Clerk's Hearing

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor crime in Boston or another city in Massachusetts, you may be asked to attend a clerk’s hearing. A clerk’s hearing, also known as a “show cause” hearing, is when a defendant is asked to attend a hearing for misdemeanor charges. Usually, the defendant will receive a notice in the mail that lists the time and date of the hearing. Even if a defendant has not been arrested or arraigned for a criminal offense, he/she can still be asked to attend a clerk’s hearing. It is very common for people to be asked to attend a clerk’s hearing for crimes such as drug possession, traffic violations, or misdemeanor violent crimes.