Legal Terminology
- Plaintiff: the person who starts the civil case by filing a complaint.
- Defendant: in civil cases, it is the person against whom the case is being brought.
- Pro Se Litigant: a person representing themselves without an attorney.
- Complaint: the first document given by the plaintiff to the court and the other side that starts a court case
- Answer: A written statement by the defendant responding to the complaint. This will contain any defenses (counter-arguments) or objections (disagreements with the complaint) to the other side’s case.
Motion: a request made to the court seeking an order or a decision on a certain aspect of the case.
What Should I Wear and Not Wear To Court?
You should come to court dressed appropriately. Consider wearing a suit, or at least a button-up shirt and dress pants. Other options for what to wear include a dress, or dress pants with a conservative top.
You should avoid wearing hats, flip flops, baggy clothing, clothing with inappropriate language or images, ripped jeans, tube tops or crop tops.
General Tips For Court
How Do I Address The Judge?
- You need to stand when the judge enters and leaves the courtroom.
- When you are speaking to the judge, you need to stand. Only speak directly to the judge. Do not speak to the opposing party while in court unless the judge allows it.
- Always address the judge as “Your Honor.”
What Else Should I Know?
- You need to be on time for your hearing. Timeliness is very important.
- The court staff can answer any additional questions you may have about the process or how to fill out forms. They cannot provide legal advice.
- When you are in the courtroom, listen for your name to be called. When it is, you should say that you are present.
Where Can I Access the Internet?
- The following types of places have WIFI for free or that customers can use: Coffee Shops like Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks or Panera, McDonalds.
- Libraries also have computers and printers that can be used to view and print documents.
List of Libraries
New Bedford Public Libraries:
Main Branch
613 Pleasant Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Wilks Branch
1911 Acushnet Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02746
Casa Da Saudade Branch
58 Crapo Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Lawler Branch
745 Rockdale Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02740
Howland-Green Branch
3 Rodney French Blvd.
New Bedford, MA 02744
(508) 991-6212
Boston Public Libraries:
Adams Street
690 Adams Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
Brighton
40 Academy Hill Road
Brighton, MA 02135
Charlestown
179 Main Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
Chinatown
2 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Codman Square
690 Washington Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
Connolly
433 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Dudley
149 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
East Boston
365 Bremen Street
East Boston, MA 02128
Egleston Square
2044 Columbus Avenue
Roxbury, MA 02119
Faneuil
419 Faneuil Street
Brighton, MA 02135
Fields Corner
1520 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
Grove Hall
41 Geneva Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02121
Honah-Allston
300 North Harvard Street
Allston, MA 02134
Hyde Park
35 Harvard Avenue
Hyde Park, MA 02136
Jamaica Plain
30 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Lower Mills
27 Richmond Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
Mattapan
1350 Blue Hill Avenue
Mattapan, MA 02126
North End
25 Parmenter Street
Boston, MA 02113
Parker Hill
1479 Tremont Street
Roxbury, MA 02120
Roslindale
4246 Washington Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
South Boston
646 East Broadway
South Boston, MA 02127
South End
685 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118
Uphams Corner
500 Columbia Road
Dorchester, MA 02125
West End
151 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
West Roxbury
1961 Centre Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
