Being Accused is Traumatic. We Understand.
We Get You Safely Through the Storm.
When you call or use the chat on our website, a real person responds — not an AI bot — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Defending good people who have a really bad day.
Ernest Stone has been defending clients in Cambridge District Court for more than 30 years. We know this courthouse, we know its procedures and players.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a crime in Cambridge, Arlington, or Belmont, Cambridge District Court is where your case will be heard, and we are ready to help. Serious felony cases from Cambridge District Court are sometimes moved to Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn, and we handle those cases there too.
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You can review examples of our case results here.
Facing an OUI charge specifically in Cambridge? See our dedicated Cambridge OUI Defense page for penalties, defenses, and license consequences.
Cambridge District Court is accessible via the MBTA Orange Line. Get off at Wellington Station in Medford, the courthouse is a short distance away.
Bus routes serving the courthouse: Bus 90, Bus 97, Bus 99, Bus 100, Bus 106, Bus 108, Bus 110, Bus 112, and Bus 134.
Parking can be very tight. There is some parking at the rear of the building, but it fills up fast. There is no parking along Mystic Valley Parkway, the road the courthouse is on, except for police vehicles. If you continue past the courthouse, the next road on the right has on-street parking — a lot of people park there and walk back to the courthouse.
Get to the courthouse by 8:30. Parking is tough here, and you want time to find a space before you go in. Cambridge District Court shares a building with Malden District Court, so it helps to know where you are going before you arrive.
When you come through the front door, you go through the metal detectors. On your right-hand side after the metal detectors is the Probation Office. If you are there for an arraignment, this is where you check in on your first day. You only do this on the arraignment date, not on every court date.
Directly across the hall from probation is the Clerk's Office. Just to the right of the Clerk's Office is a door leading to the hallway where the courtrooms are.
The courtroom facing you at the end of that hallway is the Malden first session. For Cambridge, take a right where the hallway continues — on your left as you walk down you will find the Cambridge first session, along with the trial courtroom that is used for both Cambridge and Malden trials.
There are benches in the hallway where you can sit while you wait.
The room where clerk's hearings are held is on the right as you first enter the courtroom hallway. It is marked with a small sign and is easy to miss. It is just before the bathrooms, which are a little further down on the right.
Massachusetts has 62 district courts, each responsible for criminal cases arising within a defined geographic area. Cambridge District Court, also known as the Third District Court, serves Cambridge, Arlington, and Belmont. 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. Be careful about the location: despite the name, this courthouse is not in Cambridge. It is at 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway in Medford, in the same building as Malden District Court. Some websites and map listings still point to older addresses. If you are due in Cambridge District Court, go to Medford — people show up in the wrong city for this reason, and being late for an arraignment is a problem you do not want.
If you served in the military, the Middlesex County Veterans Treatment Court sits at Framingham District Court, and a case from Cambridge District Court may be able to transfer there. Learn how we represent veterans.
Cambridge District Court is one of 12 District Courts in Middlesex County. See our Middlesex County criminal defense page for the others.
Cambridge is home to Harvard University and MIT, and the court's docket includes college-age matters such as fake ID charges and minor in possession of alcohol. Students should never speak with campus police, Harvard or MIT police, or probation officers about a pending matter without an attorney present.
Juvenile matters arising in Cambridge, Arlington, and Belmont are not heard at this courthouse. They are handled by the Middlesex County Juvenile Court in Cambridge, located separately at 121 Third Street, Cambridge, a few miles from the district court in Medford.
If you have just been arrested, released, or received a summons, take a breath. Here is what you need to do right now.
● Don't talk to police without a lawyer present -- you have the right to remain silent and you should use it
● Don't discuss your case with anyone except your attorney
● Don't contact any alleged victims or witnesses
● Preserve any evidence that might help your defense: photos, text messages, surveillance footage, witness contact information
● Write down everything you remember about what happened while it is still fresh
● Don't post anything about your case on social media
● Follow all court orders and conditions of release exactly
● Contact an experienced Massachusetts criminal defense attorney as soon as possible
"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
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. We focus on addressing the underlying issues that may have contributed to your legal situation, with the goal of helping you make lasting positive changes.
For some examples of cases we have handled, go here
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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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.
Contact our team today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7.
