Thanks to Christopher for flagging this down: The SJC has made a rather uncomfortable "emergency" decision, in halving the number of signatures needed for some offices; extended deadlines; and required Sec. of Commonwealth Galvin to accept … [Read more...]
Massachusetts High Court Limits Police Searches in Small Marijuana Cases
First, and most obviously, it's an important step forward for marijuana decriminalization. The justices took seriously the notion that when Massachusetts voters said they didn't want police harassing marijuana users or using limited law … [Read more...]
Governor’s Council continues to cover itself in glory on judicial nominations
Cipollini is not alone in his determination to make foolish comments about Lenk's nomination. Councilor Jennie Caissie of Oxford called Patrick's comments odd. "I don't think he said when he found out that Fernande Duffly was a heterosexual … [Read more...]
Governor’s Council narrowly averts profoundly embarrassing itself
In a 4-3 vote, the Governor's Council has approved Governor Patrick's nomination of Appeals Court judge Fernande R.V. Duffly to the Supreme Judicial Court. The reasons given for the three "no" votes range from barely plausible to laughable. … [Read more...]
SJC releases damning probation report
I haven't read the report yet, but it sure sounds bad. The state's highest court, armed with a special counsel's report that details widespread "abuse and systemic corruption" in the state's Probation Department, said today the senior court … [Read more...]
SJC ssues major new case on evidentiary standards for non-jury hearings
Full opinion: Term NOTICE: The slip opinions and orders posted on this Web site are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. This preliminary material will be … [Read more...]
Trial Court Law clerks to be bought [oops – paid for!] by private law firms! See poll!
Now that he has eliminated guardian ad litems for education, Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert Mulligan [a/k/a "The CJAM] has come up with another bright idea - his plan, which looks like it will happen - let the big … [Read more...]
Rumors Fly About Prop 8 Day of Decision Being Thursday
UPDATED: May 20 2009 -- No opinions were announced for filing on Thursday, May 21, 2009. There is no pending notice of forthcoming opinion filings. When opinions are expected to file, notices are generally posted the day before. Opinions … [Read more...]
Ralph Gants for SJC
Well, this is downright uncanny. It is a very small world. Gov. Patrick nominated Ralph Gants for the SJC -- he's been a Superior Court judge for 11 years. Well, I actually served on a jury in Judge Gants' court, for a medical … [Read more...]
State House roundup: Global Warming, Justice Greaney, 1913; [update] overrides!
Several interesting tidbits from Beacon Hill today. The house unanimously passed the Global Warming Solutions act. The House version is not identical to the Senate's, so this is not a done deal yet, but according to the Globe the … [Read more...]