Bill Would Transfer More Cases to Peabody Court

State Rep. Ted Speliotis (D-Danvers) has filed legislation that would move Danvers and Middleton cases from Salem District Court to Peabody District Court.

Salem had almost double the cases filed in 2013 compared to Peabody. Danvers Police as well as the City of Peabody support the change – Middleton would prefer to stay with Salem, reported the Salem News.

Danvers Police Chief Neil Ouellette told the Salem News that the 2.5-mile journey to Peabody is easier than driving four miles to Salem.

Speliotis said adding the caseload to the Peabody District Court will also help Peabody Square, It will bring more potential customers to the area and lead to new businesses, such as restaurants and law offices. The Danvers state representative said the change won’t be easy and it could cause other changes to court jurisdictional lines in the state, reported the Salem News.

The $106 million J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center, which houses Salem District Court, opened in 2012.

The bill H.1625 “An Act relative to the jurisdiction of Peabody District Court” is currently with the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. 

Read the full Salem News article.