Boston - Governor Maura Healey today nominated Sarah Hamilton as Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court and Health Antonio to District Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation.

“Both of these attorneys will make our court systems fairer and more just, and I am thrilled to nominate them,” said Governor Healey. “They’ve each demonstrated significant depth of knowledge of the Massachusetts justice system and have dedicated their careers to public service. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Council as they consider these two nominations.”

“We’re thrilled to nominated Heath and Sarah to the Massachusetts Courts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Their individual careers speak for themselves. They’ve proven time and time again that they are dedicated to justice. We’re proud to submit their names for consideration by the Governor’s Council.”  

About the Nominees:

Attorney Sarah Hamilton has almost 16 years of experience representing criminal defendants in the Superior and District Courts of Massachusetts. She has spent the entirety of her legal career with the Public Defender Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, first as Staff Attorney in the Worcester and Fall River offices from 2008 to 2022 and as Senior Trial Counsel for the Western Region from 2022 until present. She has been certified to handle murder case assignments since 2018 and regularly teaches and mentors less experienced attorneys learning to handle complex criminal defense matters. Attorney Hamilton is a graduate of Northeastern University, where she received a B.A. in Political Science and English, and of the Northeastern University School of Law. She currently resides in Worcester.  

The Superior Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction for Massachusetts and is committed to delivering high quality justice in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the rule of law. The Court's 82 justices sit in 20 courthouses in all 14 counties. The Superior Court has original jurisdiction in civil actions over $50,000 and in matters where equitable relief is sought. It also has original jurisdiction in actions including labor disputes where injunctive relief is sought, exclusive authority to convene medical malpractice tribunals, appellate jurisdiction over certain administrative proceedings, and may hold sittings for naturalization in any city or town. The Superior Court also has exclusive original jurisdiction of first-degree murder cases and original jurisdiction of all other crimes.

For more information about the Superior Court, visit its homepage. 

Attorney Heath Antonio began his 26-year career as an associate with Finneran, Byrne, Drechsler & O’Brien, an insurance defense firm.  He later moved to the Law Office of Anthony C. Savastano as a plaintiff’s litigator. In 2000, Attorney Antonio joined the Bristol County’s District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney in the Felony Trial Division of the New Bedford Superior Court. As an ADA, he prosecuted felony jury cases. In 2002, he was promoted to Chief of the Civil Rights Division, and two years later, he opened his private law office, with an emphasis on criminal defense and civil litigation. Since 2004, he has served in the Bristol County Bar Advocate Program and currently accepts murder case appointments. On a personal note, Attorney Antonio was born without a right ear canal, leaving him 50% deaf since birth and causing a speech impediment when young. He is a lifelong resident of Bristol County and has been deeply involved in youth sports and civic engagement in his community. He is also a past recipient of the First Justice’s Award for Pro Bono Public Excellence in the local housing, probate and family courts. He graduated magna *** laude from Stonehill College and graduated *** laude from Suffolk University Law School. He currently resides in New Bedford with his wife and two children.

The District Court Department hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the state.

For more information about the District Court, visit its homepage.