Massachusetts G.L. c. 258E · Essex County
Preparing to respond to — or file — a G.L. c. 258E harassment prevention order at Lawrence District Court in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Serving Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Methuen. Attorney-reviewed preparation built for this court.
Lawrence District Court is where Massachusetts 258E harassment prevention order hearings are held for Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, and Methuen. These cases — neighbor disputes, online harassment, and conflicts that fall outside the family and dating relationships a 209A covers — are heard under G.L. c. 258E. For a defendant or a plaintiff in Lawrence, the judge rules on the three or more willful, malicious acts the statute requires, so a clear, dated account of events matters most.
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. Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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) 687-7184.
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 Lawrence works by undercutting one or more of those elements:
Key defense arguments
If you are seeking a 258E order through Lawrence District Court, you file the complaint, your affidavit, and the confidential information form with the clerk. For the order to issue or be extended, the affidavit must show three or more willful, malicious acts directed at you (or one qualifying act of force or a threat) — laid out incident by incident, with dates. A disorganized narrative is the fastest route to a continuance.
258E courts & official forms →258E harassment prevention order hearings are held at Lawrence District Court, 2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA 01840. Check in at the clerk's office and tell them you are there for a 258E hearing. Municipal parking lot nearby.
Lawrence District Court covers harassment prevention order cases for Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, and Methuen. 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.
A 258E extension hearing typically lasts 10 to 30 minutes. The plaintiff speaks first, then the defendant, and the judge decides whether to extend, modify, or vacate the temporary order. Cases are heard in a general session, so arrive early and wait for your name.
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.
2 Appleton Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Municipal parking lot nearby.
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) 687-7184Address
2 Appleton Street, Lawrence, MA 01840
County
Essex County
Official listing
mass.gov →Nearby 258E courts
Free legal help
Northeast Legal Aid (NLA) provides free civil legal services, including representation in restraining and harassment order cases, to income-eligible residents of the Merrimack Valley and the north-of-Boston region.