Middlesex County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Middlesex County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Middlesex County.
Defendant Sentencing
At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.
Middlesex County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Middlesex County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Middlesex County. The Middlesex County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.
Middlesex County Criminal Court
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Middlesex County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.
Right to Jury Trial
For “Serious Crimes”, those that can have a potential penalty of 6 months in jail OR a minimum $500 penalty, the US Constitution guarantees a right to trial by jury. This is guaranteed by Article III of the Constitution and the 6th Amendment. The accused has the ability to waive their right to trial by jury.
Who can help me in Middlesex County?
For general information about your case the Middlesex County court clerk will be able to provide legal information about your specific criminal case. Legal information is not legal advice though, the court clerk will only be able to provide information about your case, like date/time of hearings what will occur at the hearing and what you may be required to do in the hearing. They cannot provide advice about what you should do or what the best legal options may be for your particular case. Only an attorney can provide legal advice and this is your best place for information about your specific criminal proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire a private attorney to represent you, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you, this is most often a public defender.
Middlesex County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Middlesex County will take place at the Middlesex County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Middlesex County Criminal Court Locations.
Mandatory Appearances in Middlesex County Criminal Court
At a mandatory or required court appearance in Middlesex County, the defendant must appear before the court. In the event of a “Failure to Appear” the judge may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. Note: not all criminal hearings are mandatory, in a non-mandatory hearing an attorney may appear on your behalf without you being in court.
Jury Deliberations in Middlesex County
In Middlesex County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
Appealing a Criminal Conviciton
A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.
What happens in Middlesex County at an arraignment?
In Middlesex County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.
Middlesex County Criminal Court Locations
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Middlesex Superior Court
Address: 200 Trade Center, 2nd Floor, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-939-2700 -
Middlesex Superior Court
Address: 360 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: 978-453-4181 (Criminal) Fax: 978-970-2386 -
Ayer District Court
Address: 25 East Main Street, Ayer, MA 01432
Phone: 978-772-2100 Fax: 978-772-5345 -
Cambridge District Court
Address: 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA 02155
Phone: 781-306-2715 Fax: 781-395-2035 -
Concord District Court
Address: 305 Walden Street, Concord, MA 01742
Phone: 978-369-0500 Fax: 978-371-2945 -
Framingham District Court
Address: 600 Concord Street, PO Box 1969, Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: 508-875-7461 -
Lowell District Court
Address: 41 Hurd Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: 978-459-4101 Fax: 978-937-2486 -
Malden District Court
Address: 89 Summer Street, Malden, MA 02148
Phone: 781-322-7500 Fax: 781-322-0169 -
Marlborough District Court
Address: 45 Williams Street, Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508-485-3700 Fax: 508-485-1575 -
Natick District Court
Address: 600 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: 508-620-9110 Fax: 508-620-9118 -
Newton District Court
Address: 1309 Washington Street, West Newton, MA 02465
Phone: 617-244-3600 Fax: 617-243-7291 -
Somerville District Court
Address: 175 Fellsway, Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: 617-666-8000 Fax: 617-776-2111 -
Waltham District Court
Address: 38 Linden Street, Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: 781-894-4500 -
Woburn District Court
Address: 30 Pleasant Street, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-935-4000 Fax: 781-933-4404 -
Northeast Housing Court
Address: 2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: 978-689-7833 -
Worcester Housing Court
Address: 225 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-831-2050 Fax: 508-792-1170 -
Middlesex County Juvenile Court
Address: 110 Mount Wayte Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: 508-879-3561 -
Middlesex County Juvenile Court
Address: 89 Appleton Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: 978-441-2630 -
Middlesex County Juvenile Court
Address: 121 3rd Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: 617-494-4100