GREENFIELD — The director of community prosecution projects at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has been nominated by Gov. Maura Healey to serve as a District Court associate justice. “She’s been a key assistant district attorney,” Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said of Michaels, noting that he encouraged her to apply for a judgeship. The District Court Department hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health and other types of cases, according to Gov. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000.