The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today ruled that double jeopardy principles do not prohibit the prosecutor from charging a defendant with larceny when he was already acquitted of receiving stolen property (related to the same property) at a prior trial.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Rodriguez.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today reversed the conviction of a man who was hired by a Marshfield couple to perform home improvement work but didn't finish the job after receiving payment.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Long.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today affirmed the seemingly obvious legal principle that the jury should not know that a defendant is in custody at the time of the trial.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Rocheleau.  (more…)

In upholding a woman's animal cruelty conviction for starving her dog to death, the Massachusetts Appeals Court today ruled it was proper for the trial judge to prohibit her from owning any pets as a condition of her probation.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Waller.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today ordered a criminal defendant to pay restitution to his victim for storage fees that were accumulated when the police department failed to tell the victim where his car had been stored.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Buckley.  (more…)