Mass Supreme Judicial Court Cases

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Since the establishment of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in 1692, the state’s highest court has heard a number of high-profile cases. The following are some of the most significant cases heard by the court in recent history.

In 2003, the court ruled that same-sex couples had the right to marry in the state of Massachusetts. The case, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, was brought by seven same-sex couples who had been denied marriage licenses by the state. The court found that the Constitution of Massachusetts requires that all individuals be given the same rights and protections, including the right to marry.

In 2007, the court upheld the state’s ban on assault weapons. The case, Commonwealth v. Bejano, concerned a man who was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm after he was found with a banned assault weapon. The court ruled that the ban on assault weapons was constitutional, finding that the weapons are not protected by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.

In 2012, the court ruled that a Massachusetts law that allowed for secret surveillance of individuals without a warrant was unconstitutional. The case, Commonwealth v. Gelfgatt, involved a man who was charged with possession of child pornography after police obtained a warrant to search his computer using information gathered from a secret surveillance program. The court ruled that the law allowing for secret surveillance without a warrant was unconstitutional, finding that it violated the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

In 2015, the court ruled that Massachusetts’ ban on stun guns was unconstitutional. The case, Commonwealth v. Caetano, involved a woman who was charged with possession of a stun gun after she was found with a stun gun in her purse. The court ruled that the ban on stun guns was unconstitutional, finding that the weapons were not protected by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Table of Contents

How do I look up court cases in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, court cases are public record and can be accessed by anyone. To look up court cases in Massachusetts, you can visit the website of the Massachusetts Trial Court. This website provides a searchable database of all court cases that have been filed in Massachusetts. You can search by the name of the defendant or the name of the case.

Did the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts uphold the defendant’s conviction did the course render the correct decision?

On July 17, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts upheld the defendants conviction in a unanimous decision. The Court found that the course of action taken by the lower court was correct and that the evidence was sufficient to support the defendants conviction.

The case in question involved a defendant who was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The weapon in question was a knife that the defendant had used during an altercation with another person. The defendant appealed the lower courts decision, arguing that the evidence was not sufficient to support the conviction.

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts disagreed, finding that the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction. The Court ruled that the lower court had acted correctly in finding the defendant guilty of the charge.

How many supreme courts are there in Massachusetts?

There are three supreme courts in Massachusetts. The Supreme Judicial Court is the highest court in the state. It has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters. The Massachusetts Court of Appeals is the state’s intermediate appellate court. It hears appeals from the Superior Court and the Appeals Court. The Appeals Court is the state’s first appellate court. It hears appeals from the District Court and certain other courts.

What kind of cases are heard in Superior Court Massachusetts?

Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction in Massachusetts. This means that it hears a wide variety of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters.

Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over most criminal cases in Massachusetts. This means that it is the only court that can hear these cases. The only exception is for cases that are appealed to a higher court.

Superior Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over family law cases in Massachusetts. This means that it is the only court that can hear these cases. The only exception is for cases that are appealed to a higher court.

Superior Court also hears a variety of civil cases. These cases can include disputes between two individuals, disputes between businesses, and disputes between the government and a private citizen.

Superior Court also hears probate cases. These cases can include disputes over the interpretation of a will, the appointment of a guardian for a minor, or the administration of an estate.

Are civil cases public record?

Civil cases in the United States are generally public record. This means that anyone can access the court filings and other documents related to the case, with a few exceptions. This applies to both civil and family law cases.

There are a few exceptions to this general rule. For example, documents related to grand jury proceedings are not public record. Additionally, some documents related to juvenile cases may be sealed from public view.

There are a few reasons why civil cases are generally public record. One is that the court system is built on the principle of openness, so that the public can observe the proceedings and assess the fairness of the process. Another reason is that the public has a vested interest in knowing what is happening in the civil courts, especially in cases that may affect them directly.

There are some drawbacks to making civil cases public record. For example, it can be difficult for people involved in a case to keep their personal information confidential. Additionally, the release of certain information can be damaging to someone’s reputation.

Overall, civil cases are generally public record in the United States. However, there are a few exceptions, and people involved in a case should be aware of the potential implications of making information public.

Are divorce records public Massachusetts?

Yes, divorce records in Massachusetts are public record. Anyone can access them by visiting the Probate and Family Court in the county where the divorce took place.

The divorce records will include the names of the couple, the date of the divorce, and the grounds for the divorce. They may also include financial information, child custody arrangements, and other details related to the divorce.

divorces are public record in massachusetts

What is Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure?

Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure governs the issuance of subpoenas. A subpoena is a document that orders a person to appear in court to testify or to produce documents or other physical evidence.

A subpoena must be issued by a judge or an attorney for the Commonwealth. It must specify the time and place of the appearance, and the nature of the testimony or evidence that is required.

A person who is served with a subpoena must comply with the order. Failure to do so may result in civil or criminal penalties.

Mass Supreme Judicial Court Cases6 min read