Baker nominates Tyne to Pittsfield District Court
Boston — Gov. Charlie Baker Wednesday nominated Jennifer Tyne to serve as associate justices of the District Court in western Massachusetts.
Tyne is the District Court supervisor for the Pittsfield public defender division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services. She serves as criminal trial counsel for indigent clients in both District and Superior courts in Berkshire Country. She also supervises and provides ongoing training to District Court public defenders. A member of the Massachusetts Bar Association since 1995, Tyne has worked as an assistant district attorney in Berkshire County, as a solo practitioner concentrating in criminal defense, as an elder law and real estate attorney at Stavisky & Kelly, and as appellate counsel for indigent defendants in criminal cases. Tyne has taught paralegal, criminal justice, and research and writing courses at Mildred Elley Business School. Tyne has also served as a foster parent for the Department of Children and Families. She graduated from Smith College and Northeastern University School of Law. She lives in Pittsfield with her family.
The District Court 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 of 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. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the Commonwealth. Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission and recommended to the governor.
