Salem District Court cases in Essex County, Salem, MA
Salem District Court in Salem, Massachusetts, is a trial-level court within the Massachusetts Trial Court's District Court Department. It handles criminal misdemeanors and certain felonies within its final jurisdiction, conducts arraignments, bail determinations, and probable cause hearings for other felonies, and issues warrants. On the civil side, it hears civil actions for money damages up to $50,000, small claims (generally up to $7,000), summary process (evictions), civil motor vehicle/traffic infractions, and local ordinance/bylaw violations. The court also processes applications for abuse and harassment prevention orders and conducts clerk-magistrate show-cause hearings. It does not handle divorce, child custody, or juvenile delinquency matters, which are heard in other departments of the Massachusetts Trial Court.
Salem District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Essex |
| Street Address: | 56 Federal St |
| City: | Salem |
| Zip Code: | 1970 |
| Phone: | 978-744-1167 |
| Fax: | 978-744-3211 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday : 8:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/salem-district-court |
| Parking: | There are metered lots as well as paid parking garages available to the public |
| Public Transportation: | The Salem District Court is accessible by the Newburyport/Rockport line of the MBTA. The closest stop to the courthouse is Salem Station. The courthouse is also accessible by the following MBTA busses: Express Bus 450, Bus 451, Express Bus 455, Bus 456, Express Bus 459 and Bus 465 |
| Restrictions: | No cell phones, or other electronic devices |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| Email: | cmsalemdc@jud.state.ma.us |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Salem-District-Court/137498706295766 |
| Special Access: | Yes Wheelchair accessible |
| About / Additional Info: | This court serves Beverly, Danvers, Manchester by the Sea, Middleton, and Salem. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Salem District Court
- Case filings: criminal misdemeanors and violations; felony complaints for initial appearances and preliminary/probable-cause hearings; traffic/ordinance matters.
- Civil matters: small claims; limited civil suits within statutory limits; landlord‑tenant/evictions; debt collection.
- Protective orders: intake and hearings for domestic violence, harassment, and stalking restraining orders.
- Court hearings: arraignments, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and bench or jury trials (as authorized); scheduling, continuances, and calendars.
- Jury services: summon, qualify, orient, and manage jurors, including deferrals/excuses, where jury trials are provided.
- Public access: case information and records, certified copies; filing counters and e‑filing (where available); payment of fines, fees, and restitution.
- Support services: interpreters, ADA accommodations, self-help resources and forms, mediation/ADR referrals, compliance instructions, and remote appearance options when offered.
These services enable the court to accept filings, protect safety, adjudicate disputes, and provide accessible, orderly proceedings for the public.