How Massachusetts OUI courts are organised
A OUI charge in Massachusetts is prosecuted in the District Court that serves the county or municipality where the stop happened, not where you live. The clerk's office in that courthouse controls your hearing dates, accepts motions and continuances, and takes payment of fines and court costs. Calendars, filing hours and remote-appearance rules differ from courthouse to courthouse, so confirm them with the clerk before your first date.
OUI misdemeanors are heard in the Massachusetts District Court, or the Boston Municipal Court within Boston, while felony OUI — a third or later offense, or one causing serious injury or death — is heard in Superior Court. Appeals go to the Massachusetts Appeals Court, with further review possible by the Supreme Judicial Court.
The state judiciary publishes the authoritative directory of courthouses, judges and calendars at mass.gov. Use it to confirm the address and division for your case number; local listings age quickly.
Courthouse locations, hearing calendars, clerk contacts and self-help forms.
The separate licence action, which the criminal court does not decide.
What happens at each stage in Massachusetts
A OUI case in Massachusetts is heard in the District Court, and a separate licence action runs alongside the criminal case.
- 1Arrest, booking and the chemical test — Officers arrest for OUI under M.G.L. c. 90, § 24 and request a breath, blood or urine test under Massachusetts's implied-consent section, M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(1)(f). Refusing carries its own licence penalty, separate from the criminal charge.
- 2Licence action by the state agency — The RMV imposes alcohol and drug suspensions for drivers over 21 separately from the criminal case. That action runs on its own timetable, independent of the criminal case.
- 3Arraignment in the District Court — The charge is read, a plea is entered and conditions of release are set in the District Court. OUI misdemeanors are heard in the Massachusetts District Court, or the Boston Municipal Court within Boston, while felony OUI — a third or later offense, or one causing serious injury or death — is heard in Superior Court.
- 4Pretrial motions and discovery — Defence counsel obtains the police report, test records and calibration or maintenance logs, and may move to suppress the stop or the test result. The Trial Court uses eFileMA for electronic filing in applicable case types.
- 5Plea or trial, then sentencing — A first OUI conviction carries a fine of $500–$5,000, jail exposure up to 2 years, a licence suspension of 45 days. Most first offences resolve through a § 24D disposition with an alcohol education program.
- 6Reinstatement — Reinstatement requires completing the requirements and paying the applicable RMV fees. Massachusetts requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before the licence is restored.
Filing and case handling in Massachusetts
- The Trial Court uses eFileMA for electronic filing in applicable case types.
- District Courts and the Boston Municipal Court are courts of record.
- The core offense is G.L. c. 90, § 24, covering both liquor and drug impairment.
- G.L. c. 90, § 24D establishes a first-offender alcohol education programme as an alternative disposition.
Whatever the local practice, take your citation or case number to every call — clerks index by case, not by name — and get the payable amount for fines and court costs in writing before you pay.
Massachusetts ZIP codes covered
These Massachusetts ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Massachusetts resources
Counties
Other Massachusetts official resources
Frequently asked questions
- Which court handles a first OUI charge in Massachusetts?
- First-offense OUI cases in Massachusetts are heard in the District Court for the county where the stop happened. The court clerk's office there sets the arraignment date and accepts filings.