Norfolk County, MA Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Norfolk County Superior Court is the county's trial court for felonies and larger civil cases, while the Probate and Family Court in the county handles probate, guardianship, divorce, and custody matters.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Norfolk County Superior Court and Probate and Family Court (Massachusetts Trial Court) |
| Main Address | 650 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026; 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021 |
| Main Phone | (781) 326-1600 (Superior Court, Dedham); (781) 830-1200 (Probate and Family Court, Canton) |
| Website | mass.gov, Massachusetts Court System locations |
| Courthouse Locations | 2 listed locations (Canton, Dedham) |
| Handles | Superior Court: felonies and larger civil cases; District Court: misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, civil cases under the limit, summary process, and preliminary felony hearings; Probate and Family Court: probate, guardianship, divorce, paternity, custody, and adoption-related matters |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for Massachusetts), parking tickets (issuing agency), and misdemeanor or small claims matters (District Court) |
| Online Case Search | MassCourts (statewide public case search): basic case information and scheduled court dates |
| Criminal Records Requests | Contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office by phone or at the courthouse; criminal offender record information (CORI) is restricted |
How to Search Norfolk County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search. Norfolk County cases are kept by the Superior Court Clerk's Office in Dedham.
Online
Go to the MassCourts public case search, linked from mass.gov.
Search by name or case number to see basic case information.
Review the scheduled court dates shown in the results.
Best for: Checking basic case information and court dates
In Person
Go to 650 High Street, Dedham.
Bring the case number and party names if you know them.
Ask the clerk which department keeps the record you need.
Best for: Records that are not available online
By Phone
Call (781) 326-1600 to ask the Superior Court Clerk's Office about records.
Have the case number and party names ready when you call.
Ask the clerk whether a written request is needed for your record.
Best for: Confirming what the clerk needs before you visit
Search by Name on MassachusettsCourts.org
Go to MassachusettsCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Norfolk County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
Norfolk County courts handled an estimated 74,738 new cases in FY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 72,662. The estimate scales Massachusetts statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~74,738
Total filings in FY 2024
~72,662
Total dispositions in FY 2024
~1,779
Filings per judicial position (42 estimated positions)
~+2.9%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023
| Metric | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~74,738 | ~72,662 | ~+2.9% |
| Total Dispositions | ~72,662 | ~70,586 | ~+2.9% |
| Criminal Filings | ~23,875 | ~23,356 | ~+2.2% |
| Civil Filings | ~26,989 | ~25,951 | ~+4.0% |
| Family Law Filings | ~10,380 | ~10,173 | ~+2.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~5,190 | ~5,086 | ~+2.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~830 | ~830 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~3,114 | ~3,010 | ~+3.5% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~42 | ~42 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in civil filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Massachusetts statewide figures scaled by Norfolk County's 10.38% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Norfolk County?
Total filings in Norfolk County rose from 51,591 in fiscal year 2023 to 56,118 in fiscal year 2024. The source reports only these two fiscal years, so no longer trend is shown.
| Fiscal Year / Department | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | 1,742 | 1,649 | +5.6% |
| District Court | 42,203 | 37,975 | +11.1% |
| Probate and Family Court | 10,476 | 10,239 | +2.3% |
| Juvenile Court | 1,697 | 1,728 | -1.8% |
| Total filings (county) | 56,118 | 51,591 | +8.8% |
| Massachusetts statewide total (context) | 779,568 | 713,214 | +9.3% |
Total filings rose 8.8%, or 4,527 cases, between fiscal years 2023 and 2024. District Court had the largest change, up 4,228 cases (+11.1%). Other departments: Superior Court +5.6%; Probate and Family Court +2.3%; Juvenile Court -1.8%. The statewide rows are shown for context only.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Norfolk County?
District Court filings make up the largest share of Norfolk County filings at 75.2%, or 42,203 of the 56,118 filed in fiscal year 2024.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2024 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Court (misdemeanors, traffic, small claims, and civil cases under the limit) | 42,203 | 75.2% | +11.1% |
| Probate and Family Court (probate, guardianship, divorce, paternity, and custody) | 10,476 | 18.7% | +2.3% |
| Superior Court (felonies and larger civil cases) | 1,742 | 3.1% | +5.6% |
| Juvenile Court (delinquency and care and protection matters) | 1,697 | 3.0% | -1.8% |
District Court was the fastest-growing category at +11.1%, while Juvenile Court fell fastest at -1.8%. The source gives no case-type breakdown within each court.
How Does Norfolk County Compare With Massachusetts Overall?
Norfolk County is estimated to account for about 10.38% of the 720,000 cases filed in Massachusetts courts in FY 2024.
| Metric | Norfolk County | Massachusetts | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~74,738 | 720,000 | ~10.38% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+2.9% | +2.9% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~1,779 | 1,800 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~1,730 | 1,750 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~31.9% | 31.9% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~36.1% | 36.1% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~13.9% | 13.9% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Massachusetts figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Massachusetts statewide figures scaled by Norfolk County's 10.38% share of the state population.
Norfolk County Crime Statistics (2024)
These figures are Massachusetts statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not county totals, and agency reporting may be incomplete, so they are not complete statewide totals. County crime counts are not available in this data. Statewide violent crimes fell 1.1% and property crimes fell 0.1% from 2023 to 2024.
22,601
Violent crimes in 2024 (Massachusetts statewide)
80,142
Property crimes in 2024 (Massachusetts statewide)
316.7
Violent crime rate per 100K residents (Massachusetts statewide)
-0.3%
Change in total violent plus property crimes vs 2023 (Massachusetts statewide)
| Offense | 2024 | Rate per 100K | 2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimes (total) | 22,601 | 316.7 | 22,844 | -1.1% |
| Property crimes (total) | 80,142 | 1,123.0 | 80,227 | -0.1% |
Rates per 100K use the 2024 Massachusetts population for both years. Only violent and property totals are available here, with no breakdown by offense. The county violent and property rates are not available, so no county comparison is shown.
Norfolk County Courthouse Locations
Norfolk County has 2 official court locations in the Massachusetts Trial Court listing, in Canton and Dedham. Check your notice or summons for the court and department assigned to your case.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk County Superior Court | 650 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026 | (781) 326-1600 | See location page |
| Norfolk Probate and Family Court | 35 Shawmut Road, Canton, MA 02021 | (781) 830-1200 | See location page |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Norfolk County?
Norfolk County cases are heard by the Superior Court, District Court, Probate and Family Court, and Juvenile Court, depending on the matter. Some matters, such as parking tickets and federal cases, are handled outside these courts.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | District Court | Traffic and civil motor vehicle infraction matters are heard in the District Court. |
| Parking ticket | The issuing city or agency | Parking tickets are handled by the citing agency, not by the courts. |
| Misdemeanor | District Court | The District Court hears misdemeanors and holds preliminary felony hearings. |
| Felony | Superior Court | The Superior Court tries felonies, and the District Court holds preliminary hearings. |
| DUI | District Court or Superior Court | The charge on your paperwork decides which court hears the case. |
| Domestic violence | District Court or Superior Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route. |
| Civil lawsuit | Superior Court or District Court | The District Court hears civil cases under the statutory limit; the Superior Court hears larger civil cases. |
| Small claims | District Court | Small claims are heard in the District Court. |
| Eviction | District Court or Housing Court | Summary process (eviction) cases are heard in the District Court or Housing Court, depending on location. |
| Divorce | Probate and Family Court | Divorce matters are heard in the Probate and Family Court. |
| Child custody or support | Probate and Family Court | Custody, paternity, and support matters are heard in the Probate and Family Court. |
| Probate or estate | Probate and Family Court | Wills, estates, and guardianships are handled by the Probate and Family Court. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Court | Delinquency and care and protection matters go to the Juvenile Court, and many of these records are confidential. |
| Appeal | Massachusetts Appeals Court or Supreme Judicial Court | Appeals go to the Appeals Court or the Supreme Judicial Court. |
Are Norfolk County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Norfolk County court records are public, with exceptions set by the Massachusetts Trial Court's rules on public access to court records.
Public records
Most case files are open to the public under the Trial Court's access rules. The Massachusetts Public Records Law (G.L. c. 66, sec. 10) covers executive agencies and does not itself govern most court case files.
Restricted or confidential records
Criminal offender record information (CORI) is restricted under G.L. c. 6, secs. 167-178 and is not public through the court. Sealed, impounded, juvenile, care and protection, adoption, and mental health records are not publicly available.
Online access
MassCourts provides basic case information and scheduled court dates for cases statewide. It does not replace the court's records, and documents may need to be requested from the clerk.
In-person access
Visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office at 650 High Street, Dedham to view or request records. Call (781) 326-1600 to confirm which office keeps your record.
Fees
This section does not list fees, since the court's fee schedule is not stated here. Ask the court by phone before requesting copies.
How to Search Norfolk County Court Records Online
Use MassCourts for basic case information in Norfolk County matters, and contact the court for documents that are not available online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open MassCourts.org at masscourts.org for basic case information.
- Search by party name or case number, and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case summary for status and scheduled dates.
- Call (781) 326-1600 to request documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | MassCourts | Basic case information and scheduled court dates | Criminal offender record information (CORI) is restricted. |
| Traffic | MassCourts | Basic case information for traffic matters | Coverage varies by court; confirm with the District Court. |
| Civil | MassCourts | Basic case information and scheduled dates | Full documents may require the clerk. |
| Small claims | MassCourts | Basic case information | Confirm coverage and documents with the District Court. |
| Family law | Call the Probate and Family Court at (781) 830-1200 | Case information through the court | Custody and other sensitive matters are restricted. |
| Probate | Call the Probate and Family Court at (781) 830-1200 | Estate and guardianship files kept by the court | Contact the court, since it keeps its own records. |
| Juvenile | Offline; contact the Juvenile Court | Limited information through the court | Juvenile proceedings are confidential and are not publicly available. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Norfolk County
Pay Norfolk County fines and citations by contacting the court that issued the case, using the options below.
- Online: ePay in the Courts is the Trial Court payment service named on mass.gov. Confirm with the court by phone whether your case can be paid through it.
- Phone: Call (781) 326-1600 for Superior Court matters, or the court that issued your citation for traffic matters.
- In person: Visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office at 650 High Street, Dedham for Superior Court fines and costs.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by the courts.
Norfolk County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Norfolk County court records?
Use MassCourts to search by name or case number for basic case information, or contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office at (781) 326-1600.
Are Norfolk County court records public?
Most are, under the Massachusetts Trial Court's public access rules, but sealed, impounded, juvenile, and CORI records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case in Norfolk County?
Search by name in MassCourts, then contact the Superior Court Clerk's Office at (781) 326-1600 to confirm.
How do I find a court date in Norfolk County?
Check your notice and look up scheduled dates in MassCourts, or call the court to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Norfolk County?
Contact the court that issued the citation and ask about payment options, including ePay in the Courts named on mass.gov.
How many cases are filed in Norfolk County each year?
Norfolk County courts recorded 56,118 filings in fiscal year 2024, up 8.8% from 51,591 in fiscal year 2023.
What is the most common type of case in Norfolk County?
District Court cases, with 42,203 filings or 75.2% of the fiscal year 2024 total.
Is crime in Norfolk County rising or falling?
County crime counts are not in this data. Statewide violent crimes fell 1.1% to 22,601 in 2024, and property crimes fell 0.1% to 80,142.
Courts in the County
Brookline District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 360 Washington St, Brookline, MA, 2445 |
| Phone Number: | 617-232-4660 |
| Fax: | 617-739-0734 |
| Website: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/brookline-district-court |
Dedham District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 631 High St., Dedham, MA, 2026 |
| Phone Number: | 781-329-4777 |
| Fax: | 781-320-8249 |
| Website: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/dedham-district-court |
Quincy District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 1 Dennis Ryan Parkway, Quincy, MA, 2169 |
| Phone Number: | 617-471-1650 |
| Fax: | 617-472-1924 |
| Website: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/quincy-district-court |
Stoughton District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 1288 Central St, Stoughton, MA, 2072 |
| Phone Number: | 781-344-2131 |
| Fax: | 781-341-8744 |
| Website: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/stoughton-district-court |
Wrentham District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 60 East St, Wrentham, MA, 2093 |
| Phone Number: | 508-384-3106 |
| Fax: | 508-384-5052 |
| Website: | https://www.mass.gov/locations/wrentham-district-court |
Useful Links
- Norfolk County Superior Court | Mass.gov - Visit this page for information about Norfolk County Superior Court's location, hours, and contact details.
- Massachusetts Trial Court | Mass.gov - Comprehensive resource for Massachusetts Trial Court information including locations, programs, and services available across the state.
- Norfolk County Court Locations | Mass.gov - Find addresses and contact information for various courts in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, including district and probate courts.
- Search Court Dockets, Calendars & Case Information | Mass.gov - Access Massachusetts’ online court case info, dockets, and event calendars quickly and efficiently.
- Norfolk County Registry of Deeds - Access property records and filing services for Norfolk County through this informative and detailed resource.
- Find a Massachusetts Court | Mass.gov - Use this tool to locate any court in Massachusetts including district, housing, and superior courts.
- Probate and Family Court | Mass.gov - Learn about services, forms, and filing information related to probate and family matters in Massachusetts.
- Jury Information | Mass.gov - Offers guidance and details for jurors in Massachusetts, including availability and court expectations.
- MassLegalHelp - Provides free legal information and resources to residents of Massachusetts on various legal issues.
- Court Service Centers | Mass.gov - Learn about centers providing court users with assistance and access to computers for court matters.
- Middlesex Probate and Family Court Archives - Provider for probate and family resource access for Norfolk County and surrounding regions.
- Legal Services | Mass.gov - Find information on legal aid, self-help resources, and pro bono services provided statewide.
- Appeals Court | Mass.gov - Discover process, court guidance, and decisions for cases in the Massachusetts Appeals Court system.
- Request Copies of Court Documents | Mass.gov - Instructions on how to request accessible copies of court documents and records in Massachusetts courts.
- Boston Municipal Court | Mass.gov - Information on court jurisdictions, services, and case operations for Boston and Norfolk regions.
- Massachusetts iCORI - Use Massachusetts’ online system for accessing criminal offender record (CORI) information as permitted by state laws.
- Superior Court | Mass.gov - Learn about Massachusetts Superior Courts including practice areas, locations, and case guidelines.
- Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries - Access legal reference materials and assistance through Massachusetts’ trial court law library network.
- Massachusetts Court System Overview | Mass.gov - An overview of the state’s court system structure, operations, and jurisdictional coverage.
- Housing Court | Mass.gov - Gain insights into Massachusetts Housing Court operations and services related to tenancy and housing disputes.
Table of Contents
- Norfolk County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Norfolk County Court Records
- Norfolk County Court Statistics (FY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Norfolk County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Norfolk County?
- How Does Norfolk County Compare With Massachusetts Overall?
- Norfolk County Crime Statistics (2024)
- Norfolk County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Norfolk County?
- Are Norfolk County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Norfolk County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Norfolk County
- Norfolk County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links