The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today overturned the conviction of a young man who was found guilty of firearms offenses, ruling the police lacked constitutional authority to stop and search him.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Meneus.  (more…)

In an important decision delivered today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court reversed a drug dealing conviction after the prosecutor was permitted to elicit testimony from a police witness that the defendant did not "look" like a crack cocaine user (and, therefore, must be a dealer).  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Horne. ...

In reversing a superior court judge's allowance of two men's motions to suppress evidence and statements, the Massachusetts Appeals Court today ruled the men were not in custody despite being approached in a restaurant parking lot by two police officers, being ordered not to move, and being separated for interrogation.  The name of the...

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today affirmed the first-degree murder conviction of a man who was found guilty by jurors who were permitted by the judge to watch news coverage of the killing.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Martinez.  (more…)

In an important decision delivered yesterday, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court limited the application of the school zone statute to defendants charged with drug dealing crimes.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Peterson.  (more…)