Verdict . News

1w ago•4 min read

•The Supreme Judicial Court ruled that habeas corpus provides an available remedy for challenging civil commitment when no qualified examiner opines the person is sexually dangerous

Massachusetts High Court Rules on Habeas Relief in Sex Offender Cases

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in *Edward Pierce, petitioner* that habeas corpus provides an available remedy for challenging civil commitment under the sexually dangerous persons statute when no qualified examiner opines that the individual meets the criteria for commitment.

•The decision builds on the 2009 *Johnstone* precedent requiring at least one qualified examiner opinion for civil commitment under G.L. c. 123A

2w ago•4 min read

•Jorge Santana seeks to withdraw 2018 guilty plea claiming attorney failed to advise about deportation consequences

Massachusetts SJC Hears Plea Withdrawal Case on Immigration Advice

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is reviewing Commonwealth v. Santana, a case examining whether a defendant can withdraw his guilty plea after claiming his attorney failed to inform him of deportation consequences. Jorge Santana, a lawful U.S. resident, pleaded guilty to drug charges in 2018 that triggered automatic deportation proceedings.

•Case centers on Padilla v. Kentucky standards requiring immigration advice for noncitizen defendants

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

•Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Resende interpretation of 'separate incidences' is binding precedent, not obiter dictum

Massachusetts High Court Clarifies Armed Career Criminal Statute

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Lewis that its prior interpretation of 'separate incidences' under the state's armed career criminal statute was binding precedent, not mere commentary. The decision reinforces the sequential prosecution rule for enhanced sentencing in firearms cases.

•Sequential prosecution rule requires prior convictions occur before commission of subsequent predicate crimes

Jan 20, 2026•4 min read

•Court ruled that being 'on release' requires actual posting of bail, not just having bail set

SJC: Crimes in Detention Don't Count as 'On Release' Offenses

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Lewis v. Commonwealth that a defendant cannot be considered 'on release' for purposes of state bail law if they remain in detention after bail is set but not posted. The decision clarifies an important distinction in Massachusetts bail statutes.

•Decision affects interpretation of G.L. c. 276, § 58 regarding crimes committed while on release

Dec 16, 2025•4 min read

•Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court addressed whether contractual provisions prohibiting liquor license collateralization violate public policy

Massachusetts SJC Rules on Liquor License Collateral Restrictions

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court addressed whether contractual provisions prohibiting the use of liquor licenses as loan collateral violate public policy. The case involves a commercial lease dispute between N&M Trust VII and Burn, LLC over alcoholic beverage licensing rights.

•Case involves commercial lease dispute between N&M Trust VII and Burn, LLC over alcoholic beverage licensing arrangements

Dec 12, 2025•4 min read

•Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied Kyle Culotta's petition challenging pretrial detention on unlicensed firearm charges

Massachusetts High Court Denies Pretrial Detention Appeal in Gun Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied Kyle Culotta's petition challenging his pretrial detention on multiple unlicensed firearm charges. Culotta argued that unlicensed gun possession should not qualify as grounds for dangerousness detention under state law.

•Culotta argued that unlicensed gun possession should not qualify as grounds for dangerousness detention under state law

Dec 12, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Judicial Court affirmed denial of relief to property owner Penny A. Jean in development dispute

Mass. High Court Affirms Ruling Against Property Owner in Development Dispute

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a lower court's denial of relief to Penny A. Jean in a property development dispute. Jean had sought to overturn various rulings in a breach of contract case involving a failed joint venture agreement with business partners.

•Original case involved joint venture agreement for property subdivision that Jean allegedly breached

Dec 9, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Judicial Court reviewing conviction for violating abuse prevention order without entering protected property

Mass. High Court Reviews Protective Order Violation Evidence Standards

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is reviewing Commonwealth v. Skipper Carino, a case that challenges how courts determine sufficient proximity to violate abuse prevention orders. The case raises questions about photographic evidence and what constitutes staying away from a protected person's residence.

•Case challenges evidence standards for proximity-based violations of 'stay away' orders

Dec 3, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Judicial Court established new standard for ineffective counsel claims when attorneys ignore client requests for plea negotiations

Massachusetts High Court Rules on Ineffective Counsel in Plea Bargain Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court established new standards for ineffective assistance of counsel claims, ruling that attorneys who ignore client requests for plea negotiations may violate constitutional rights. The decision stems from a decades-old homicide case involving Gary E. Mosso.

•Two-part test requires showing attorney conduct was unreasonable and that prejudice resulted from failure to pursue requested plea bargains