City of Melrose Crime Index
The city of Melrose is ranked as one of the top 100 cities in the US for its lower violent and property crime rates and was ranked as 72% safer than other cities in the US with similar population sizes. However, The 2019 crime index, compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) indicates an increase in violent crimes in the jurisdiction.
City of Melrose Violent Crime
The UCR Program defines violent crime as offenses that involve force or physical threat and includes offenses such as murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Violent crime in the City of Melrose increased from 15 recorded in 2018 to 32 in 2019.
- Murders: There was no record of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter in the City of Melrose in 2019.
- Rape: The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) started the collection of rape data in 2013. Before then, the definition was restricted to forceful sexual relations with a female however, that definition was reviewed in 2013 to include any form of penetration against the victim’s will, either male or female.
There was no record of rape in the City of Melrose in 2019, as revealed in the UCR program. Attempts and assault to commit a rape offense were also considered in collecting the data.
- Robbery. In 2019, there were 3 cases of robbery in the city, 2 more than was recorded in 2018.
- Aggravated Assault is described as the act or attempt to inflict severe bodily harm with the use of weapons such as guns or knives. There was an increase in cases related to aggravated assaults in 2019, 50% more than the previous year.
City of Melrose Property Crime
Under the FBI’s UCR Program, property crime consists of four kinds of offenses including burglary, larceny, arson, and motor vehicle theft. There was an increase in Property crime in 2019, from 146 recorded cases in 2018 to 172 in 2019.
- Burglary: Melrose recorded 25 cases of burglary in 2019, accounting for 3 more incidents of burglary than was recorded in 2018.
- Larceny: Melrose recorded 131 incidents of larceny in 2019, including pocket-picking, shoplifting, bicycle theft, or theft of other property without force, violence, or fraud.
- Arson: Melrose had no record of arson in 2019. Arson is described as any attempted or deliberate burning of a house, public building, vehicles, aircraft, or any personal property that belongs to anyone else.
- Motor Vehicle: There were 16 recorded cases of motor vehicle theft in the City of Melrose for 2019.
- Traffic Crime: A traffic crime is a punishable offense for driving under the influence of alcohol or any other reckless driving. Under Massachusetts law, the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit of suspects is crucial in determining if they are guilty or not.
- OUI: The consequences for an OUI differs and depends on whether the suspect is a first-time or repeat offender. A first-offense OUI in the City of Melrose is considered a misdemeanor as stated by the Massachusetts law. In 2019, the estimated number of arrests for OUI offenses in the US was 1,024,508.
There are two main categories of courts that adjudicate on cases emanating from Melrose. These are trial courts and appellate courts.
Melrose Trial Courts
Trial Courts include District Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court, Land Court, Probate and Family Court, and Superior Court.
Malden District Court
The Malden District Court serves the city of Melrose and hears criminal cases and cases concerning mental health, civil matters, and housing. The court is located at
The Malden District Court.
4040 Mystic Valley Parkway,
Medford, MA 02155
Telephone: (781) 322-7500
Email: cmmaldendc@jud.state.ma.us
The Northeast Housing Court-Woburn Session
The Northeast Housing Court- Woburn Session hears residential housing cases. These cases may be related to evictions, small claims, and civil actions that involve property damage, discrimination, breach of contract, and others. The court seats at
Northeast Housing Court - Woburn Session
200 Trade Center,
Courtroom 540- 5th Floor,
Woburn, MA 01801
Telephone: (978) 689-7833
E-mail: NortheastHousingCourt@jud.state.ma.us
The Cambridge Juvenile Court
The Cambridge Juvenile Court hears cases that involve underage defendants or guardianship matters at
The Cambridge Juvenile Court,
121 Third St., Cambridge,
Cambridge MA 02141
Telephone:(617) 494-4100
Email: jccallctr@jud.state.ma.us
Land Court
The Land Court settles cases involving real estate, land usage, and registration of title. The Land court serves the city of Melrose at
Land Court
3 Pemberton Square,
Boston, MA 02108
Probate and Family Court
The Probate and Family Court Department hears cases on families and children, divorce, child support, and wills. Middlesex Probate and Family Court South - Woburn serves the City of Melrose and is located at:
Probate and Family Court,
10-U Commerce Way,
Woburn, MA 01801
Main (781) 865-4000
Adoption/SIJS (781) 865-4002
Divorce (781) 865-4004
Paternity (781) 865-4007
Probate (Estates/Guardianships) (781) 865-4008
middlesexprobate@jud.state.a.us
Middlesex County Superior Court
Middlesex County Superior Court has authority over all felony matters with no limitation. The court also hears cases from the medical malpractice tribunals, labor disputes, and civil actions over $50,000. Middlesex County Superior Court serves the City of Melrose and is located at
Middlesex County Superior Court,
200 Trade Center,
2nd Floor,
Woburn, MA 01801
Email: Middlesex.clerkoffice@jud.state.ma.us
Appellate Courts
Appellate Courts hear and review appeals on legal cases that have been tried in other lower courts.
Supreme Judicial Court
The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the Commonwealth’s highest appellate court. The SJC is in charge of operations of all other lower courts. SJC for Melrose is at
John Adams Courthouse,
1 Pemberton Square,
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: (617) 557-1000
Appeals Court
The Appeals Court has jurisdiction over all kinds of criminal cases except first-degree murder. The Appeals Court receives cases from all Trial Court Departments. Additionally, the court receives cases from the Appellate Tax Board, the Department of Industrial Accidents, and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board.
John Adams Courthouse,
1 Pemberton Square,
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: (617) 557 - 1000
