Judge Matthew J. Machera: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Appointed By: Gov. Deval L. Patrick

Biography

The Hon. Matthew J. Machera is First Justice of the Chelsea District Court in Massachusetts. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Deval Patrick in 2012.

Machera earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1988. He spent the next several years working as a legislative aide for Massachusetts State Senator Patricia McGovernor before completing a J.D. at New England School of Law in 1994. As a law student, Machera worked as a legal intern for the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs.

After graduating from law school, Machera began his legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. During his tenure there, he held assignments in the Roxbury District Court, the Juvenile Unit, and the Gang Unit, rising through the ranks to become Chief of the Safe Neighborhood Initiative. Then, in 2004, Machera entered into private practice as a sole practitioner. He worked in Chelsea and Revere, handling criminal defense, civil litigation, and personal injury lawsuits until his appointment to the bench.

His memberships have included the Massachusetts Bar Association. He served as Vice President of Project Right and sat on the Board of the Boston Police Foundation, the Stop Handgun Violence, the Ella J. Baker House, and the Tremont Credit Union.

Recent Cases by Hon. Matthew J. Machera

Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. $6,039.00 in U.S. Currency

On June 30, 2026 a forfeiture, g.l. c. 94c, § 47 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge Matthew J. Machera presiding.

8 Files

Filed

Jun 30, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Matthew J. Machera 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Matthew J. Machera

Court

Suffolk County

County

Suffolk County, MA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Forfeiture, G.L. c. 94C, § 47

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Forfeiture

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. $15,019.00 in U.S. Currency

On May 19, 2026 a forfeiture, g.l. c. 94c, § 47 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge Matthew J. Machera presiding.

10 Files

Filed

May 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Matthew J. Machera 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Matthew J. Machera

Court

Suffolk County

County

Suffolk County, MA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Forfeiture, G.L. c. 94C, § 47

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Forfeiture

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 01, 2026

Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. One 2018 Mercedes S560V4, VIN #WDDUG8GBXJA367461

On May 19, 2026 a forfeiture, g.l. c. 94c, § 47 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge Matthew J. Machera presiding.

10 Files

Filed

May 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Matthew J. Machera 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Matthew J. Machera

Court

Suffolk County

County

Suffolk County, MA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Forfeiture, G.L. c. 94C, § 47

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Forfeiture

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 01, 2026

Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. $4,979.00 in U.S. Currency

On April 28, 2026 a forfeiture, g.l. c. 94c, § 47 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge Matthew J. Machera presiding.

11 Files

Filed

Apr 28, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Matthew J. Machera 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Matthew J. Machera

Court

Suffolk County

County

Suffolk County, MA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Forfeiture, G.L. c. 94C, § 47

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

Forfeiture

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 27, 2026

Unitas Funding LLC vs. CPC Ericsson Street LLC

On November 3, 2025 an other contract action case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge Matthew J. Machera presiding.

5 Files

Filed

Nov 03, 2025

Status

11/03/2025

Judge

Hon. Matthew J. Machera 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Matthew J. Machera

Court

Suffolk County

County

Suffolk County, MA

Case #

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Court Category

Other Contract Action

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 04, 2025

Dufort, Emmanuel vs. Brown, Paul

On November 25, 2024 a motor vehicle negligence - personal injury / property damage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge Matthew J. Machera presiding.

18 Files

Filed

Nov 25, 2024

Status

11/25/2024

Judge

Hon. Matthew J. Machera 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Matthew J. Machera

Court

Suffolk County

County

Suffolk County, MA

Case #

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Court Category

Motor Vehicle Negligence - Personal Injury / Property Damage

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 08, 2025

Ravenell, Annie vs. Getty Images (Us) Inc

On February 10, 2023 a fraud, business torts, etc. case was filed in the jurisdiction of Suffolk County. Judge Matthew J. Machera presiding.

17 Files

Filed

Feb 10, 2023

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Matthew J. Machera 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Matthew J. Machera

Court

Suffolk County

County

Suffolk County, MA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Fraud, Business Torts, etc.

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Economic Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 01, 2025

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About

Matthew J. Machera
Current Appointment Chelsea District Court	Chelsea District Court
Education J.D., New England School of Law - 1994 B.A., University of Massachusetts, Amherst - 1988	J.D., New England School of Law - 1994 B.A., University of Massachusetts, Amherst - 1988

Documents related to Matthew J. Machera

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	MA - Chelsea District Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (617) 660-9200
Fax:	+1 (617) 660-9215

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
First Justice	Chelsea District Court	Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Sole Practitioner	Private Practice	Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Assistant District Attorney	Office of the District Attorney	Suffolk County, Massachusetts