Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Specialty Courts

The Specialty Courts are a division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts criminal justice system focused on probation and treatment. The purpose of Speciality Courts are to act as solution-oriented gatherings which consider parameters for court-supervised probation and treatment alternatives to incarceration. As Massachusetts shifts toward alternatives to incarceration, the role of Specialty Courts has grown. They currently consider individuals with chemical dependence disorders, documented mental health needs and issues related to veteran status. While these courts do offer alternatives to incarceration, participants must be aware that the requirements for chemical dependence treatment are rigorous. Failure to meet the parameters of court supervision or court mandated treatment may result in incarceration. These parameters often include regular drug testing, direct supervision and mandated therapeutic services. For more information about services covered or cases considered by the Speciality Courts division, individuals are encouraged to contact the office directly or through their designated attorney.