburyport/Rockport line of the MBTA. The closest stop to the courthouse is the Newburyport Station, which is approximately 1/2 of a mile from the courthouse. The courthouse is also accessible through the Cape Ann Transit Authority. |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | cmnewburyportdc@jud.state.ma.us |
| Facebook: | https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=108469865881772 |
| ADA: | Cara Ring |
| ADA Phone: | 978-499-6828 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | cara.ring@jud.state.ma.us |
| Special Access: | Yes Wheelchair Accessible |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves Amesbury, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Newburyport District Court
Ipswich District Court serves the public by processing and adjudicating:
- Criminal matters: complaints, arraignments, bail, pretrial conferences, motions, bench and jury-of-six trials for misdemeanors and some felonies, probable-cause and dangerousness hearings, probation violations.
- Civil matters: civil actions (generally up to $50,000), small claims, summary process (evictions), supplementary process (judgment enforcement), motor-vehicle and bylaw violations.
- Protective orders: abuse prevention orders (G.L. c. 209A) and harassment prevention orders (G.L. c. 258E), including filings, extensions, and hearings.
- Additional proceedings: clerk-magistrate (show-cause) hearings, search warrants, and Section 35 substance-use commitment petitions.
Public services include case filings and docket access, forms and payments (fines/fees), scheduling and hearing notices, interpreter and ADA accommodations, probation services, and juror summons coordination and check-in when assigned. Hearings occur in person and, when authorized, remotely.