Massachusetts court guide
Bristol County Superior Court
Bristol County Superior Court hears the most serious criminal cases from the cities and towns of Bristol County. Mass.gov lists criminal matters at its Taunton and Fall River locations and civil matters only at its New Bedford location.
Locations, hours, and phone numbers
Your paperwork names your location. All three list the probation line, 508-491-3300, and the probation office is at 186 S. Main St., Suite 302, Fall River.
| Location | Address | Handles | Clerk’s Office | Hours, Monday to Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taunton | 9 Court St., Taunton, MA 02780 | Criminal matters only | 508-823-6588 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Fall River | 186 S. Main St., Fall River, MA 02721 | Criminal matters only | 508-491-3300 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| New Bedford | 441 County St., 1st Floor, New Bedford, MA 02740 | Civil matters only | 508-996-2051 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
What the Superior Court hears
The Superior Court is the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction. It has exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murder and original jurisdiction over all other crimes and civil actions over $50,000. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office represents the Commonwealth in criminal cases.
How a case gets here
Most criminal cases begin in District Court, even serious ones. When a grand jury returns an indictment, the District Court complaint is dismissed and the case moves to Superior Court. You are notified and must appear here on the arraignment date.
What happens at arraignment
Go first to the Superior Court probation office for an intake interview. In the courtroom, the charges are read and a not guilty plea is usually entered. The judge can appoint a lawyer if you qualify, may hold a bail or dangerousness hearing, and usually sets a pretrial conference date.
Bring every paper you have about the case and plan to stay at least three hours. Indictments appear on MassCourts (masscourts.org), where most criminal cases can only be found by docket number.
Parking, transit, and security
Court officers screen visitors with metal detectors and X-ray machines, and weapons are not allowed. Phones must be off or silent and put away before you enter a courtroom.
- Taunton: paid parking lots nearby. For transit, mass.gov points to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority, 508-999-5211.
- Fall River: metered street parking and paid garages nearby. Mass.gov says the Southeastern Transit Authority serves the court.
- New Bedford: metered parking around the building and the Elm Street garage several blocks away. The SRTA bus terminal is three blocks away.
How we help
We review the indictment and the evidence, prepare you for arraignment and any bail or dangerousness hearing, and appear with you. Lisa DiLibero, Esq., is admitted in Massachusetts and handles the firm’s Massachusetts matters, and Dylan C. DiLibero, Esq., appears in all Massachusetts state courts. We answer. We listen. We fight.
Frequently asked questions
Mass.gov lists three locations: 9 Court St. in Taunton and 186 S. Main St. in Fall River for criminal matters, and 441 County St. in New Bedford for civil matters.
Yes. If a District Court judge sets bail, you have the right to appeal the amount to a Superior Court judge.
All of Bristol County: Acushnet, Attleboro, Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Mansfield, New Bedford, North Attleborough, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, and Westport.
Yes, at the New Bedford location, which mass.gov says handles only civil matters. The Superior Court hears civil cases over $50,000.
Next step
Have a date at Bristol County Superior Court?
Call 401-621-9700 or request a consultation. The first conversation is free.