Worcester County, Massachusetts, is the biggest county in the Commonwealth by size and the second most populous, with over 800,000 residents. The county is home to 83 cities and towns, including its county seat, the City of Worcester.

Courts in Worchester County

The Worcester County Superior Court hears both civil and criminal cases. It has exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases and jurisdiction over felony criminal cases. The Superior Court also adjudicates civil cases in which the disputed amounts exceed $50,000.

Legal matters related to probate and family-related issues, including divorce, child custody, guardianships, adoptions, wills, trusts, and estates, are under the purview of the Probate and Family Court.

Worcester County is served by 11 District Courts, which handle cases involving felony crimes punishable by a 5-year incarceration term or less, misdemeanor crimes, and all violations of city and town ordinances or by-laws. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages do not exceed $50,000. It also handles small claims cases with limits of $7,000.

The Juvenile Court in Worcester focuses on cases involving minors between 12 and 18 years of age. Cases heard in this court involve juvenile delinquency, children requiring assistance (CRA), care and protection, adults contributing to juvenile delinquency, adoption, guardianship, and termination of parental rights.

Lastly, the Worcester County Housing Court department has civil and criminal jurisdiction over housing matters involving tenants or landlords of residential buildings in the county. Cases heard in the court include evictions, small claims, and other civil matters related to the well-being of tenants or landlords.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Worcester County

The courts in Worcester County have clerks who are responsible for maintaining records of all cases held within their jurisdiction. Typically, public court records in Worcester County are accessible online or at the courthouse where the case was heard. Interested persons can also visit the clerk’s office to obtain copies of public court records or send a written request for such records.

Types of Public Court Records in Worcester County

The types of court records available for public inspection in Worcester County include:

• Civil Court Records - case information regarding non-criminal disputes like breaches of contract and property damage
• Criminal Court Records - case files on felonies and misdemeanors, including charges, criminal complaints, indictments, and probation transfers
• Small Claims Court Records - information on minor civil disputes involving claims up to $7,000
• Probate Court Records - including court documents related to wills, trusts, and administration of estates

Confidential Court Records in Worcester County

Confidential court records in Worcester County are sealed by the court to ensure the privacy of a party involved, conceal sensitive information, or comply with state laws. Such records are exempt from public disclosure and only available to persons authorized by a court. Confidential court records are also available to the parties involved in the case or their attorneys. Court records that are restricted from public inspection in Massachusetts include:

• Adoptions and child welfare records
• Paternity case records
• Abuse prevention case records involving minors
• Records containing the addresses and contact information of plaintiffs
• Medical records

Juvenile Delinquency in Worcester, MA

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

In 2017, a total of 1348 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Worcester County. Of that total, 0% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 1 court cases. Another 46% were dependency cases that accounted for 621 of the juvenile cases.

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

Worcester County, MA Courts