[4] The Boston Police Court has the distinction of participating in the initial development of the modern concept of probation in the United States.

In 1841 John Augustus, the "Father of Probation", persuaded a judge in the Police Court to give him custody of a convicted "common drunkard" for a brief period.

The judge was so impressed with his sober and dignified appearance that he waived the usual penalty of 30 days in jail and instead levied a fine of one cent plus court costs ($3.76).

Augustus was also the first to apply the term "probation" to his method of treating offenders from the Latin verb "probare": to prove, to test.

[7] The continued success of the system led to its extension to district and police courts in other towns and cities in the state.

The types of civil cases that may be filed in the BMC include contract, tort and replevin actions in which the likely recovery does not exceed $50,000;[8][Note 1] small claims cases in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,000[Note 2] (initially tried before a magistrate, with a defense right of appeal either to a judge or jury); summary process/eviction cases; supplementary process cases; mental health matters (including involuntary commitments and medication orders, and supervision of criminal defendants committed for mental observation or have been found incompetent to stand trial, or after an insanity acquittal); abuse prevention/restraining orders and harassment prevention orders; civil motor vehicle infraction appeals (initially tried before a magistrate, with a right of appeal to a judge and a final appeal to the appellate division); paternity and support actions; and violations of certain city ordinances and by-laws.