What charges count as domestic violence in Massachusetts?

The most common are assault and battery on a family or household member under M.G.L. c. 265 § 13M, strangulation or suffocation under c. 265 § 15D, and violation of an abuse-prevention order under c. 209A § 7. The civil track runs in parallel: an abuse-prevention petition under c. 209A or a harassment-prevention petition under c. 258E if the parties are not family or household members.

How does the 209A restraining-order process work?

A petitioner can request an ex parte order on the day of filing under c. 209A § 4. If granted, the court schedules a contested return hearing within 10 business days where both sides are heard before a one-year order can issue. The 10-day return hearing is the moment the case is won or lost; do not skip it.

What is the difference between a 209A and a 258E order?

A 209A abuse-prevention order applies to family or household members (current or former spouses, people with a child in common, household members past or present, dating partners). A 258E harassment-prevention order applies outside that context (neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances). The procedural shape is similar; the substantive standard differs.

What happens if I'm arrested for assault and battery on a household member?

Massachusetts requires a 6-hour no-contact hold and arraignment in the District Court the next business day. Conditions of release routinely include a stay-away and no-contact order. A 209A petition is often filed by the alleged victim around the same time. Both tracks must be defended; one outcome can drive the other.

How does Jim Glaser Law charge for domestic-violence representation?

Domestic-violence matters are billed on a fixed-fee or hourly basis depending on the charge type and posture, addressed in the written fee agreement at the time of intake. The first telephone consultation is offered without charge.

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Entry 17 · Fixed Fee or Hourly

Domestic Violence

Massachusetts domestic-violence cases are evaluated on the same intake call. The attorney listens to the scenario and either handles the matter or connects the client with a Massachusetts criminal-defense partner attorney at no extra cost. The partner network handles all types of domestic-violence cases, including assault and battery on a family or household member, restraining-order violations, restraining-order hearings, and harassment-prevention-order hearings.

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The short answer

A Massachusetts domestic-violence allegation typically triggers two parallel matters: a criminal charge in the District Court and a civil abuse-prevention petition in either the District Court or the Probate and Family Court. Common criminal charges include assault and battery on a family or household member under M.G.L. c. 265 sec. 13M, strangulation or suffocation under c. 265 sec. 15D, and violation of an abuse-prevention order under c. 209A sec. 7. The civil track proceeds under the abuse-prevention act, M.G.L. c. 209A: an ex parte order may issue the same day, with a contested 10-day return hearing under c. 209A sec. 4 to determine whether a one-year order will issue. Harassment-prevention orders, which apply outside family or household contexts, proceed under M.G.L. c. 258E with a similar two-step structure. The intake call with Jim Glaser Law captures the criminal arraignment date, the 209A or 258E return-hearing date, conditions of release, no-contact orders, and any related Probate and Family Court parenting orders. The firm either handles the matter or connects the client with a Massachusetts criminal-defense partner attorney at no extra cost to the client. Domestic-violence matters are billed on a fixed-fee or hourly basis, addressed in the written fee agreement.

What does Domestic Violence law cover in Massachusetts?

Cases of this kind have been handled by Jim Glaser Law in Massachusetts since 1995. The first telephone consultation is offered without charge. For matters Jim Glaser Law accepts on contingency, no attorney's fee is owed unless and until the matter resolves with a recovery to the client; case-related costs and expenses are addressed in the written fee agreement.

Cities we cover

Each Massachusetts city below has a dedicated entry that localizes the domestic violence rule and names the relevant courthouses.

Frequently asked questions

What charges count as domestic violence in Massachusetts?

The most common are assault and battery on a family or household member under M.G.L. c. 265 § 13M, strangulation or suffocation under c. 265 § 15D, and violation of an abuse-prevention order under c. 209A § 7. The civil track runs in parallel: an abuse-prevention petition under c. 209A or a harassment-prevention petition under c. 258E if the parties are not family or household members.
How does the 209A restraining-order process work?

A petitioner can request an ex parte order on the day of filing under c. 209A § 4. If granted, the court schedules a contested return hearing within 10 business days where both sides are heard before a one-year order can issue. The 10-day return hearing is the moment the case is won or lost; do not skip it.
What is the difference between a 209A and a 258E order?

A 209A abuse-prevention order applies to family or household members (current or former spouses, people with a child in common, household members past or present, dating partners). A 258E harassment-prevention order applies outside that context (neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances). The procedural shape is similar; the substantive standard differs.
What happens if I'm arrested for assault and battery on a household member?

Massachusetts requires a 6-hour no-contact hold and arraignment in the District Court the next business day. Conditions of release routinely include a stay-away and no-contact order. A 209A petition is often filed by the alleged victim around the same time. Both tracks must be defended; one outcome can drive the other.
How does Jim Glaser Law charge for domestic-violence representation?

Domestic-violence matters are billed on a fixed-fee or hourly basis depending on the charge type and posture, addressed in the written fee agreement at the time of intake. The first telephone consultation is offered without charge.

This entry constitutes legal information, not legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Attorney advertising under Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.1 to 7.5. Responsible attorney: Jim Glaser, Massachusetts.