Massachusetts Courthouse Dress Code & Attire Rules (2026)

Short answer: Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 8 courthouses in Massachusetts. Updated 2026-11-04

All 8 county courthouses in Massachusetts enforce judicial decorum dress codes: shorts, flip-flops, tank tops, halter tops, pajamas, and hats are prohibited in courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may refuse entry or reset your hearing if you are improperly dressed. Massachusetts Trial Court updated its Trial Court Policy on Possession & Use of Cameras and Personal Electronic Devices to allow cell phones in almost all courthouses, though select high-security courts enforce courtroom pouches or check-in.

County Courthouse	City	Courtroom dress code	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Middlesex County Middlesex County Courthouse (Cambridge) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Middlesex County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Cambridge	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Worcester County Worcester County Courthouse (Worcester) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Worcester County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Worcester	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Essex County Essex County Courthouse (Salem) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Essex County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Salem	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Suffolk County Suffolk County Courthouse (Boston) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Suffolk County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Boston	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Norfolk County Norfolk County Courthouse (Dedham) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Norfolk County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Dedham	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Bristol County Bristol County Courthouse (Taunton) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Bristol County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Taunton	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Plymouth County Plymouth County Courthouse (Brockton) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Plymouth County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Brockton	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Hampden County Hampden County Courthouse (Springfield) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Hampden County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Springfield	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear jeans or shorts to court in Massachusetts?

Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 8 courthouses in Massachusetts.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.