Gloucester District Court

The Gloucester District Court sits at 197 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Clerk’s office: (978) 283-2620
• Probation department: (978) 283-1440
• Clerk’s fax: (978) 283-8784
• Probation fax: (978) 283-8743
• Clerk’s email: cmgloucesterdc@jud.state.ma.us

A public parking lot sits two blocks from the courthouse, a metered lot sits across the street, and metered street parking is available. Gloucester station on the MBTA Newburyport and Rockport commuter rail line is about half a mile away, and the Cape Ann Transit Authority runs local bus service. The courthouse sits near the eastern end of Route 128.

The Essex County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes criminal cases in the Gloucester District Court. The court hears cases from Cape Ann. In the summer, the court hears additional cases involving visitors. Attorney Joe Serpa has practiced Massachusetts criminal defense since 1995. He tries to end each Gloucester case at the earliest stage, whether the client is a resident or a visitor.

The prosecutor can dismiss a case in the Gloucester District Court. A judge can also dismiss a case on a legal ground the defense raises, such as a lack of probable cause or the denial of a required clerk-magistrate hearing. The firm’s page on how criminal cases get dismissed in Massachusetts explains each ground.

Communities Served. Gloucester, Essex, and Rockport.

Seasonal and Visitor Cases. In the summer, the Gloucester District Court hears many OUI, disorderly conduct, and assault cases arising from the harbor and the beaches. Many of these defendants are visitors. Attorney Serpa can often attend court dates on behalf of a visitor, so that the client does not have to keep returning to Cape Ann. No complaint issues and no CORI entry results when the clerk-magistrate denies the application at the clerk-magistrate hearing.

Domestic Violence, Drug, and Theft Cases. The Gloucester District Court also hears domestic violence, drug, and theft cases and holds 209A restraining order hearings. In every case, Attorney Serpa examines whether the Commonwealth can prove each element of the charge.

A driver who receives a citation for a misdemeanor motor vehicle offense, with no felony charge and no arrest, has four days from the date of the violation to ask the clerk-magistrate in writing for a hearing before a criminal complaint issues. G.L. c. 90C, § 3(B)(2).

Prepared for Trial From Day One. Attorney Serpa prepares every Gloucester case for trial. The firm’s Massachusetts Criminal Defense Results page describes past outcomes. Call 617.936.0201 for a confidential consultation before your Gloucester date.

Related Serpa Law Office Resources: Clerk-Magistrate Hearings • OUI Defense • I Received a Show Cause Notice • Domestic Violence Defense • Criminal Traffic Citation • Courts Across Greater Boston Nearby: Ipswich District Court • Newburyport District Court