What should I expect at my first court appearance in Salem?

Your first appearance is your arraignment. At Salem District Court, arraignments are heard in Courtroom A, usually starting around 9:00–9:30 a.m. Before you go in, you'll check in with the Probation Department — go through the main security doors, turn left down the hallway, and you'll find them past the stairs. They'll ask for your contact information and run a background check. This is standard. After check-in, go to Courtroom A and wait for your name to be called. At the arraignment itself, the charges will be read, you'll enter a plea — almost always not guilty at this stage — and the judge will set your release conditions. The whole thing typically takes only a few minutes once your name is called. The wait beforehand is usually the longest part. If you've hired us, we will be there with you from the moment you arrive.

Do I need a lawyer for my arraignment?

You are not legally required to have one, but you should. The arraignment is where bail is set and release conditions are decided. Those decisions happen fast, and without an attorney present to argue for you, the judge hears only one side. A lawyer can argue for your release on personal recognizance — meaning no bail — and can fight against conditions that would disrupt your work, your family, or your life while the case is pending. Beyond bail, the arraignment is also your first opportunity to begin influencing how the prosecutor and judge see your case. The impression made at that first appearance matters, and an experienced attorney knows how to use it.

My first court date is coming up. What do I do right now?

Three things. First, do not talk to anyone about what happened — not friends, not family, not on social media. Anything you say can be used against you, and people you trust can be called as witnesses. Second, write down everything you remember about what happened while it is still fresh — where you were, what was said, who was there, the sequence of events. Keep that document private and give it only to your attorney. Third, call a criminal defense attorney before your court date. It does not matter how minor you think the charge is or how certain you are about what happened. The earlier you have counsel, the more options you have. Call us at 978-969-2890. We answer 24/7.

Criminal Defense in Salem, MA

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Defending good people who have a really bad day.

Criminal Defense at Salem District and Superior Courts

Ernest Stone has been defending clients in Salem District Court and Essex County Superior Court in Salem for more than 30 years.

We know this courthouse, we know its procedures and players. We know what it takes to get the best results for people facing criminal charges here.

If you or someone you care about has been charged with a crime in Beverly, Salem, Danvers, Manchester by the Sea, or Middleton, Salem District Court is where your case will be heard —and we are ready to help.

If you have been indicted in Essex County, your case will be heard in Essex Superior Court in Salem. We have extensive experience with cases here, including a successful trial record.

Salem's J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center

District Court Clerk's Office: (978) 744 1167

Superior Court Clerk's Office: (978) 744 5500

‍Court Address: 56 Federal St, Salem, MA 01970

District Court Jurisdiction: Beverly, Danvers, Manchester by the Sea, Middleton, and Salem

Superior Court Jurisdiction: Essex County

About Salem District Court and the Ruane Judicial Center

Clerk's Office Email: cmsalemdc@jud.state.ma.us
Probation Department: (978)744-2056
Hours: Monday – Friday,8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Public Wi-Fi available. Wheelchair accessible. MassRelay: Dial 711.

Getting to the Courthouse

By MBTA

Salem District Court is accessible via the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line.

Get off at Salem Station — the courthouse is approximately a five-minute walk.

Bus routes serving the courthouse:
Express Bus 450, Bus 451, Express Bus 455, Bus 456, Express Bus 459, and Bus 465.

Parking

There is no free parking at the courthouse. Paid options within easy walking distance include:

Museum Place Garage — New Liberty Street, Salem (not time-restricted; best for longer court days)
Church Street surface lot — Church Street, Salem (not time-restricted)
MBTA Commuter Rail Station parking garage — northernend of downtown Salem (not time-restricted)
On-street metered parking — surrounding streets; meters are typically 2 or 4 hours, which may not cover a full court day

For current rates and locations: salemma.gov/parking
or (978) 745-8120.

About District and Superior Court

Massachusetts has 62 district courts, each responsible for criminal cases arising within a defined geographic area. Salem District Court — formally known as the First District Court of Essex County — serves Beverly, Danvers, Manchester by the Sea, Middleton, and Salem. It is located inside the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center at 56 Federal Street in Salem.

District court is where the overwhelming majority of criminal cases are handled from start to finish, including arraignments, bail hearings, pretrial conferences, motions, and trials.

More serious felonies are indicted and transferred to the Essex County Superior Court, which also sits at 56 Federal Street.

Juvenile matters for Beverly, Danvers, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Peabody, and Salem are handled by the Essex County Juvenile Court, also at 56 Federal Street.

All three courts are in the same building.

Serious Felony Charges: Essex County Superior Court

More serious felony charges, including rape, armed robbery, assault with intent to murder, and major drug trafficking, are indicted and transferred to the Essex County Superior Court, which is also located at 56 Federal Street in the Ruane Judicial Center, on the 5th floor.

Superior Court carries much higher stakes, including long potential sentences in state prison. Cases involve more complex procedures and evidence. Serious felony charges in the Superior Court require a more experienced and skilled lawyer.

We have defended people in serious felony cases in Superior Court for 30 years, with a successful history of negotiation and at trial. If your case is — or could be — headed to superior court, that experience matters.

Your First Day at Court:
Step-by-Step

If you are coming to court for the first time, here is exactly what to do when you arrive.

Get to the building by 8:30. You will need some time to go through intake at the Probation Department.

Go through the main doors to the security checkpoint.

Go through the metal detectors and then to the left at the end of the hallway. Down the left hallway, past the stairs, you will find the Probation Department.

Tell the person at the counter that you are there for an arraignment intake. They will ask for your contact information, date of birth, and residential and employment information. This is standard — the court uses this information to run a background check and establish your file. The probation officer at the desk will tell you exactly where to go next.

You will be going to Courtroom A at the other end of the hall you are on. After your intake, go into the First Session in Courtroom A and wait for your arraignment to be called.

Arraignments typically begin at 9:00-9:30 a.m. Sometimes you may have to wait a bit longer for paperwork to be prepared before your case is called.

Your name will be called when it is your turn.

If you have retained us, we will be there with you from the moment you arrive.

Clerk Magistrate Hearings at Salem District Court

Before a criminal complaint is formally issued in many Massachusetts cases, a Clerk Magistrate Hearing — also called a "show cause hearing" — takes place at the courthouse. At this hearing, the clerk magistrate reviews an application for a complaint and determines whether there is probable cause to issue it.

This hearing is one of the most important opportunities in a criminal case. If the clerk magistrate finds insufficient probable cause, no complaint issues — meaning no arraignment, no criminal record, no case. Even when a complaint does issue, a skilled defense attorney can use the hearing to develop the facts, assess the evidence, and begin building a defense before the case moves forward.

Importantly, there may be an opportunity to resolve the matter without a complaint issuing even if there is probable cause.

You are not required to have an attorney at a clerk magistrate hearing, but appearing without one is a serious mistake. The Commonwealth will have a police officer or prosecutor present the case for a complaint. You should have someone equally prepared to present your side. We regularly represent clients at clerk magistrate hearings at Salem District Court.

If you have received a notice for a clerk magistrate hearing, call us immediately. These hearings move quickly, and early intervention makes a significant difference.

Your Next Steps If You’ve Been Arrested

Do not discuss your case with anyone except your attorney.

Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately so your rights are protected from the start.

Do not talk to police without your lawyer present—you have the right to remain silent.

Preserve any evidence such as texts, emails, photos, or videos. Write down everything you remember about what happened while it’s still fresh.

CALL NOW

ABOUT ERNEST STONE

PROVEN EXPERIENCE

• More than 30 years defending good people in Massachusetts criminal cases
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• Extensive and Successful Trial Experience: OUIs to Life Felonies
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• Expert at negotiating great outcomes

NEVER PROSECUTED,
ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE

Ernest Stone has spent his entire career — more than 30 years — on the defense side. He has never prosecuted a case. He has never worked for the government to put someone in jail.

Every skill he has developed, every relationship he has built in Salem and Essex County, and every hour of courtroom experience he has earned have been in service of one goal: getting the best possible outcome for his people.

That singular focus is rare, and it matters. When you hire Ernie Stone, you hire someone who has always been in your corner.

LOCAL COURT EXPERTISE

• Extensive relationships with prosecutors, judges, and court personnel in Salem District Court

• Deep understanding of local court procedures and how cases are handled in this specific jurisdiction

COMPREHENSIVE DEFENSE

• High-touch communication
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• Support for those with little or no experience with the criminal system
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• We are trauma-informed and have built a vetted network of professionals to help with underlying factors such as trauma, substance abuse, mental illness, and social circumstances
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• We put together treatment plans that get cases resolved

"I knew the moment I spoke to Ernie on the phone he was the real deal... We won our case because of his perseverance and professionalism. He's just a really good person who's in your corner fighting for you."

- C.A

"Attorney Stone understands that every client or potential client that he comes across is going through one of the most difficult periods a person will encounter in life... and he makes it part of his job to make sure you feel supported, calm, and confident throughout the process."

- G.C

"Ernie Stone did such an amazing job in helping me out with my case... I truly felt so comfortable working with him... He went above and beyond, and I could not be more grateful... I would recommend Attorney Stone to anyone."

- M.K

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Our Approach: Comprehensive
Criminal Defense

Our Comprehensive Criminal Defense approach means we view you not as a legal problem, but as a whole individual living a unique and valued life. While our first priority is defending your case in court, we also focus on addressing the underlying issues that may have contributed to your legal situation—with the goal of helping you make lasting positive changes. Our clients have access to our network of other professionals we work with regularly to help with mental health, substance abuse, family dynamics, and whatever other areas they may need.

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Handling Serious Criminal Charges

We have won acquittals or obtained reduced charges or sentences in many types of criminal cases, including:

Ernie was invaluable in realizing a successful outcome to my case. He made the whole process straightforward and relaxed and his advice and assistance was concise and reassuring. I would absolutely hire him again if needed as he worked diligently to ensure a positive conclusion. Highly recommended!

- N.H

Ernie is an incredible lawyer and a wonderful mentor. I would highly recommend him and trust his advice and expertise.

- J.C

An attorney and a team who really cares about their clients. He did his absolute best in the court room and I got my case dropped thanks to him. I recommend to anyone looking for the best lawyer in town! Positive Quality, Professionalism.

- J.B

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What to Expect With Our Team

Immediate Response: Our phones are answered 24/7 by a real person. When you call, someone will actually answer.

Confidential Discussion: Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege, even before you formally hire us. You can speak freely about your situation.

No Pressure: A free consultation means exactly that—free, with no obligation. We’ll listen to your situation, answer your questions, and explain how we can help.

Clear Next Steps: If you decide to hire us, we’ll explain our fee structure clearly and work with you on payment arrangements that fit your situation.

Immediate Protection: Once you retain us, we begin working on your case immediately—preserving evidence, investigating facts, and protecting your rights.

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