The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today affirmed the first-degree murder conviction of a man who gunned down an acquaintance in a car in 2010.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Miguel Roman.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today affirmed the murder conviction of a man who participated in a home invasion in Lawrence that ultimately resulted in the shooting death of the drug dealer who lived in the apartment.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Joonel Garcia.  (more…)

In his State of the Judicial speech delivered today, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants argued that the Legislature should enact legislation to end mandatory sentencing in drug cases.  Gants, who has served on the Supreme Judicial Court since 2009, was elevated to chief justice three months ago upon the retirement of...

In an important decision issued yesterday, the Massachusetts Appeals Court vacated a contempt finding against a criminal defense attorney, Donald Brisson, who disobeyed a trial judge's order to produce notes related to his representation of clients.  The case is Commonwealth v. Derek Hunt. The defendant was charged in connection with the 2003 shooting death...

In a decision that could have far-reaching implications for future drug prosecutions, the Massachusetts Appeals Court today reversed drug possession convictions of a woman that resulted from her arrest in Haverhill.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Dolores Paine. In October of 2008, a state trooper came upon a pickup truck parked...