Massachusetts G.L. c. 258E · Middlesex County
Preparing to respond to — or file — a G.L. c. 258E harassment prevention order at Lowell District Court in Lowell, Massachusetts. Serving Lowell, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough. Attorney-reviewed preparation built for this court.
Lowell District Court hears G.L. c. 258E harassment prevention order cases from Lowell, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, and Tyngsborough in the Merrimack Valley. The Hurd Street courthouse handles a heavy civil and criminal list, and 258E extension hearings are slotted into general sessions — meaning preparation and a clear, dated account of events are what separate a strong showing from a continuance. Whether you are responding to an order or seeking one, the judge rules on the specific acts you can prove.
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. Lowell 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 Lowell 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) 459-4101.
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 Lowell works by undercutting one or more of those elements:
Key defense arguments
Filing a 258E at Lowell District Court begins at the clerk's office with the complaint, affidavit, and confidential information form. Your affidavit needs to establish three or more separate, willful, malicious acts directed at you — or one qualifying act of force, a threat, or coercion — each tied to a date. In a busy Merrimack Valley session, the clearer your timeline, the faster a judge can act on it.
258E courts & official forms →258E hearings are held at Lowell District Court, 41 Hurd Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Check in at the clerk's office for the 258E list. A municipal garage on Arcand Drive serves the courthouse, and the Lowell Commuter Rail station is nearby.
Lowell District Court covers harassment prevention orders for Lowell, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, and Tyngsborough. Nearby towns such as Westford and Dunstable are heard at Ayer District Court instead, so confirm your court before you go.
Go to the court listed on your summons. A 258E is filed where the harassment occurred or where a party lives, so a case can land in Lowell even if you live elsewhere. Your physical location does not change which court hears the matter — the summons controls.
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 out of Lowell, understanding exactly what it prohibits is critical before any contact.
41 Hurd Street
Lowell, MA 01852
A municipal parking garage on Arcand Drive serves the courthouse. By transit, the MBTA Commuter Rail (Lowell Line) terminates at Lowell station, a short distance away. Arrive 30 minutes early for security.
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) 459-4101Address
41 Hurd Street, Lowell, MA 01852
County
Middlesex 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. Staff assistance is available in several languages.