Massachusetts G.L. c. 258E · Worcester County
Preparing to respond to — or file — a G.L. c. 258E harassment prevention order at Clinton District Court in Clinton, Massachusetts. Serving Clinton, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Harvard, Lancaster, Sterling, West Boylston. Attorney-reviewed preparation built for this court.
Clinton District Court hears Massachusetts G.L. c. 258E harassment prevention order cases for Clinton, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Harvard, Lancaster, Sterling, and West Boylston. Whether you were served with a temporary order and have a 10-day hearing approaching, or you are the person seeking protection, the judge decides the case on specific dates, incidents, and evidence — not general impressions. The preparation you do before you reach the courthouse at 300 Boylston Street in Clinton is what shapes the outcome.
A 258E harassment prevention order is generally filed in the district court that covers the city or town where the harassment occurred — or where you or the other party live. Clinton District Court hears 258E cases from:
If your case is in one of these communities, it is likely heard here. If you received a summons, the court is listed on it — always follow the summons.
A G.L. c. 258E extension hearing at Clinton District Court typically lasts 10–30 minutes. The plaintiff speaks first, then the defendant. The judge applies the 258E standard: whether the defendant committed three or more acts of willful and malicious conduct aimed at a specific person that caused fear, intimidation, abuse, or damage to property — or one qualifying single act. Your preparation packet should directly address each allegation.
Check in at the clerk's office
Tell the clerk you are here for a 258E extension hearing. Bring your summons or order. The clerk's number is (978) 368-7811.
Go through courthouse security
Arrive 30 minutes early. You will go through a metal detector. No weapons, no pepper spray. Phones must be silenced once inside the courtroom.
Wait in the designated area
The clerk will tell you where to wait. 258E hearings are typically held in a general session courtroom. Listen for your name.
Present your case to the judge
You will each get a chance to speak. Address the judge as 'Your Honor.' Refer to your preparation packet. Speak slowly and directly to the judge — not to the opposing party.
The judge issues a ruling
The judge will either extend the order, modify it, or vacate it. If the order is extended, you have the right to appeal to the Superior Court within 30 days.
Under G.L. c. 258E, the plaintiff must prove — by a preponderance of the evidence — that you committed three or more willful and malicious acts directed at a specific person that caused fear, intimidation, abuse, or property damage, or committed one act of violence or forced sexual relations. A defense at Clinton works by undercutting one or more of those elements:
Key defense arguments
Filing a 258E at Clinton District Court starts at the clerk's office with the complaint, your sworn affidavit, and the plaintiff confidential information form. The affidavit is the heart of the case: it must set out at least three separate acts of willful, malicious harassment — or one qualifying act of force, a threat, or coercion — each anchored to a date the judge can follow. Vague timelines are the most common reason orders are denied at the 10-day hearing.
258E courts & official forms →258E harassment prevention order hearings are held at Clinton District Court, 300 Boylston Street, Clinton, MA 01510. Check in at the clerk's office and tell them you are there for a 258E hearing. Free parking lot available at the courthouse.
Clinton District Court covers harassment prevention order cases for Clinton, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Harvard, Lancaster, Sterling, and West Boylston. A 258E is generally filed where the harassment occurred or where a party lives, so if your situation is in one of these communities, the case is likely heard here. If you received a summons, follow the court listed on it.
Violating a 258E order is a separate criminal offense under Massachusetts law and can lead to arrest and charges — independent of the civil order itself. If you have an order against you, understanding exactly what it prohibits is critical before any contact.
No — a lawyer is not required at a 258E hearing. But because the order can affect your firearms rights, housing, employment, and any related criminal exposure, going in prepared is essential. Harassment Order .com delivers an attorney-reviewed preparation packet built for your Clinton hearing as a lower-cost alternative to full representation.
300 Boylston Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Free parking lot available at the courthouse.
Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled hearing time. Security lines can be slow, especially on busy court days. Clerk's office is typically open 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday–Friday.
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Court contact
Clerk's office
(978) 368-7811Address
300 Boylston Street, Clinton, MA 01510
County
Worcester County
Official listing
mass.gov →Nearby 258E courts
Free legal help
Community Legal Aid provides free civil legal services, including help with harassment and abuse prevention orders, to low-income and elderly residents across central and western Massachusetts.
(855) 252-5342