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Winthrop City, Massachusetts Crime Index

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Winthrop Crime Index

In 2019, Winthrop City, Suffolk County, recorded a 1% decline in reported crime rates compared to 2018. The 2019 crime rate was an estimated 1,926 per 100,000 people. The City recorded 168 crimes consisting of 37 violent crimes, 129 property crimes, and two OUI offenses.

The violent crimes included

  • Zero homicides
  • Two rapes
  • Six robberies
  • 29 aggravated assaults

The property crimes included

  • 11 burglaries
  • 102 larcenies
  • 16 motor vehicle thefts
  • Zero arsons

Compared to the 2018 crime statistics, there was a decline in rape by 67%, burglary by 54%, arson from one to zero, and OUI offenses by 50%. There was an increase in cases of robbery by 200%, aggravated assault by 45%, larceny by 24%, and motor vehicle theft by 167%. The number of homicides remained the same.

Suffolk Superior Court

The Suffolk Superior Court exercises jurisdiction over cases emanating from Winthrop city and has exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murder charges. It also hears civil actions over $50,000, cases where an equitable remedy is sought, and labor disputes where the plaintiff seeks injunctive relief. Cases from Medical malpractice Tribunals may be brought before the Suffolk Superior Court.

The Court conducts some of its hearings remotely and parties may join by phone or video. Interested parties may also contact the Court by phone or email for inquiries.

The Superior Court Report for the 2020 fiscal year recorded 4,668 case entries consisting of 3,346 civil case entries and 1,322 criminal case entries. The Court is open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Suffolk Superior Court

3 Pemberton Square,

Boston, MA 02108

Email: Suffolkcivil.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us (Civil Clerk’s Office)

Email: Suffolkcriminal.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us (Criminal Clerk’s Office)

Boston Municipal court

The Boston Municipal Court, East Boston Division, exercises both criminal and civil jurisdiction over cases arising from Winthrop. The criminal cases heard by the court include felonies and misdemeanors with punishments below a state prison sentence, felonies punishable by an imprisonment term of five years or less. The civil cases often brought before the court include

  • Contract or tort actions where the recovery is not likely to be more than $50,000
  • Small claims where the recovery is not likely to be more than $7,000
  • Summary process (eviction) cases
  • Supplementary process (collection on a judgment) cases
  • Mental health cases
  • Cases concerning civil motor vehicle violations
  • Abuse prevention/restraining orders and harassment prevention orders
  • Violations of certain city or town ordinances and bylaws

The Court includes an Adult Drug Court.

The East Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court received 4,642 case filings in the 2020 fiscal year.

Boston Municipal Court, East Boston Division

37 Meridian St.,

East Boston, MA 02128

Phone: (617) 569-7550 press 5 (Clerk’s Office)

Phone: (617) 569-7553 press 3 (Probation Department)

Phone: (617) 569-7550 ext 155 (TTY)

Fax: (617) 561-4988 (Clerk’s Office)

Fax: (617) 569-8458 (Probation Department)

Email: bmceastboston@jud.state.ma.us

Mondays to Fridays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Eastern Housing Court

The Eastern Housing Court, Chelsea Session, serves Winthrop and hears both criminal and civil cases concerning residential buildings. It may grant search warrants and

hears

  • Small claims
  • Criminal cases concerning the violation of a local ordinance or state code on residential housing
  • Summary process (eviction)
  • Claims for breach of contract, property damage, personal injury, and discrimination.

Housing Specialists under the administration of the Eastern Housing Court assist individuals with filing cases and provide them with information on housing laws. The Court also holds virtual hearings. Parties to these hearings may join by phone or video. Parties may use the electronic filing platform for filing certain cases.

In the 2020 fiscal year, the Eastern Housing Court received 10,144 case entries. This included 6,769 trial cases and 3,375 ADR cases. The Court completed 6,322 cases. The Court hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays and Fridays.

Eastern Housing Court, Chelsea Session

120 Broadway,

Chelsea, MA 02150

Phone: (617) 788-8485 (Clerk’s Office)

Phone: (617) 788-6233 (Housing Specialist Department)

Email: EasternHousingCourt@jud.state.ma.us

Suffolk County Juvenile Court

The Suffolk County Juvenile Court serves Winthrop. The Court includes the Boston Juvenile Court and the Chelsea Juvenile Court. The Boston site hears cases concerning care and protection, child requiring assistance, and jury trials. The Chelsea site hears delinquency, harassment, and criminal cases. Both locations can hear Winthrop juvenile substance abuse and mental illness cases. The Suffolk County Juvenile Court exercises jurisdiction over juveniles between 12 and 18 years old.

The Suffolk County Juvenile Court received 3,061 case filings in the 2020 fiscal year. Both the Chelsea and Boston locations are open from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Boston Juvenile Court

24 New Chardon St.,

P.O. Box 9663,

Boston, MA 02114

Phone: (617) 788-8525 (Clerk’s Office)

Phone: (617) 788-8571 (Probation Department)

Fax: (617) 788-8991 (Clerk’s Office)

Fax: (617) 788-8972 (Probation Department)

Email: suffolk-jccallctr@jud.state.ma.us

Chelsea Juvenile Court

120 Broadway,

Chelsea, MA 02150

Phone: (617) 660-9225 (Clerk’s Office)

Phone: (617) 660-9241 (Probation Department)

Fax: (617) 660-9222 (Probation Department)

Email: suffolk-jccallctr@jud.state.ma.us

Massachusetts Land Court

The Massachusetts Land Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the registration of real property titles in Winthrop and disputes arising from such registrations. It also exclusively hears cases concerning foreclosure and redemption of real estate tax liens. The Court has concurrent jurisdiction over

  • Fulfillment of real estate contracts
  • Making a decision to partition real estate
  • Other property matters

Although the Court is based in Boston, it may hold its session anywhere in Massachusetts. Parties before the court may access virtual assistance services to obtain information and guidance on court-related matters and remote hearing processes. The court hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays. The Court has a Permit Session for addressing cases involving some uses of land and environmental permits for projects.

The Massachusetts Land Court received 26,037 cases in the 2020 fiscal year. There were also 128 Condominium approvals and 1,871 deed approvals.

Massachusetts Land Court

3 Pemberton Square,

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 788-7470

Fax: (617) 788-8951

Suffolk Probate and Family Court

The Suffolk Probate and Family Court hears family and probate matters in Winthrop. The Court has jurisdiction over

  • Abuse prevention
  • Adoption
  • Change of name
  • Child support
  • Divorce
  • Estates
  • Guardianship
  • Parenting time
  • Paternity
  • Termination of parental rights
  • Trusts
  • Wills

The Court provides a court clinic to interested persons. To qualify for the court clinic, the individual must be a low-income earner and be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the United States of America. The Court also has a virtual registry to provide information and guidance to individuals. Cases concerning the guardianship of an incapacitated person, estate and administration, and some divorce cases may be filed electronically.

The Suffolk Probate and Family Court received 11,576 filed cases in the 2020 fiscal year. Court hours are between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Suffolk Probate and Family Court

24 New Chardon St.,

Boston, MA 02114

Phone: (617) 788-8301 (Registrar’s Office)

Phone: (617) 788-8210 (Probation Department)

Fax: (617) 788-8962 (Registrar’s Office)

Fax: (617) 788-8957 (Probation Department)

Email: Suffolkquestions@jud.state.ma.us

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is Massachusetts’ highest appellate court. The Court has jurisdiction over appeals from criminal and civil matters. Its seven justices sit between September and May to hear the appeals. It also has exclusive jurisdiction in appeals from first-degree murder convictions by the Suffolk Superior Court. The Court also has Single Justice Sessions throughout the year for

  • Bar discipline proceedings
  • Petitions for admission to the bar
  • Bail review
  • Some specific motions from cases on trial or appeal
  • Other statutory proceedings

The Court hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

1 Pemberton Square,

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 557-1000

Massachusetts Appeals Court

The Massachusetts Appeals Court hears cases that are appealed from trial courts serving Winthrop. The Court has jurisdiction over appeals in criminal and civil cases, it also hears appeals from decisions of the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident Board, and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board on only questions of law and not questions of fact. The Court’s jurisdiction is not absolute. It cannot hear some appeal cases, such as appeals concerning first-degree murder convictions.

Parties before the Appeals Court may file some cases electronically.

Massachusetts Appeals Court

1 Pemberton Square,

Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 921-4443

Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.