Somerville Traffic Ticket Records
Somerville traffic ticket records are processed at Somerville District Court in Middlesex County. The city is densely populated and sits just north of Cambridge, so traffic enforcement is active on its busy streets. This page covers where records are kept, how to respond to a citation within the required 20-day window, what fines to expect, and how a ticket can affect your Massachusetts driving record.
Somerville Quick Facts
Somerville District Court
Somerville District Court is located on Fellsway and serves both Somerville and Medford. This is where all traffic citations issued in Somerville are processed. Whether you need to pay a fine, request a hearing, or get a copy of a past case, this court is your starting point. The clerk's office can look up cases by name or ticket number.
| Court | Somerville District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 175 Fellsway Somerville, MA 02145 |
| Phone | (617) 666-8000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Jurisdiction | Medford, Somerville |
The Somerville District Court page at mass.gov has current hours, phone numbers, and directions. The court is accessible from the Fellsway corridor. Parking near the court is available, though Somerville is a walkable city and several bus routes run nearby. Always bring your citation and a photo ID when visiting in person.
The Somerville District Court handles CMVIs and other traffic matters for both Somerville and Medford residents.
Somerville District Court at 175 Fellsway processes all traffic citations issued in Somerville.
Somerville Police Department
The Somerville Police Department issues traffic citations throughout the city. Officers enforce speed limits, stop signs, cell phone laws, and other moving violations. If you need to confirm details on a ticket, request a crash report, or ask about a specific citation, contact the department directly.
| Department | Somerville Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 Washington Street Somerville, MA 02143 |
| Phone | (617) 625-1212 |
Somerville is one of the most densely populated cities in New England. Traffic volume is high, especially near Inman Square, Davis Square, and the routes connecting to Cambridge and Boston. Officers issue citations regularly on high-traffic corridors. If you plan to contest a ticket, knowing the details of the incident helps you prepare for your clerk hearing or judge appeal.
Responding to a Somerville Traffic Citation
Every Massachusetts traffic ticket comes with three response options. You have 20 days to act. Doing nothing means the fine is assessed automatically, and the violation may be recorded on your driving record as a surchargeable event.
Option one is to pay. This is the fastest way to resolve a ticket. Pay online at mass.gov, by mail, or in person at Somerville District Court. Paying is an admission of the violation. If it is a surchargeable event, your insurer will see it and may raise your rates. Not all violations carry surcharges, but many moving violations do.
Option two is to request a clerk-magistrate hearing. The fee is $25. You ask for it by checking the box on your ticket or writing to the court within 20 days. At the hearing, you explain your side to the clerk. The officer may or may not appear. If the clerk dismisses the citation, no surcharge applies and the violation does not go on your record. If the clerk rules against you, you can still appeal. The state hearing guide explains what to expect.
Option three is a judge appeal. This costs $50. It happens after the clerk hearing if you lost or if you choose to skip the clerk step and go straight to a judge, which is allowed. The judge hearing is more formal. Both sides present their case. The judge's decision is final at the trial court level. Total cost if you go through both stages is $75 in hearing fees.
For more on surchargeable events and which violations count, see the state's surchargeable incidents list.
Fine Amounts for Common Violations
Fines in Somerville follow the statewide schedule. The rates are the same as anywhere else in Massachusetts.
Speeding at 1 to 10 mph over the limit: $50 base fine plus a $50 Head Injury Trust Fund surcharge, totaling $100. Speeding at 11 or more mph over: $50 base plus $10 per mile per hour over the limit, plus the $50 surcharge. For example, 20 mph over the limit costs $50 plus $200 plus $50, or $300 total. That adds up fast on a city street where the limit might be 25 mph.
Cell phone violations under the Hands-Free Law carry their own fine structure. First offense is $100. Second is $250. Third and after is $500. These fines apply whenever a driver uses a handheld device while the vehicle is moving. The law took effect February 23, 2020 and has been actively enforced in Somerville.
Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, speeding in a school zone, and other common moving violations each have set fines. Some are higher in designated zones. Always check your ticket to confirm the specific violation code and fine amount listed.
How Somerville Tickets Affect Your Driving Record
The Massachusetts RMV tracks all traffic violations on your driving record. Tickets from Somerville are no different. When a violation is assessed against you, it goes on your record and stays there.
Three speeding violations within any 12-month period trigger a 30-day suspension under MGL c. 90, section 20. The RMV counts violation dates, not court dates. So if you got three speeding tickets within a year, the third one can lead to a suspension notice even if the cases are still pending. More on suspension rules is at mass.gov.
Winning your hearing prevents the violation from being assessed. That means no surcharge and no point on the record for that ticket. For Somerville drivers who already have a few violations, this matters a lot. You can request a copy of your current driving record from the RMV at mass.gov. Knowing where you stand helps you make the right decision about whether to fight a ticket.
The Massachusetts RMV is the official source for license status, suspension history, and driving record information.
Online Tools for Somerville Records
You can look up Somerville traffic cases online through MassCourts. The site at masscourts.org covers district court records across Massachusetts, including Somerville District Court. Search by name or docket number to find case status, hearing dates, and past rulings. The system shows what is publicly available in the docket. It will not show all document contents, but it gives a clear picture of case history.
The main state traffic ticket page at mass.gov/traffic-tickets explains CMVIs, payment options, and the appeal process in plain language. It also links to the payment portal if you decide to pay the fine without going to court. All of this is available 24 hours a day, so you can look up your case or make a payment at any time.
Middlesex County Traffic Ticket Records
Somerville is in Middlesex County, the largest county in Massachusetts by population. Traffic citations from Somerville are part of the county's broader district court network. The county page has more on the courts that serve Middlesex, fine schedules, and resources available to drivers across the region.