Plymouth County, created in 1685, is located in Massachusetts and is the third-largest county in the Commonwealth by size. Over 500,000 individuals reside in several cities and towns within the county, including Plymouth and Brockton, which serve as the county seats.

Courts in Plymouth County

Plymouth County is home to two Superior Courts, located in the City of Brockton and Plymouth Town. The Superior Court exclusively handles criminal cases involving first-degree murder and has original jurisdiction over other felonies in the county. Non-criminal matters heard at the Superior Court include civil actions where the amount in dispute exceeds $50,000 and cases in which parties seek injunctions or equitable relief as remedies. The Superior Court also exercises appellate jurisdiction over some administrative proceedings and presides over medical malpractice tribunals.

Plymouth County has four District Courts that hear cases involving felony crimes punishable by a maximum of five years in prison, It also handles the proceedings of misdemeanors, and violations of local ordinances and by-laws. Civil actions where the damages are less than $50,000 and small claims cases with a limit of $7,000 are also brought before the Plymouth County District Court.

The Plymouth County Juvenile Court handles matters involving anyone under the age of 18. It hears juvenile delinquency cases, child abuse and neglect, guardianships, adoptions, children requiring assistance (CRA), and parental rights termination.

Probate matters concerning wills, trusts, conservatorships, and the administration of estates are under the jurisdiction of the Plymouth County Probate and Family Court. This court also hears family law matters in the county, such as adoption, child support, custody, divorce, ending parental rights, paternity, parenting time, and abuse prevention.

The Housing Court resolves residential housing disputes in Plymouth County. Cases that the court hears include evictions, small claims, housing disputes with a limit of $7,000, property damage, breaches of contract, and housing discrimination. Residents can also appeal the decisions of zoning boards that affect residential housing in their towns/cities at the Housing Court.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Plymouth County

In Plymouth County, Court Clerks are responsible for keeping the records of cases filed at the courthouses. Interested individuals can find public court records in Plymouth County online or at the courthouse where the case was held. The Court Clerks will also provide copies of public court records upon request by mail or in person at their office locations.

Types of Public Court Records in Plymouth County

The following types of court records are available for public inspection in Plymouth County:

• Probate Court Records
• Civil Court Records
• Criminal Court Records
• Traffic Court Records
• Housing Court Records

Confidential Court Records in Plymouth County

Confidential court records in Plymouth County are sealed by the court to comply with Massachusetts laws or for privacy concerns. Individuals can also petition to seal court records if they meet the statutory criteria. Unlike open court records, confidential court records are restricted from public access, and only authorized individuals can view or obtain copies of such records. Confidential court records in Massachusetts include:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Paternity case records
• Abuse prevention case records involving minors
• Records containing the addresses and contact information of plaintiffs
• Medical records
• Documents containing financial statements

Juvenile Delinquency in Plymouth, MA

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

In 2017, a total of 825 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Plymouth County. Of that total, 51% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 418 court cases. Another 20% were dependency cases that accounted for 165 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Plymouth County, MA

https://www.mass.gov/

County Seat:	Plymouth and Brockton
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1685
Total Square Miles:	1,093
2019 Population:	515,142
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00

Plymouth County, MA Courts