Haverhill Traffic Ticket Records
Haverhill traffic ticket records are filed and processed at Haverhill District Court in Essex County. Located along the Merrimack River near the New Hampshire border, Haverhill sees steady traffic on its main corridors and local roads. This page covers how to find your citation records, where to go, what fines to expect, and how to respond within Massachusetts law's 20-day window.
Haverhill Quick Facts
Haverhill District Court
Haverhill District Court on Ginty Boulevard handles all civil motor vehicle infractions (CMVIs) issued in Haverhill and Groveland. The court processes traffic ticket payments, schedules clerk-magistrate hearings and judge appeals, and maintains official case records. It is the main court for traffic matters in the northern Essex County area.
| Court | Haverhill District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 45 Ginty Boulevard Haverhill, MA 01830 |
| Phone | (978) 372-6550 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Jurisdiction | Haverhill, Groveland |
The Haverhill District Court page at mass.gov has current contact information, directions, and links to court services. If you visit in person, bring your citation and a photo ID. The clerk's office can look up your case by ticket number or name. Call ahead to confirm hours before traveling, especially around holidays.
Serious traffic matters in Essex County can go to the Essex County Superior Court in Salem. Standard traffic tickets do not go there. They stay at the district court level unless criminal charges are attached to the stop.
The Haverhill District Court is the correct contact for all routine traffic citations issued in the city.
Haverhill District Court at 45 Ginty Boulevard processes all traffic citations for Haverhill and Groveland.
Haverhill Police Department
The Haverhill Police Department issues traffic citations throughout the city. Officers patrol Route 125, the downtown area, and residential neighborhoods. The department is on Bailey Boulevard on the south side of the city.
| Department | Haverhill Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 Bailey Boulevard Haverhill, MA 01832 |
| Phone | (978) 373-1212 |
If you need to confirm the details on your citation before a hearing, or if you want a crash report related to your ticket, contact the Haverhill Police records division. Officers who issue citations may be called to appear at clerk hearings and judge appeals. Having accurate information about your stop helps you prepare for either type of hearing.
How to Respond to a Haverhill Traffic Ticket
Every Massachusetts traffic ticket comes with a 20-day response window. The date on your ticket is when the clock starts. If you do nothing within those 20 days, the fine is assessed automatically and the violation goes on your record.
Paying the fine is one option. It closes the case quickly. Pay online at mass.gov, by mail, or in person at Haverhill District Court. Keep your ticket number ready for online or phone payments. Paying counts as an admission of the violation. Surchargeable violations will be noted on your driving record, and your insurer may see them at your next renewal.
A clerk-magistrate hearing costs $25. Request one within 20 days by checking the box on your ticket or writing to the court. The clerk hearing is informal. You explain what happened. The officer may or may not appear. If the clerk dismisses the ticket, the violation does not go on your record and no surcharge applies. If you lose, you can still appeal to a judge for an additional $50. For a full breakdown of what to expect, the state has a detailed guide at mass.gov.
A judge appeal is the final step at the trial court level. This is a formal hearing where both you and the officer present evidence to a judge. The cost is $50 on top of the clerk hearing fee if you went through that step first. Total cost for both stages is $75. A judge ruling against you finalizes the violation. Winning means the citation is dismissed with no record entry and no surcharge.
Traffic Fines in Haverhill
Haverhill follows the statewide Massachusetts fine schedule. The rates below apply to citations issued anywhere in the state.
Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit costs $50 plus a $50 Head Injury Trust Fund surcharge, totaling $100. Speeding 11 or more mph over costs $50, plus $10 per mph over the limit, plus the $50 surcharge. Going 15 mph over means $50 plus $150 plus $50, for a total of $250. Route 125 through Haverhill and other main roads are actively patrolled, so speeding fines are a common issue for city drivers.
Violations of the Hands-Free Law cost $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second, and $500 for the third and each time after. This law has been in effect since February 23, 2020. Using a phone while driving in Haverhill, like anywhere in Massachusetts, is a violation from the moment the vehicle is in motion.
Some violations trigger insurance surcharges. The full list is at mass.gov. Fighting and winning a citation at a hearing removes the surcharge risk. For some drivers, a $25 clerk hearing fee is a reasonable investment compared to a higher insurance premium over several years.
Your Driving Record and License Risk
The Massachusetts RMV maintains your driving record. All traffic violations that result in an assessment appear there. Haverhill tickets are no different from citations issued anywhere else in the state.
Three speeding violations within any 12-month window trigger a 30-day suspension under MGL c. 90, section 20. The RMV uses violation dates, not court dates. Even a pending case can count if the underlying violation happened within the 12-month window. Once you hit three qualifying speeding tickets, the RMV sends a suspension notice. You can appeal it, but the process takes time and the suspension takes effect unless you successfully challenge it.
A habitual offender designation leads to a 4-year suspension. The thresholds for that are higher, but Haverhill drivers who have a history of moving violations should be aware of the rules. Full details are at mass.gov. If you are already close to a threshold, a $25 hearing fee to fight a ticket is a small cost compared to losing your license.
You can request your own driving record from the RMV at mass.gov. There is a small fee for official copies. Checking your record before your hearing gives you a clear view of where you stand. The Massachusetts RMV is the official source for license status and suspension information.
Online Tools for Haverhill Ticket Records
You do not always need to visit the courthouse to manage a traffic ticket. Several online tools handle common tasks from anywhere.
The state traffic ticket portal at mass.gov/traffic-tickets is the main resource. It explains what a CMVI is, how to respond, and links to the payment portal and appeal process. Start here if you are not sure what step to take next. The site also links to the appeal guide if you want to contest your citation.
MassCourts at masscourts.org lets you search court records by name or docket number. Haverhill District Court cases are in the system. You can see case status, hearing dates, and past actions on a case. It is a free public search tool and requires no login. For RMV records and license status, use the RMV portal at mass.gov, which is a separate system from the court records database.
Essex County Traffic Ticket Records
Haverhill is in Essex County, and all traffic citations from the city run through the county's district court system. Essex County spans from the Merrimack Valley to the North Shore and includes several district courts. For a full overview of how traffic tickets work across Essex County, court locations, and other resources available to drivers in the region, visit the county records page.