Portsmouth District Court is part of the New Hampshire Judicial Branch court systems and oversees all misdemeanor cases, traffic violations and has a juvenile and family court. Arraignments for felony crimes committed in the city and surrounding New Hampshire Seacoast towns of Newington, Greenland, Rye and New Castle are handled here. The Hon. Sawako Tachibana Gardner presides as justice here and the Hon. Sharon N. DeVries serves as special justice. Janice Newson serves as the clerk of courts.