WOBURN - District Court Chief Justice Lynda M. Connolly Wednesday announced that over 784,000 separate cases were filed in the District Court's 62 divisions in FY07.

In the Woburn District Court over 17,139 cases were filed in FY 2007.

In acknowledging the volume of cases and the complexity and sensitivity of the matters coming before the Court, Chief Justice Connolly said, "As the gateway to justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the District Court is dedicated to the administration of justice in a fair, impartial and timely manner in accordance with the rule of law.

"The ability of the Woburn District Court to adjudicate the wide range of criminal, civil, housing, domestic abuse, mental health and other types of cases speaks volumes about the efforts of each of the individuals working in the Woburn District Court."

The jurisdiction of the 62 district courts located throughout the Commonwealth includes civil and criminal matters decided by judges, juries and magistrates.

Criminal jurisdiction extends to all misdemeanors and many felonies.

In FY'07 over 233,000 criminal cases were filed in the District Court.

This figure reflects a 4 percent increase from the previous year and includes nearly 64,000 cases with charges for operating under the influence of liquor and drugs and the illegal use and distribution of narcotics.

District Court civil cases ordinarily involve claims of $25,000 or less.

In FY07 over 176,000 civil and small claims were filed representing an increase of 18.5 percent in civil filings.

District Court jurisdiction also includes many other specialized proceedings, such as abuse prevention restraining orders; mental health matters; alcoholism and drug abuse commitment proceedings; inquests; evictions; enforcement of money judgments; administrative appeals regarding firearm licenses and unemployment compensation; and civil motor vehicle infractions.

Chief Justice Connolly recognized the leadership team of the Woburn District Court in her announcement today.

"There is no doubt that the leadership exhibited by First Justice Phyllis J. Broker, Clerk-Magistrate Kathleen M. McKeon and Acting Chief Probation Officer Vincent J. Piro, Jr., has been instrumental in the success of the District Court and its ability to better serve the communities of Burlington, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wilmington, Winchester and Woburn."

The Woburn District Court is located at 30 Pleasant Street, Woburn.

The telephone number for the court is (781) 935-4000 and the hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Additional information regarding the District Courts can be obtained at www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/districtcourt/index.html.