Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 209a - Abuse Prevention
Section 2 - Venue

Section 2. Proceedings under this chapter shall be filed, heard and determined in the superior court department or the Boston municipal court department or respective divisions of the probate and family or district court departments having venue over the plaintiff's residence. If the plaintiff has left a residence or household to avoid abuse, such plaintiff shall have the option of commencing an action in the court having venue over such prior residence or household, or in the court having venue over the present residence or household.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations

Title III - Domestic Relations

Chapter 209a - Abuse Prevention

Section 1 - Definitions

Section 2 - Venue

Section 3 - Remedies; Period of Relief

Section 3a - Nature of Proceedings and Availability of Other Criminal Proceedings; Information Required to Be Given to Complainant Upon Filing

Section 3b - Order for Suspension and Surrender of Firearms License; Surrender of Firearms; Petition for Review; Hearing

Section 3c - Continuation or Modification of Order for Surrender or Suspension

Section 3d - Transmission of Report Containing Defendant's Name and Identifying Information and Statement Describing Defendant's Alleged Conduct and Relationship to Plaintiff to Department of Criminal Justice Information Services Upon Order for Suspe...

Section 4 - Temporary Orders; Notice; Hearing

Section 5 - Granting of Relief When Court Closed; Certification

Section 5a - Protection Order Issued by Another Jurisdiction; Enforcement; Filing; Presumption of Validity

Section 6 - Powers of Police

Section 7 - Abuse Prevention Orders; Domestic Violence Record Search; Service of Order; Enforcement; Violations

Section 8 - Confidentiality of Records

Section 9 - Form of Complaint; Promulgation

Section 10 - Assessments Against Persons Referred to Certified Batterers' Treatment Program as Condition of Probation

Section 11 - Possession, Care and Control of Domesticated Animal Owned by Persons Involved in Certain Protective Orders; Notice to Law Enforcement Upon Finding of Imminent Threat to Household Member or Animal