---
title: "Emily A. Karstetter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/emily-a-karstetter"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Emily A. Karstetter

Massachusetts Superior Court · Associate Justice

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts Superior Court
- State: Massachusetts
- Role: Associate Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearings

Scope: courtwide

Massachusetts Superior Court Standing Order 1-26 identifies which criminal and civil proceedings are presumptively remote or in person, while allowing the presiding judge to change the format under the order's standards.

Evidence excerpt: certain criminal and civil proceedings may be conducted remotely (e.g., by computer, videoconference, or telephone) pursuant to this Standing Order

[Superior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings](https://www.mass.gov/superior-court-rules/superior-court-standing-order-1-26-remote-hearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: courtwide

Photographing, recording, or electronically transmitting a Massachusetts Superior Court remote or hybrid hearing requires prior authorization from the supervising judge or clerk-magistrate.

Evidence excerpt: No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, of a remote or hybrid court hearing, without prior authorization from the judge or clerk magistrate

[Superior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings](https://www.mass.gov/superior-court-rules/superior-court-standing-order-1-26-remote-hearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording and photography

Scope: statewide

In Massachusetts courts, photography, recording, or electronic transmission in a courtroom or related judicial space requires prior authorization from the judge or magistrate supervising that place, subject to Rule 1:19's separate provisions for registered news media.

Evidence excerpt: No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, in any courtroom, hearing room, office, chambers or lobby of a judge or magistrate without prior authorization

[Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/superior-court-justices)
- [Official roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/superior-court-justices)
- [Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/superior-court-justices)
- [Superior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings](https://www.mass.gov/superior-court-rules/superior-court-standing-order-1-26-remote-hearings)
- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Associate Justice, Appellate Division of the District Court — Appointed in 2017, she has also held the role of presiding justice for the Northern District of the Appellate Division since 2023
- First Justice of the Malden District Court in Massachusetts and was recently nominated by Governor Maura Healey for Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court

### Education


### Additional information

- As of mid‐2026, Judge Karstetter has presided over cases including wrongful death, motor vehicle negligence, and other tort matters in Middlesex County
- First Justice, Malden District Court — Appointed in 2012 by former Governor Deval Patrick, Karstetter manages the court’s calendar, policies, and direction, and presides over criminal and civil cases



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-20acbd9da185f40e1f10b2b2) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts). Collected 2026-07-26.
