Middlesex County Superior Court Case Search

In Middlesex County, Superior Court court records are generated from the various general and specialized court cases involving residents. As the primary custodian of Middlesex Superior Court records, the Court Clerk maintains and preserves court records derived from litigation processes. Such documents constitute helpful resources to parties conducting legal research, tracking the status of cases, personal affairs, or criminal background checks for employment or tenancy.

What Kinds of cases have been heard in Middlesex Superior Court?

In Middlesex County, the Superior Court has extensive authority over all civil and criminal proceedings. However, it typically hears lawsuits beyond other courts' jurisdiction. The court handles civil cases involving general civil claims of more than $25,000. It also handles lawsuits seeking equitable remedy, most claims against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and certain claims brought by the State. The Superior Court oversees abuse prevention cases but does not hear legal issues primarily related to dating or engagement relationships.

The Middlesex Superior Court typically handles major felony cases or cases with possible sentences of more than five years. However, it may share jurisdiction with other courts on specific criminal, abuse prevention, and real estate legal matters.

Although the Probate and Family Courts mainly handle family law matters like divorce and child custody, the court may get involved when serious criminal charges are connected to family situations.

Middlesex County Superior Court

In Middlesex, the Superior Court is the primary trial court that oversees major civil and criminal cases regarding scope and cost. The court upholds and protects citizens' rights by offering a fair and effective means of resolving disputes. It is essential to the county's justice system, helping maintain the rule of law and protecting residents' rights.

Middlesex County Superior Court oversees cases ranging from major civil disputes and serious criminal offenses to abuse prevention, family law, and probate cases. Information seekers may find the county's Superior Courthouses at the following locations:

Middlesex County Superior Court - Lowell
360 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 453-0201 (Civil)
Phone: (978) 453-4181 (Criminal)
Fax: (978) 970-2386

Middlesex County Superior Court - Woburn
200 Trade Center, 2nd Floor, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: (781) 939-2700

Middlesex County Case Lookup

In Middlesex County, interested parties may look up case information from the various courts, including the Superior, District, Probate, Family, Housing, and Juvenile Courts, using the resources below:

Online Searches
The Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access portal allows users to access civil, criminal, family, and probate case information.

Requesters searching as guests may access publicly available information from the county's trial courts. However, searchers wishing to download and make copies of court documents must have the precise case number to use the " Quick Pay to bypass standard case search page" option.

To conduct a standard search on the portal, navigate to the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal, enter the Captcha, and choose "Click Here to search public records". Then, select the relevant court department, division, and location. The portal allows searches by name (first and last name or business name), case type, case number, and ticket/citation number.

Massachusetts State law restricts public access to court records related to harassment and domestic abuse cases and information identifying victims of sexual assault and their families.

Walk-in Requests
Eligible inquirers with case numbers, names of parties, or any identifiers to assist court staff with the search and a copy of their valid photo ID may make their request in person at the Middlesex County Clerk's Office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Copies of unattested civil court records cost $0.05 per page, while attested ones attract a charge of $2.50 per page.

Interested parties may use the public computers provided in the courthouses to find case records.

Cash, check, or credit card are typically available payment options for in-person requests. However, these methods may vary by courthouse.

To submit an in-person record request, applicants must identify the court handling the case they're interested in.

Mail Request
Requesters possessing a mail-in application (e.g., the Probate and Family Court request form), a stamped self-addressed envelope, a copy of a valid photo ID, and all required payments must send their mail-in request to the office locations of the custodian of the court record they seek.

• The application form must contain the case number, party names, and filing date (if known).
• Unattested copies of civil court records typically cost $0.05 per page, while attested ones attract a charge of $2.50 per page.
• Available means of payment include attorney's checks, money orders, certified checks, and cashier's checks.
• Interested parties may contact the Middlesex Superior Court Clerk's Office and Probation Department at (781) 939-2700 to obtain information on the processing time for mail-in requests.

Middlesex Superior Court Case Search by Name

Online Searches: Requesters must navigate to the Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal. On the portal, they must enter the Captcha and choose "Click Here" to enter the portal. Upon accessing the search engine, they must select the relevant court department, division, and location, insert the first and last name in the boxes under the "Name" tab, and click "Search".

Alternatively, users may search by business name. When searching with a common first and last name, adding a middle name helps narrow the results. Users may also filter their searches using a case type, case status, party type, date of birth range, and file date range.

In-Person Searches: Individuals with a party name or case number may request a name-based court records search in person at the Middlesex County Clerk's Office.

Mail Requests: Information seekers must mail a request letter containing a party's name (preferably a complete name), a case number, and other requirements (copy of photo ID and a self-stamped envelope) to:

Middlesex County Superior Court Clerk's Office
200 Tradecenter Drive, 2nd Floor
Woburn, MA 01801

Middlesex Superior Court Docket Search

A court docket is a document that includes all of the details of each case in brief chronological entries summarizing court events. It also includes forthcoming judicial sessions and filings. Court dockets keep all parties involved in proceedings up to date on what has occurred thus far. They are also helpful when the court transfers a case to a new district or a new judge or when new counsel joins the proceedings.

Interested parties seeking Middlesex County court dockets may access such documents using the following steps:

1. Visit the masscourts.org page and select "Click Here to search public records".
2. Choose the court department, division, and location where the case was filed.
3. Then, search by case type, case number, or ticket number.

Requesters may also search for civil case dockets by name.

Lookup Middlesex County Superior Court Online

The Massachusetts Trial Court Case Access Portal serves as the official source of information for the Middlesex Superior Court. Nevertheless, third-party databases such as Massachusettscourtrecords.us may offer information seekers favorable and smooth online access to these records. Users may find specific court cases via a smartphone, tablet, or laptop by case numbers, party names, or dates.

In some cases, viewing and downloading court records using these third-party sites saves time and effort. However, record seekers should know that such third-party databases operate independently of government bodies. As a result, there is no guarantee that records on these platforms will be available or accurate.

Supreme Court vs. Superior Court

Massachusetts's Supreme Court is the state's highest appellate court. It hears appeals from lower courts and concentrates on interpreting state statutes and the Massachusetts Constitution. The Supreme Court does not conduct trials; legal disputes are settled through written briefs and oral arguments.

The Middlesex Superior Court, on the other hand, is a first-instance trial court with broad jurisdiction over civil (e.g., claims for damages over $25,000) and criminal (felonies) cases. The Superior Court conducts trials, hears evidence, and delivers verdicts and sentences. Its decisions may be appealed to the SJC.

While the Massachusetts Supreme Court has jurisdiction throughout the state, the United States Supreme Court is the highest in the nation. The US Supreme Court resolves constitutional and federal law questions.