Calendar Year 2020

Middlesex County Data

Between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020, we managed 25,205 active cases. This included 12,880 new cases that were arraigned in Middlesex County courts, in addition to cases that were ongoing prior to 2020. 

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 2020, 12,410 cases were arraigned in the District Courts of Middlesex County, of which 3,155 were disposed at arraignment so bail was not an issue.

Of the remaining 9,255 cases, the Commonwealth did not request bail in 6,736 or 72.78% of the cases. Of the remaining 2,519 cases, the Commonwealth requested that 561 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 1,958 cases, which include a wide variety of misdemeanor and serious felony charges, the Commonwealth requested cash bail. 

In calendar year 2020, 216 cases were arraigned in the Juvenile Courts of Middlesex County. Of those cases, 18 were disposed at arraignment so bail was not an issue.

Of the remaining 198 juvenile cases, the Commonwealth did not request bail in 175 or 88.38% of the cases. Cash bail was requested in 35 cases, including serious felonies such as home invasion or sexual assault. In the remaining 10 cases juveniles were held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing.

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 2020 we offered juvenile and young adult diversion to 475 individuals. 
 

Juvenile Diversion 

In 2020 the Middlesex District Attorney's Office had 250 juvenile cases referred to its Juvenile Diversion Program. Of those, 217 juveniles or 86.8% were approved to participate in the program.  Since the standard length of a diversion programs is six months, some 2020 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 2020 the Middlesex District Attorney's Office had 226 young adult cases referred to its diversion program. Of those, 201 young adults or 88.9% were approved to participate in the program.  Since the standard length of a diversion program is six months, some 2019 candidates are still actively participating in their diversion programs.