Massachusetts General Laws Part III. Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases (Ch. 211-262) Ch. 218, § 44

Processes issuing from district courts shall be under the seal of the court, signed by hand or electronically by the clerk or an assistant clerk or temporary clerk or temporary assistant clerk, and shall bear teste of the justice, or, in the Boston municipal court department, the chief justice, unless he is a party or unless his office is vacant, and in such cases they shall bear teste of the special justice who holds the senior commission or the senior associate justice. The process, civil or criminal, of a district court shall run throughout the commonwealth for service in any case or proceeding within its jurisdiction.