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title: "Matthew J. Shea | KnowJudges"
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# Matthew J. Shea

Massachusetts District Court · Associate Justice

## Profile

- Court: Massachusetts District 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 District Court lists specified non-evidentiary, scheduling, status, civil-management, and other proceedings that may be held remotely unless the presiding judge or clerk-magistrate orders otherwise.

Evidence excerpt: The following events may be held remotely unless otherwise ordered by a judge or clerk-magistrate

[Joint Standing Order 1-26: Order on remote court hearings](https://www.mass.gov/districtmunicipal-court-rules/joint-standing-order-1-26-order-on-remote-court-hearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: courtwide

Photographing, recording, or electronically transmitting a Massachusetts District 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

[Joint Standing Order 1-26: Order on remote court hearings](https://www.mass.gov/districtmunicipal-court-rules/joint-standing-order-1-26-order-on-remote-court-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/district-court-judges)
- [Official roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/district-court-judges)
- [Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/district-court-judges)
- [Joint Standing Order 1-26: Order on remote court hearings](https://www.mass.gov/districtmunicipal-court-rules/joint-standing-order-1-26-order-on-remote-court-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 of the Holyoke District Court in the Massachusetts District Court system, appointed in 2014 by former Governor Deval Patrick to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Hon
- Position: Associate Justice, Holyoke District Court (Hampden County)

### Education


### Additional information

- Judge Shea was born in Lynn, Massachusetts.



## 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.