Gloucester City, Essex County, Massachusetts Crime Index
The official crime statistics for the City of Gloucester registered a total of 644 crimes in 2019 including 58 violent crimes, 164 property crimes, and 58 drunk driving offenses (OUI). On closer examination, the city recorded,
58 Violent crimes
- 7 rapes
- 1 robbery
- 50 aggravated assaults
164 Property crimes
- 21 burglaries
- 130 larcenies
- 13 motor vehicle thefts
When compared to the report of 2015, these figures represent a 26% decrease in the city’s crime rate. The reported incidents of robbery dropped by 83%, aggravated assault by 21%, burglary by 34%, larceny by 26%, motor vehicle theft by 19%, and arson by 100%. Within the same period, reported cases of rape increased by 250%, while the rate of murder remained the same.
Gloucester District Court
Gloucester District Court hears an array of Gloucester City cases involving criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other matters. The court has jurisdiction over felonies with a potential penalty of five-year imprisonment or more and also conducts preliminary hearings for other types of felonies. It handles misdemeanors, municipal ordinance violations, and traffic offenses. Trial court statistics for the 2020 fiscal year indicated that the court received a total of 617 criminal case filings and 16 search warrants.
The Gloucester District Court also adjudicates civil claims for money damages less than $50,000, small claims not exceeding $7,000, and specialized proceedings including:
- Abuse prevention restraining orders
- Appeals from certain administrative agencies
- Inquests
- Eviction proceedings
- Enforcement of money judgments
- Civil motor vehicle infractions
- Equitable injunctions
- Miscellaneous civil matters
In compliance with Covid 19 guidelines issued by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Council, the Gloucester District Court currently conducts most of its operations remotely, save for the following activities which may require an in-person appearance
- Activities at the Clerk’s Office
- Meeting with a probation officer or staff person
- Petitions for substance use disorder commitments
- Petitions for mental health commitments
- Show Cause hearings (unless the clerk orders a virtual hearing)
- Warrant Removals
- Criminal Arraignments
- Criminal Evidentiary Hearing on motion or request
- Abuse Prevention Orders
- Harassment Prevention Orders
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders
The Gloucester District Court offers other services including the adult drug court, legal assistance through the lawyer for the day program, and provision of court records. Records of the court’s proceedings are publicly accessible via the Massachusetts Trial Court Electronic Case Access Portal. For more information about the court’s current mode of operation, interested persons may visit the court’s Virtual Service Center, or contact the Clerk’s Office.
Gloucester District Court
197 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: (978) 283-2620 (Clerk’s Office)
Phone:(978) 283-1440 (Probation Department)
Fax: (978) 283-8784 (Clerk’s Office)
Fax: (978) 283-8743 (Probation Department)
Email: cmgloucesterdc@jud.state.ma.us
Essex County Superior Court
The Essex Superior Court hears all Gloucester civil and criminal cases that exceed the jurisdiction of other courts that serve the city. The court has jurisdiction over civil claims involving over $50,000 money damages, as well as requests for equitable relief. It also adjudicates labor disputes, naturalization proceedings, and medical malpractice tribunals.
The court also has exclusive original jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases, original jurisdiction with respect to other crimes, and appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative proceedings. According to trial court statistics, the Essex County Superior Court recorded a total of 1,116 criminal case entries in the 2020 fiscal year.
Interested parties may access court records through the Electronic Case Access System. Residents may contact the Clerk’s Office for more information at
Essex County Superior Court
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 744-5500 (Clerk's Office)
Phone: (978) 825-4880 (Probation Department)
Fax: (978) 741-0691 (Clerk's Office)
Fax: (978) 741-4368 (Probation Department)
Email: Essex.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic health concerns, in-person access to the courthouse is currently limited to the following purposes
- In-person court proceedings (if ordered by the court)
- Activities at the clerk's office
- Meeting with a probation officer or probation staff person
- Activities at other courthouse offices that are open to the public
To explore virtual options, interested parties may visit the Virtual Service Center, or send their inquiries to the Office of the Court Clerk using the address above.
Essex County Juvenile Court
The Essex County Juvenile Court has authority over juvenile delinquency, child protection, and guardianship matters emanating from Gloucester City. The court also handles cases involving adoption, termination of parental rights, and certain adult criminal cases involving minors. Trial Court Statistics shows that the court received a total of 3,473 case filings in the 2020 fiscal year.
Records and proceedings of the Essex County Juvenile Court are restricted from public access but open to parties to the case, and parties authorized by the court to do so.
The Essex Juvenile Court currently operates virtually in line with Covid-19 protocols. It may however order a physical appearance where necessary.
Essex County Juvenile Court - Salem
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 745-9660 x1 (Clerk’s Office)
Phone:(978) 745-9601 x2 (Probation Department)
Email: essex-jccallctr@jud.state.ma.us
Essex Probate and Family Court
The Essex Probate and Family Court has general jurisdiction over Gloucester City probate and family matters including cases relating to
- Paternity
- Child support
- Termination of parental rights
- Custody
- Parenting time
- Adoption
- Divorce
- Abuse prevention
The court also handles cases on conservatorships, wills, change of name, trusts, guardianships, and estates. In the 2020 fiscal year, the court recorded a total of 13,991 case filings.
The court maintains records of
- Certificate of Divorce Absolute
- Letters of Authority or Appointment; Personal Representatives/Guardians
- Docket Page
- Attested Copies of documents in a court file
- Unattested Copies of documents in a court file
Interested parties may request a copy of their records online via the Electronic Case Access System provided by the Massachusetts Trial Court Department. Residents requesting in person or by mail are required to complete the Request for Copies form and send it along with payment to the courthouse located at
Essex Probate and Family Court
36 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 744-1020
Email: Essexcorrespondences@jud.state.ma.us
Northeast Housing Court
The Northeast Housing Court adjudicates Gloucester City’s civil and criminal matters pertaining to the health and safety of residential buildings. The court handles civil matters encompassing such areas as personal injury, breach of contract, property damage, and discrimination. It also receives Gloucester case appeals from the local zoning board.
The Northeast Housing Court hears criminal proceedings concerning the violations of state and municipal building codes, sanitation codes, and other residential housing regulations. According to Trial Court Statistics, the court recorded a total of 56 criminal case entries in the 2020 fiscal year and disposed of 50 criminal cases.
Litigants at the court may choose to resolve their cases through mediation. The court’s Housing specialists are responsible for conducting mediation proceedings, but agreements reached during a mediation require validation by a judge before they can be enforced. During the 2020 fiscal year, over 50% of the court’s litigants were self-represented.
Like other courts serving Gloucester, the Northeast Housing Court currently adopts alternatives to in-person visits such as videoconferencing, email, and telephone for conducting most of its activities.
Northeast Housing Court - Salem Session
56 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone:(978) 825-4920 (Clerk’s Office and Housing Specialist Department)
Email: NortheastHousingCourt@jud.state.ma.us
Massachusetts Land Court
The Massachusetts Land Court has jurisdiction over Gloucester city real property cases, ranging from registration of title to zoning, and real estate tax lien. The court recorded a caseload of 26,037 cases during the 2020 fiscal year.
Massachusetts Land Court
3 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 788-7470
Fax: (617) 788-8951
Supreme Judicial Court (SJC)
The SJC is the apex court. The court entertains appeals of all Gloucester cases from the Appeals Court. It has appellate jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases instituted at the Superior Court to the exclusion of other courts. The SJC recorded 194 case entries and dismissed 14 cases during the 2018 fiscal year.
The SJC presently adjudicates cases through video conference or written decision without conducting an oral hearing. Individuals may contact the court at
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court - John Adams Courthouse
1 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 557-1000
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Appeals Court
The Appeals Court has appellate jurisdiction over all Gloucester civil and criminal cases except first-degree murder cases. It also receives case appeals from the Appellate Tax Board, the Department of Industrial Accidents, and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The court heard a total of 736 criminal case appeals and disposed of 429 cases during the 2020 fiscal year alone. The Appeals Court currently performs most of its functions remotely in line with Covid 19 protocols.
Massachusetts Appeals Court - John Adams Courthouse
1 Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 921-4443
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Endicott College
Endicott College is a private higher institution with an annex campus in Gloucester. According to the Campus Safety and Security portal of the US Department of Education, the institution did not record any crime within its Gloucester campus between 2016 and 2018.
Endicott College
33 Commercial Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone: (978) 927-0585
