Stacey J. Fortes at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Massachusetts · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Stacey J. Fortes
Chief Justice · Massachusetts District Court
Biography
Professional career
- In June 2022, Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey A. Locke appointed Judge Fortes as Chief Justice of the District Court for a five‐year term under G.L. c.211B,.5
- The Chief Justice of the Massachusetts District Court, appointed in 2022 for a five‐year term, with a career spanning over 16 years on the bench and extensive prosecutorial experience
- held the role of Regional Administrative Justice for Region 4 (Lowell, Ayer, Concord, Woburn) from 2014
Education
Additional information
- First Justice of Lowell District Court (2017) and Chair of the District Court Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness
- Graduate of American University (undergraduate) and Suffolk Law School.
- overseeing nine courts and 26 judges
- Began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Roxbury Division, where she first encountered judges who shared her racial and cultural background
- She has expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her leadership and the importance of serving the Commonwealth’s residents
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
The following events may be held remotely unless otherwise ordered by a judge or clerk-magistrateJoint Standing Order 1-26: Order on remote court hearings ↗
Courtwide
Photographing, recording, or electronically transmitting a Massachusetts District Court remote or hybrid hearing requires prior authorization from the supervising judge or clerk-magistrate.
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 magistrateJoint Standing Order 1-26: Order on remote court hearings ↗
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 authorizationSupreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Massachusetts District Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 25, 2026.
Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 25, 2026
View Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster ↗Joint Standing Order 1-26: Order on remote court hearings
Courtwide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Joint Standing Order 1-26: Order on remote court hearings ↗Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗