Budget Cuts Force Many Massachusetts Courts to Close Early

Starting this past Monday, thirty-eight courts in Massachusetts began cutting hours for clerks and registers due to budget cuts, staff shortages, and backlogs. The reduction in hours are said not to affect court sessions and that staff offices will be available for emergencies.

The following district courts will have restricted counter and telephone coverage: Attleboro, Barnstable, East Brookfield, Fall River, Framingham, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Natick, Newburyport, Palmer, Somerville, Springfield, Stoughton, Taunton, Uxbridge, Waltham, Westborough, Woburn and Wrentham.

The Western Division of the Housing Court and the Springfield Divisions of the Juvenile Court and Land Court will similarly have restricted counter and telephone coverage.

All Probate & Family Courts will have restricted hours after 3:00 P.M.

Source: The Patriot Ledger: "38 Massachusetts courts reduce public office hours because of budget cuts"

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