William J. Ritter at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Justice
- Court
- Massachusetts Superior Court
- Jurisdiction
- Massachusetts · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William J. Ritter
Associate Justice · Massachusetts Superior Court
Available research
Courtroom rules and guidance
Remote Hearings
Massachusetts Superior Court Standing Order 1-26 identifies which criminal and civil proceedings are presumptively remote or in person, while allowing the presiding judge to change the format under the order's standards.
certain criminal and civil proceedings may be conducted remotely (e.g., by computer, videoconference, or telephone) pursuant to this Standing OrderSuperior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗
Remote Recording
Photographing, recording, or electronically transmitting a Massachusetts Superior Court remote or hybrid hearing requires prior authorization from the supervising judge or clerk-magistrate.
No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, of a remote or hybrid court hearing, without prior authorization from the judge or clerk magistrateSuperior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗
Recording And Photography
In Massachusetts courts, photography, recording, or electronic transmission in a courtroom or related judicial space requires prior authorization from the judge or magistrate supervising that place, subject to Rule 1:19's separate provisions for registered news media.
No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, in any courtroom, hearing room, office, chambers or lobby of a judge or magistrate without prior authorizationSupreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗
Sources
Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 25, 2026
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/superior-court-justicesSuperior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.mass.gov/superior-court-rules/superior-court-standing-order-1-26-remote-hearingsSupreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.mass.gov/supreme-judicial-court-rules/supreme-judicial-court-rule-119-electronic-access-to-the-courts