Medicinal marijuana, supported by nearly two-thirds of Massachusetts voters on Nov. 6, is getting a much cooler reception from the Norfolk County officials who will have to administer the new law. Despite the fact that Norwood residents voted in favor of the law 7,766 to   …Continue Reading Norfolk County towns struggle with pot law.

According to the Patriot Ledger, Panzer, a six year old labrador mix is the first animal in the state to win protection from a new state law that allows pets in danger to be included in domestic violence restraining orders. For more information about 209A   …Continue Reading First animal in the state to win 209a protection

The SJC has issued new Rule 3:16: Practicing with Professionalism Course for New Lawyers. This rule is not effective until September 1, 2013, and applies only to attorneys admitted to the bar on or after that date. The rule will require all new lawyers to   …Continue Reading New SJC Rule Will Require Professionalism Course

In LaChance v. Commissioner of Correction, decided November 27, the SJC concluded that more procedural safeguards are required for inmates being held in segregated confinement for a significant period of time. The court said, in part: We conclude that LaChance’s ten-month administrative segregation in the   …Continue Reading SJC Rules on Segregated Confinement

http://bit.ly/WuyUky The 2012 Trouble in Toyland report is the 27th annual U.S. Public Interest Research Group survey of toy safety. In this report, U.S. PIRG provides safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves   …Continue Reading PIRG’S 2012 Trouble in Toyland toy safety report.

The Boston Globe published an article today, Mass. Among 23 States Where Adultery is a Crime, But Rarely Prosecuted. We thought we’d provide a little substantive law as background. The adultery statute in Massachusetts is MGL c.272, s.14,  which reads: A married person who has   …Continue Reading Adultery in Massachusetts

In Comm. v. Leggett, decided today, the Appeals Court was called on to “measure a reconstructed sentencing scheme against the standards of the prohibition against double jeopardy.” The court ruled that “when a defendant is convicted of both an underlying offense and [a related offense],   …Continue Reading Double Jeopardy and Restructured Sentences

The Supreme Judicial Court has issued a standing order regarding assignment of judges to cases involving allegations of misconduct at the William A. Hinton State Laboratory Institute. Dated November 9, 2012, it says: This Order is issued to facilitate the handling of matters  related to allegations of misconduct at the   …Continue Reading SJC Issues Standing Order Re: Drug Lab Cases

This week, three states passed same-sex marriage laws: Maine, Maryland and Washington. Here is what we were able to determine about when same-sex couples can marry in those states: Maine: According to the Bangor Daily News: “The secretary of state has 20 days to approve   …Continue Reading Effective Dates for New Same-Sex Marriage Laws

MGL c.111, s.226 as added by St.2012, c.224, s.103, bans mandatory overtime for nurses except in emergency situations. Here are some highlights of the new law: Nurses cannot be regularly scheduled for more than “12 hours in any 24 hour period.” A “hospital shall not require   …Continue Reading Ban on Mandatory Overtime for Nurses Effective Today