Malden District Court

4040 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA 02155

"Recently I had to go here & due to the seriousness of the reason why I was there, I have to say that I am very grateful for all the help I received from everyone there. From the clerk's office, who helped me correct the paperwork that I submitted wrong to the bailiffs, who answered my questions & put me at ease & finally to the judge who took my case & listened carefully but also impartially as i plead my case. The courthouse was extremely busy but fair STILL in all the previous cases that came before me. It was clean & organized thru out the building including the restroom. My only complaint is that it was a bit too "chilly" as the a/c was on full blast! Would recommend to anyone who has business to attend there, to bring a lightweight jacket or sweater with them especially if you're wearing a T-shirt & shorts or even a dress/skirt. Otherwise, it was a rather pleasant experience even though I was anxious about my case."

"I had to grab a document for my mother and the man working in the front (Malden district - he also speaks Spanish) was so kind and helpful. I wished I asked for his name but I hope this individual gets promoted. As for the females there, I understand the job must be hard and stressful, but they should consider asking their male co-worker his secret to being be happy and patient."

"Overall I feel all staff are good people and just trying to do thier jobs...people tend to say bad things about the court because they got into trouble..or are impatient. It's a small courthouse overloaded with criminals more and more every year..So be patient with staff and CO's"

"The clerks office is the worst office to go to they are very impatient and make you feel like you are an inconvenience to them. The major inconvenience to me was that they had left a case "open" on my record that had been closed for over a year!!! So whenever my CORI was run it would show up that it was still an open and active case. I'm enrolled in medical schooling and had almost been administratively withdrawn because of their mistake and because they aren't on top of their jobs and let things like this (and peoples lives) just slide. Absolutely NO ONE there would write a letter saying that it was closed and they gave me copies of the dockets and the disposition but not everyone can read it and know what happened and that it's closed! I couldn't even get anyone to write that it was closed on those papers!! I was in tears practically begging them explaining that I would lose everything I had worked for! I could not go back to school without it and you can only miss a certain amount of hours where it is only a 10week course and I needed this letter as soon as possible. They said they would change it on my CORI and have the school rerun it which cost another $30 which I shouldn't have had to pay for their mistake! Also who knows how many job opportunities I've lost because of my CORI and anything else pertaining to a CORI check! This must have ruined several opportunities I could have had to better my life and get ahead but instead their laziness and lack of caring about others or just labeling everyone a loser who won't change ruined ALOT of things for me.it would have taken about a week for the whole CORI process to be redone so I brought the docket notes and luckily a woman at school worked in a probation department before and could read them and confirmed they were close so I got to go back next day and missed minimal hours. But I still did have to pay for another CORI. When I asked probation and my old probation officer for a letter they said 1st off they Don't write letters so my old probation officer should have and she said she wouldn't - it amazes me that they don't care about people and them succeeding. If I was still on probation she would have written the letter. They need to care more about bettering people and helping them and not putting them away! I'm doing amazing and have for 18months and I'm putting hard work in to have a good successful life. It was horrible to see that they could have cared less and weren't even happy to see someone doing so well. This system needs to be changed to HELP people and get rid of the stigma!! The employees need to be more caring and sympathetic and understanding!! Also the c.o's in lock up (not all I love most of the ladies and a few others - one moved to bmc he as the best!) Are extremely rude and treat people inhumane I know they deal with a lot but they should put themselves in their shoes there's no reason to call people derogatory names like junkies, losers, bring up their kids, etc. Its horrible and it's horrible to brush people off when they ask you a question it's horrible being down there and I'm glad my life is on track now I wish I could make a change there but just one person can't. I just always have had bad experiences there it's been yrs since I've been in any trouble and I want to help others change also! This court is horrible!"

"Really not sure how one "reviews" a court house as I have a feeling that you're pretty much stuck with these places. Without calling anyone out specifically, there's a person that works in the clerk's office that is extremely unhelpful and quite rude. Unfortunately, I've had to take a couple people to court for non-payment in regards to my business and also another company for damaging our house. Every time I've gone to the clerks office in order to submit paperwork or if I have questions, that one person always manages to run to the front desk and make some snide, know-it-all remark with a major hints of impatience. Courts are designed to serve the people and not the other way around. Massachusetts law, especially concerning small claims court specifically states that many people attending the court are not familiar with the laws and procedures plus may be under severe stress, therefore it's important that the clerk's office recognizes that this is often the case and needs to be considerate and helpful (with the exception that they cannot provide legal advice aside from procedure.) Unfortunately, I've found the few times I've been in there that the people working in that office are highly impatient, snappy, and argumentative. While I recognize these people have to deal with some very troubled people, they need to realize that they are there to serve the taxpayer and not everyone that walks through the door is a loser. In fact, it's a shame that anyone that has to go there (guilty of wrongdoing or not) has to deal with the clerk's office employees attitudes of being pre-judged. Their general attitude is so bad and paints the town of Malden in such a negative light, that I felt obligated to contact the state court justice that's in charge of overseeing Massachusetts courts. It's been several weeks and I haven't heard any reply from this justice. With my latest visit today to submit paperwork, nothing had changed. In summary, the main issue is that court employees are often immune to losing their jobs or feel entitled and empowered in their positions. They should not be exerting an impatient attitude on citizens seeking their help. There simply needs to be a simple way to fire some of these employees or at least make it known that treating the public poorly will not be tolerated as they should be positive ambassadors of the legal system."