Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Decisions
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is one of the oldest state supreme courts in the U.S. It was known as the Superior Court of Judicature when it was founded in 1692. Three of its chief justices have served on the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court has the authority to review appeals of criminal and civil cases, and it holds the unusual power to provide advisory opinions. The executive branch or the legislative branch may request these opinions. The site of the Court is the John Adams Courthouse in Boston.
There are no specific requirements for becoming a justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. A justice simply must be under 70 years old and maintain good behavior while serving on the Court. The Governor of Massachusetts appoints each of the seven justices on the Court, although they also must be approved by the executive council. In contrast to the supreme courts in many other states, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court does not impose term limits on its justices. Once they are appointed, they may serve until they turn 70, at which age they are required to retire. The same rules apply to the appointment and tenure of the Chief Justice as to the six Associate Justices.
However, a judge may face removal from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for reasons related to misconduct or a disability. The Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct will investigate any complaint of misconduct by a justice, and it will hold a formal hearing and provide a recommendation on whether the justice should be removed or face other discipline. A justice who engages in misconduct also may face removal by impeachment in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and conviction in the Massachusetts Senate. In other situations, the Governor may remove a justice with the approval of the Governor’s Council and with the joint address of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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Recent Decisions From the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Date: July 11, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-12229
Justia Opinion Summary: The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder for the stabbing death of Jordan Baskin. After his conviction, the defendant filed a motion for a new trial, claiming his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance…
Date: July 10, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13526
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Pure Oasis LLC, which applied for a conditional use permit to operate a recreational cannabis dispensary in Boston. The building commissioner denied the permit, and Pure Oasis appealed to the Board of…
Date: July 9, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13505
Justia Opinion Summary: In November 2004, a sixteen-year-old juvenile stalked and robbed a victim at gunpoint, repeatedly raped her in her home, and then bound, gagged, and robbed her roommate when she arrived. He was sentenced to state prison…
Date: July 3, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13078
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the defendant, Mark O'Brien, who was convicted of first-degree murder for the killing of Robert McKenna. The murder occurred during a robbery scheme where O'Brien and his two co-venturers entered…
Date: June 27, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13559
Justia Opinion Summary: This case involves five ballot initiative petitions related to the classification of "app-based drivers" (drivers) as employees of delivery network companies or transportation network companies (collectively, companies).…
Date: June 27, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13572
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the certification of Initiative Petition 23-35, "An Act Giving Transportation Network Drivers the Option to Form a Union and Bargain Collectively" by the Attorney General. The plaintiffs argued…
Date: June 27, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13609 & 13610
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves two groups of plaintiffs, referred to as the Schneider plaintiffs and the Page plaintiffs, who challenged the title and one-sentence "yes/no" statements prepared by the Attorney General and the…
Date: June 24, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-12887
Justia Opinion Summary: In June 2015, Jose Lora, a member of the Kilby Street Posse (KSP), a Worcester-based gang, shot and killed David Luyando, an innocent bystander, at a cemetery. Lora was targeting Kevin Parker, a member of a rival gang,…
Date: June 17, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13507
Justia Opinion Summary: A general contractor, Graycor Construction Company Inc., was involved in a dispute with a subcontractor, Business Interiors Floor Covering Business Trust, over unpaid invoices for flooring work performed on a movie…
Date: June 14, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13514
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a dispute over the eligibility of a married individual, Costa Tingos, for Medicaid long-term care benefits. Costa and his wife, Mary, had been married for over 50 years, but had kept their finances…
Date: June 13, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13560
Justia Opinion Summary: A group of Massachusetts registered voters challenged the Attorney General's certification of Initiative Petition 23-12, which proposed "a Law Requiring the Full Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers with Tips on Top." The…
Date: June 10, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13497
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Edward A. Cianci and Raymond Frechette, who purchased a foreclosed property and initiated a summary process action in the Housing Court against the occupants, including Elizabeth D'Andrea. The Housing…
Date: June 7, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13490
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a dispute between William Good and Uber Technologies, Inc., and Rasier, LLC (collectively, Uber), and one of its drivers, Jonas Yohou. Good, a chef, used Uber's mobile application to secure a ride. On…
Date: June 3, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13506
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a defendant, Nelson Barros, who was charged with assault and battery on a household member. Barros, a noncitizen, chose to represent himself during his arraignment and plea hearing. He signed a form…
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
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