Calendar Year 2018

Middlesex County Case Data

Between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, we managed 34,942 active cases. This included 23,109 new cases that were arraigned in Middlesex County courts, in addition to cases that were ongoing prior to 2018. 

Middlesex County Bail Data

The decision not to request cash bail in many District Court cases was informed by District Attorney Ryan's work on criminal justice reform with the Middlesex Chiefs of Police, the Massachusetts Legislature, members of the defense bar, community leaders and the public. It also reflects our larger focus on understanding the full impact that the criminal justice system has on people’s lives.

In calendar year 2018, 22,127 cases were arraigned in the District Courts of Middlesex County, of which 7,720 were disposed at arraignment so bail was not an issue.

Of the remaining 14,407 cases, the Commonwealth did not request bail in 10,497 or 72.86% of the cases. Of the remaining 3,910 cases, the Commonwealth requested that 653 individuals be held without bail. These cases involve instances where the defendant was charged with murder, charged with being a fugitive from justice or held pending a chapter 58A dangerousness determination. In the remaining 3,257 cases, which include a wide variety of misdemeanor and serious felony charges, the Commonwealth requested cash bail. 

In calendar year 2018, 538 cases were arraigned in the Juvenile Courts of Middlesex County. Of those cases, 82 were disposed at arraignment so bail was not an issue.

Of the remaining 456 juvenile cases, the Commonwealth did not request bail in 405 or 88.82% of the cases. Cash bail was requested in 20 cases, including serious felonies such as home invasion or sexual assault. In the remaining 31 cases juveniles were held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing.

Middlesex County Pretrial Detainees 

As noted above, between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, we managed 34,942 active cases. At any given time, there are approximately 9,000 Superior Court and District Court cases pending. On February 28, 2019, for example, there were 9,060 open Superior and District Court cases in Middlesex County. Based on information provided by the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office on that date, approximately 5% of the defendants in these cases were being held pretrial. 

Middlesex County Diversion Data

The Middlesex Juvenile and Young Adult Diversion Programs are voluntary, pre-arraignment programs designed to protect the criminal record of young people charged with crimes (juveniles and adults up to age 25). These diversion programs allow participants the opportunity to engage in remedial programming, attend counseling and/or perform community service in lieu of prosecution. These programs are designed to be as inclusive as possible and to identify and address the root causes of youthful criminal behavior.

This data does not include cases diverted to our drug, mental health or veterans diversion programs. That data will be included in a future report.  

In calendar year 2018 we offered juvenile and young adult diversion to 461 individuals. 

Juvenile Diversion 

In 2018 the Middlesex District Attorney's Office had 366 juvenile cases referred to its Juvenile Diversion Program. Of those, 267 juveniles or 72.95% were approved to participate in the program, 259 accepted our offer and 8 declined. To date 103 have successfully completed their programs. Since the standard length of a diversion programs is six months, some 2018 candidates are still actively participating in their diversion programs. 

Young Adult Diversion

Responding to the scientific research about brain development in young adults, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office's Young Adult Diversion Program provides an alternative to prosecution for individuals ages 18 - 25. The successful completion of this voluntary program results in the case never being arraigned and no criminal record being generated.

In 2018 the Middlesex District Attorney's Office had 233 young adult cases referred to its diversion program. Of those, 194 young adults or 83.26% were approved to participate in the program and 192 accepted our offer and only 2 declined. To date 88 have successfully completed their programs. Since the standard length of a diversion programs is six months, some 2018 candidates are still actively participating in their diversion programs. 

*The data above is based on data manually inputted into the case tracking system, DAMION.