We’ve added the new Probate and Family Court Rules to our site. Here’s what you’ll find: New Supplemental Rules of the Probate and Family Court, which will replace the General Rules of the Probate Court and Supplemental Rules of the Probate Court on January 2, 2012   …Continue Reading Probate and Family Court Rules are Up

With the effective date of the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) just a few weeks away, the Probate and Family Court has issued the following court rules: New Supplemental Rules of the Probate and Family Court The rules are effective January 2, 2012, and will   …Continue Reading New Probate and Family Court Rules

In Comm. v. Hoyt, decided today, the SJC determined that an invocation of Miranda rights was unequivocal in the following exchange: EASON: “This right here states that you understood everything I just read to you. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to speak   …Continue Reading Miranda Waivers

In Globe Newspaper Co., Inc, Petitioner decided yesterday, the SJC clarified procedures for impoundment in criminal cases. This case involved the impoundment of an inquest report. MGL c. 38, § 10  makes specific provision for the impoundment of inquest transcripts, but is silent on inquest   …Continue Reading Impoundment in Criminal Cases

We’ve added two new pages: Law About Juries and Jury Service, and Law About Jury Selection. The first covers the right to a jury, jury service, and the conduct of a jury trial; the second, issues surrounding voir dire and other aspects of jury selection.

In Comm. v. Aviles, issued today, the SJC announced its intention to modify the first complaint doctrine. “Until now, we have considered the first complaint doctrine to be an “evidentiary rule“…  The admission of evidence in violation of such evidentiary rule, that is, in violation   …Continue Reading “First Complaint” Doctrine Modified