In the Massachusetts Trial Court System, criminal cases are handled through a structured hierarchy. The District Court is where most criminal cases start, dealing with misdemeanors and less severe felonies. For more serious offenses, cases are brought to the Superior Court, which handles major felonies such as murder, rape, and armed robbery. If a defendant believes there was a legal error in their trial, they can appeal to the Appeals Court, which reviews decisions from both the District and Superior Courts to ensure fairness and legal correctness. At the top of the hierarchy is the Supreme Judicial Court, the highest court in Massachusetts. This court primarily hears appeals on significant legal issues and ensures that justice is consistently applied across the state. Together, these courts work to maintain a fair and just legal system for handling criminal cases in Massachusetts.