Juvenile Court Cases Return To Brookline After Just 2 Days

BROOKLINE, MA — Just two days after Brookline juvenile court cases were transferred to Dedham, the Massachusetts court system has rescinded the move, officially returning the cases to Brookline District Court.

The rescission comes after local political action group Brookline PAX and several local officials, including District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Brookline Police Chief Mark Morgan, and Brookline Select Board member Bernard Greene, denounced Chief Justice Paul Dawley's decision to move the town's juvenile court cases from Brookline District Court to Norfolk County Juvenile Court starting Tuesday, September 7.

“I credit Brookline’s legislative delegation and Select Board for really stepping up immediately,” said Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey in a statement. “If I had been the only voice in this fight, I don’t know that we would have seen a favorable resolution so quickly.”

Morrissey first learned of the decision on August 26 from Brookline attorney and human rights activist Susan K. Howards, who also reached out to Rep. Tommy Vitolo and State Senator Cynthia Creem to begin a discussion. These officials then asked the juvenile court to consult stakeholders before the transfer and consider that the decision would create an access to justice issue that would disproportionately affect minority youth.

“I am gratified that my work with DA Michael Morrissey, Senator Creem, and the rest of the Brookline delegation persuaded the judicial branch of the importance of continuing to hear juvenile cases in the Brookline District Court, where local youth can be supported in-person by social workers, teachers, police officers, and other advocates,” said Rep. Tommy Vitolo in a statement.

According to a letter sent from the trial court to stakeholders Thursday morning, cases will still be heard in Brookline on certain days. At other times, enhanced technology will be used for virtual hearings.