Barnstable County was formed in 1685 in Massachusetts. According to the US 2020 Census, more than 228,000 people reside in the county. Barnstable County shares the same boundaries as Cape Cod, a southeastern Massachusetts peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean. Its county seat is the Town of Barnstable.

Courts in Barnstable County

The Barnstable County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. It often presides over felony cases with possible jail sentences of more than five years. The court also handles all civil lawsuits involving more than $25,000 in financial disputes. Residents may approach the Superior Court to resolve landlord-tenant cases, legal matters related to real estate, and abuse prevention cases.

Barnstable County has three District Courts. The First District Court, also known as Barnstable District Court, serves the towns of Sandwich, Yarmouth, and Barnstable. The Falmouth District Court serves Mashpee, Bourne, and Falmouth towns in the county. Meanwhile, the Orleans District Court presides over limited civil and criminal cases in Chatham, Harwich, Truro, and Orleans towns. These courts hear certain felony cases involving less than five years of prison sentences. They also handle misdemeanors and traffic violations. All general civil matters below $25,000 are brought before these District Courts.

The Barnstable Probate and Family Court typically resolves probate legal matters like guardianships, name changes, and administration of estates. Other legal proceedings handled by the court include marriage annulment or affirmation, domestic violence, abuse prevention, child custody, and termination of parental rights. Barnstable County also has Juvenile Courts in the towns of Barnstable, Orleans, and Falmouth. These courts preside over child protection cases and juvenile delinquency.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Barnstable County

Generally, the Massachusetts Court System provides access to all public court records online via the Massachusetts Court Case Access portal. To use the statewide repository, requesters must first choose the court departments and court locations/divisions. Afterward, provide case numbers, case types, or names of involved parties to narrow the search. Other ways to obtain public court records in Barnstable County is by contacting designated clerks in each local court. Public court records in Barnstable County usually contain the following information:

• Court calendars and dockets
• Oral arguments
• Court judgements
• Pretrial judgments
• Motions, briefs, complaints, and plea bargains
• Evidence
• Jury lists
• Appeals

Types of Public Court Records in Barnstable County

Barnstable County court clerks typically maintain and disseminate the following public court records to requesters:

• Civil case files
• Criminal case files
• Probate files
• Domestic Relations case files
• Juvenile case files
• Guardianship/Conservatorship
• Marriage License files

Confidential Court Records

Confidential court records in Barnstable County are not open for public inspection. Such records are available to only the record-holders and their legal representatives. Here are some examples of Barnstable County confidential records:

• Medical records
• Taxpayer information
• Child support records
• Domestic violence victim
• Adoption records
• Personal identifying information
• Social Security numbers
• Mental health records
• Financial information
• Court records sealed by record holders

Confidential court records are obtainable by record holders and their legal representatives. However, Barnstable County courts may grant court orders allowing certain persons to view these records.

Juvenile Delinquency in Barnstable, MA

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Barnstable County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Massachusetts often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 828 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Barnstable County. Of that total, 53% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 442 court cases. Another 20% were dependency cases that accounted for 168 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Barnstable County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Barnstable County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Barnstable County, MA

https://www.mass.gov/

County Seat:	Barnstable
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Home Rule
Year Organized:	1685
Total Square Miles:	1,306
2019 Population:	213,444
Persons/Square Mile:	0.01
County Contact:	3195 Main St County Courthouse Barnstable , MA 02630-1105 https://www.barnstablecounty.org/

Barnstable County, MA Courts