Judicial and Legal Services
Judicial and Legal Services
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Administrative Law
Program: Administrative Appeals
For the purpose of ensuring that administrative agencies meet requirements of due process before final agency action is taken, including adjudicatory hearings and preparation of the factual record necessary for judicial review.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Division of Administrative Law Appeals |
$1,083,990 |
$1,238,949 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$1,083,990 |
$1,238,949 |
Office of the Secretary for Administration and Finance |
$50,868 |
$49,441 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$50,868 |
$49,441 |
Totals |
$1,134,858 |
$1,288,390 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Administrative Law
Program: Civil Service Appeals
For the purpose of hearing and deciding appeals filed by public employees who are disciplined, laid off or not selected for promotion as well as job applicants who are not selected for appointment in order to ensure that employment decisions are made in a fair and impartial manner.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Civil Service Commission |
$436,065 |
$496,586 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$436,065 |
$496,586 |
Office of the Secretary for Administration and Finance |
$41,330 |
$36,810 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$41,330 |
$36,810 |
Totals |
$477,395 |
$533,397 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Administrative Law
Program: Tax Appeals
For the purpose of providing hearings and deciding cases on appeal from any taxing authority in order to provide taxpayers with an expedient means of appeal, including handling appeals related to state and property taxes.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Appellate Tax Board |
$2,194,633 |
$2,251,638 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$2,194,633 |
$2,251,638 |
Office of the Secretary for Administration and Finance |
$85,839 |
$79,901 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$85,839 |
$79,901 |
Totals |
$2,280,472 |
$2,331,539 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Appellate Courts
Program: Appeals Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth in matters concerning the appeal of lower court and administrative board decisions
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Appeals Court |
$12,096,042 |
$13,077,557 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$12,096,042 |
$13,077,557 |
Totals |
$12,096,042 |
$13,077,557 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Appellate Courts
Program: Supreme Judicial Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth in matters related to appeal, bail reviews, bar disciplinary proceedings, petitions for admission to the bar, and a variety of other statutory proceedings in addition to oversight responsibility of several affiliated agencies of the Judicial branch.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Supreme Judicial Court |
$9,525,623 |
$9,968,042 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$9,525,623 |
$9,968,042 |
Totals |
$9,525,623 |
$9,968,042 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Judicial and Attorney Oversight
Program: Bar Examination and Compliance
For the purpose of evaluating candidates for admission to the Massachusetts bar and ensuring that all law practitioners in Massachusetts adhere to strict rules and standards; activities include development and administration of the bar exam, review of the results, and evaluation of candidates for admission to the bar.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Board of Bar Examiners |
$1,179,581 |
$1,203,173 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$1,179,581 |
$1,203,173 |
Totals |
$1,179,581 |
$1,203,173 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Judicial and Attorney Oversight
Program: Judicial Conduct
For the purpose of ensuring responsible and ethical delivery of judicial services by preserving both judicial independence and public accountability; activities include investigation of complaints of judicial misconduct and disability that prevent judges from properly performing their judicial duties.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Commission on Judicial Conduct |
$597,043 |
$608,984 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$597,043 |
$608,984 |
Totals |
$597,043 |
$608,984 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Judicial and Legal Services General Operations
Program: Judicial and Legal Services Central Administration
For the purpose of providing judicial and legal services business operations that support multiple programs and cannot be allocated to specific programmatic areas. Activities may include executive oversight, developing strategic plans, giving policy guidance, and other miscellaneous support functions.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Office of the Attorney General |
$300,000 |
$55,000 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$300,000 |
$55,000 |
Totals |
$300,000 |
$55,000 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Judicial and Legal Services General Operations
Program: Judicial and Legal Services Facilities
For the purpose of managing and maintaining judicial and legal services facilities, including leased space, that support multiple programs and cannot be allocated to specific programmatic areas. Activities may include property construction, improvements, and maintenance in addition to plant operations and utility costs.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance |
$17,299,609 |
$41,659,000 |
Capital |
$17,299,609 |
$41,659,000 |
Totals |
$17,299,609 |
$41,659,000 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Prosecution and Defense Services
Program: District Attorney Offices
For the purpose of representing the Commonwealth in criminal prosecutions that arise within each respective district in addition to providing victim and witness services, promoting public safety, and increasing public trust in the criminal justice system.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Berkshire District Attorney |
$4,091,355 |
$4,097,016 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$4,091,355 |
$4,097,016 |
Bristol District Attorney |
$8,617,404 |
$8,279,752 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$8,617,404 |
$8,279,752 |
Cape and Islands District Attorney |
$4,092,276 |
$4,179,040 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$4,092,276 |
$4,179,040 |
District Attorneys Association |
$1,860,006 |
$1,897,206 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$1,860,006 |
$1,897,206 |
Eastern District Attorney |
$9,356,540 |
$9,533,584 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$9,356,540 |
$9,533,584 |
Hampden District Attorney |
$8,765,843 |
$8,941,160 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$8,765,843 |
$8,941,160 |
Middle District Attorney |
$10,117,582 |
$10,294,433 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$10,117,582 |
$10,294,433 |
Norfolk District Attorney |
$9,057,932 |
$9,239,090 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$9,057,932 |
$9,239,090 |
Northern District Attorney |
$14,928,904 |
$15,227,504 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$14,928,904 |
$15,227,504 |
Northwestern District Attorney |
$5,542,150 |
$5,652,992 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$5,542,150 |
$5,652,992 |
Plymouth District Attorney |
$7,918,793 |
$8,077,170 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$7,918,793 |
$8,077,170 |
Suffolk District Attorney |
$17,253,217 |
$17,591,196 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$17,253,217 |
$17,591,196 |
Totals |
$101,602,002 |
$103,010,142 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Prosecution and Defense Services
Program: Forensic Services
For the purpose of consultation, referral, and tracking services for individuals appearing before the juvenile, district, and superior courts including mental health evaluations.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Department of Mental Health |
$9,677,825 |
$9,896,259 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$9,677,825 |
$9,896,259 |
Totals |
$9,677,825 |
$9,896,259 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Prosecution and Defense Services
Program: Indigent Legal Services
For the purpose of providing legal services to defendants in criminal and civil proceedings who have a right to counsel but cannot afford or decline to hire an attorney; activities include training, certification, and oversight of public defenders in addition to payments for client representation.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Committee for Public Counsel Services |
$202,793,099 |
$191,249,261 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$202,793,099 |
$191,249,261 |
Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Security |
$150,543 |
$150,543 |
Federal Grant Spending |
$150,543 |
$150,543 |
Totals |
$202,943,642 |
$191,399,804 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Prosecution and Defense Services
Program: Specialized Public Legal Services
For the purpose of providing legal services to defendants of criminal and civil proceedings in special circumstances such as those related to individuals with mental health or intellectual disabilities; activities include training, certification, and oversight of specialized public defenders in addition to payments for client representation.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee |
$855,117 |
$872,219 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$855,117 |
$872,219 |
Supreme Judicial Court |
$14,129,584 |
$15,129,584 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$14,129,584 |
$15,129,584 |
University of Massachusetts |
$550,000 |
$550,000 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$550,000 |
$550,000 |
Totals |
$15,534,701 |
$16,551,803 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Prosecution and Defense Services
Program: Witness Protection Services
For the purpose of protecting individuals essential to the investigation or prosecution of a criminal matter and whose participation places them in danger, as well as protecting those individuals who are placed in danger due to an association with the critical witness.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and Security |
$94,245 |
$94,245 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$94,245 |
$94,245 |
Victim and Witness Assistance Board |
$248,420 |
$253,388 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$248,420 |
$253,388 |
Totals |
$342,665 |
$347,633 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Boston Municipal Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to all citizens of the Commonwealth in matters concerning criminal offenses which do not require the imposition of a state prison sentence, civil contract, and tort actions.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Trial Court |
$22,405,829 |
$23,497,055 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$22,405,829 |
$23,497,055 |
Totals |
$22,405,829 |
$23,497,055 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: District Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth concerning a wide range of matters including criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, and mental health proceedings in their respective judicial districts.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance |
$1,800,000 |
$8,000,000 |
Capital |
$1,800,000 |
$8,000,000 |
Trial Court |
$123,751,196 |
$130,634,657 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$123,751,196 |
$130,634,657 |
Totals |
$125,551,196 |
$138,634,657 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Housing Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth in matters concerning the use of any real estate property, including activities conducted on that property that may impact the health, welfare, and safety of any resident, occupant, user or member of the general public and which are subject to regulation by local cities and towns under the state building code, state specialized codes, state sanitary code, and other applicable statutes and ordinances.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Trial Court |
$14,265,360 |
$15,038,514 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$14,265,360 |
$15,038,514 |
Totals |
$14,265,360 |
$15,038,514 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Juvenile Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth in matters related to delinquency, children in need of services, care and protection petitions, adult contributing to a delinquency of a minor, adoption, guardianship, termination of parental rights proceedings, and youthful offender cases.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Trial Court |
$34,705,274 |
$36,560,509 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$34,705,274 |
$36,560,509 |
Totals |
$34,705,274 |
$36,560,509 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Land Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth in matters related to registration of title to real estate property, all matters and disputes concerning such title after registration, foreclosures and redemption of real estate tax liens, and other real property matters.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Trial Court |
$6,493,635 |
$6,839,237 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$6,493,635 |
$6,839,237 |
Totals |
$6,493,635 |
$6,839,237 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Probate and Family Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth in matters related to divorce, paternity, child support, custody, visitation, adoption, termination of parental rights, abuse prevention, and probate matters involving jurisdiction over wills, administrations, guardianships, conservatorships and change of name.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance |
$6,135,000 |
$20,750,000 |
Capital |
$6,135,000 |
$20,750,000 |
Trial Court |
$55,000,615 |
$58,013,224 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$55,000,615 |
$58,013,224 |
Totals |
$61,135,615 |
$78,763,224 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Probation Commission Services
For the purpose of ensuring the delivery of justice through investigations, community supervision of offenders/litigants, diversion of appropriate offenders from institutional sentences, mediations, service to victims, and the performance of other related community service functions.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Trial Court |
$245,267,400 |
$259,699,713 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$245,267,400 |
$259,699,713 |
Totals |
$245,267,400 |
$259,699,713 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Superior Court
For the purpose of delivering judicial decisions to citizens of the Commonwealth in matters involving civil actions where equitable relief is sought and labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance |
$846,300 |
$0 |
Capital |
$846,300 |
$0 |
Trial Court |
$59,533,064 |
$62,805,854 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$59,533,064 |
$62,805,854 |
Totals |
$60,379,364 |
$62,805,854 |
Government Function: Judicial and Legal Services
Program Category: Trial Courts
Program: Trial Court Administration
For the purpose of delivering the services of the trial courts of the Commonwealth in a safe and effective manner; services include jury and witness expenses, court security, facility operations and maintenance, technology services, and other services used by the trial courts and their employees.
Department |
FY 2014 Projected Spending |
FY 2015 Recommended Spending |
Information Technology Division |
$1,600,000 |
$1,063,313 |
Capital |
$1,600,000 |
$1,063,313 |
Trial Court |
$3,446,059 |
$3,500,933 |
Budgetary Appropriations |
$3,446,059 |
$3,500,933 |
Totals |
$5,046,059 |
$4,564,246 |
top of page