Massachusetts G.L. c. 258E · Bristol County
Preparing to respond to — or file — a G.L. c. 258E harassment prevention order at New Bedford District Court in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Serving New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown, Westport. Attorney-reviewed preparation built for this court.
New Bedford District Court is where Massachusetts 258E harassment prevention order hearings are held for New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown, and Westport. 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 New Bedford, 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. New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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 (508) 999-9700.
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 New Bedford works by undercutting one or more of those elements:
Key defense arguments
Filing a 258E at New Bedford 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 New Bedford District Court, 75 North Sixth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Check in at the clerk's office and tell them you are there for a 258E hearing. Municipal parking nearby on North Sixth Street.
New Bedford District Court covers harassment prevention order cases for New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Freetown, and Westport. 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.
75 North Sixth Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Municipal parking nearby on North Sixth Street.
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
(508) 999-9700Address
75 North Sixth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
County
Bristol County
Official listing
mass.gov →Free legal help
South Coastal Counties Legal Services provides free civil legal help, including harassment and abuse prevention orders, to income-eligible residents of southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands.