Peabody District Court cases in Essex County, Peabody, MA
Peabody District Court is a District Court of the Massachusetts Trial Court located in Peabody. It serves as a limited-jurisdiction trial court for the area, handling arraignments, bail, trials, and preliminary hearings for criminal cases (misdemeanors and some felonies through probable cause), civil actions up to $50,000, small claims, and summary process (evictions). It also hears civil motor vehicle infractions and criminal traffic offenses, municipal bylaw/ordinance violations, abuse prevention and harassment prevention orders, probation violations, and certain petitions such as substance use civil commitments under Section 35. Serious felony prosecutions after indictment and higher-value civil suits are heard in Superior Court, and divorce/custody matters are handled by the Probate and Family Court.
Peabody District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Essex |
| Street Address: | 1 Lowell St |
| City: | Peabody |
| Zip Code: | 1960 |
| Phone: | 978-532-3100 |
| Fax: | 978-531-8524 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/peabody-district-court |
| Parking: | There is free parking located nearby on Railroad Avenue |
| Public Transportation: | The Peabody District Court is accessibly through the following Bus lines of the MBTA: Bus 435 and Bus 465. The closest stop to the courthouse is Central Street |
| Restrictions: | No cell phones, or other electronic devices |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | cmpeabodydc@jud.state.ma.us |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peabody-District-Court/128537123860144 |
| ADA: | Rosalind Faretra |
| ADA Phone: | 978-532-3100 x303 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | rosalind.faretra@jud.state.ma.us |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves Lynnfield and Peabody. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Peabody District Court
Peabody District Court serves the public by accepting filings and conducting hearings in:
- Criminal matters: arraignments, bail, motions, trials (jury-of-six and bench), misdemeanors, some felonies to probable cause, probation violations, clerk‑magistrate show‑cause hearings, and CMVI/traffic hearings.
- Civil matters: civil actions up to $50,000, small claims up to $7,000, summary process (evictions), and supplementary process (collections).
- Protective and related orders: 209A abuse prevention and 258E harassment prevention orders; Section 35 substance use commitment petitions.
Public-facing services include case filings (civil complaints, small claims, criminal complaint applications, protective-order petitions), juror check‑in and empanelment, calendars and scheduling, records and certified copies, issuance of warrants/subpoenas, payments of fines/fees/restitution, probation and pretrial services, and interpreter and ADA accommodations.