THE US DEPARTMENT of Justice has concluded in a scathing report that the state Department of Correction is violating its constitutional obligations by failing to provide adequate mental health services to prisoners. The 28-page investigation is […]
Courts
Posted inHealth Care
Overturning Affordable Care Act could cost Massachusetts billions
THE US SUPREME COURT heard arguments Tuesday in a case that could overturn the Affordable Care Act – with major economic and health insurance implications for Massachusetts. Two key justices – Chief […]
Posted inUncategorized
Baker nominates Kimberly Budd as chief justice
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday nominated Associate Justice Kimberly S. Budd, the only person of color on the Supreme Judicial Court, to become chief justice — the highest judicial position […]
Posted inUncategorized
Mass. judge stays Fair Housing Act changes
A FEDERAL JUDGE on Sunday night issued a temporary injunction barring the federal government from moving ahead with an overhaul of the 52-year-old Fair Housing Act that would have increased […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Lawsuit over civil commitments targets Hampden sheriff’s program
A LAWSUIT TO end the practice of confining civilly committed men with substance use disorders in prisons has been expanded to directly target a substance use program at the Hampden County House […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
US attorney establishes new civil rights task force
US ATTORNEY ANDREW LELLING said Friday that he is establishing a new Civil Rights Task Force to help local and state law enforcement prevent, investigate, and prosecute civil rights violations in Massachusetts. The […]
Posted inPolitics
Galvin settles lawsuit over voting access for people with disabilities
SECRETARY OF STATE William Galvin has settled a lawsuit filed by disability rights groups in a way that will make it easier for voters with disabilities to request an electronic […]
Posted inUncategorized
Courts gear up for eviction crush
IN PREPARATION for an influx of eviction cases when the statewide moratorium ends this weekend, housing courts across Massachusetts are gearing up to make the process more accessible with translators, […]
Posted inUncategorized
Higher immigration fees put on hold
FOR THOUSANDS of Massachusetts immigrants worried about paying higher fees for immigration and citizenship applications, the significant increases have been held at bay —at least temporarily. A federal judge in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Medical parole for prisoners doesn’t mean immediate release
RAYMOND VINNIE, serving a life sentence for murder but incapacitated by colon cancer and a stroke, was granted medical parole from MCI-Norfolk. But weeks passed, and Vinnie was not released. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Kraft will not be tried for soliciting prostitution
FLORIDA PROSECUTORS on Thursday announced they were dropping misdemeanor charges against Kraft for soliciting prostitution, after a court ruled that the video evidence against him could not be used. The […]
Posted inUncategorized
A term limit solution to SCOTUS circus?
THE IDEA THAT the future tilt of the Supreme Court rested with Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s oncologists is about all you need to know to understand something is wrong with how […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
History suggests SJC rulings will improve policing
IF HISTORY IS a guide, three unanimous Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rulings on race and police practices issued last week will make policing more effective and more just. In one, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Bar oversight agency considers misconduct by attorneys in lab scandal case
THE STATE Board of Bar Overseers on Monday began a two-week hearing to decide whether to recommend disciplinary action against three attorneys who worked for former attorney general Martha Coakley, who are accused […]
Posted inOpinion
SJC off base on Baker’s emergency powers
DURING LAST WEEK’S Supreme Judicial Court hearing on the lawsuit challenging Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 emergency declaration and orders, several justices appeared receptive to the argument that the governor’s declaration […]
Posted inThe Download
SJC lobbies lawmakers on police reform
As conference committee members negotiate a final version of a police reform bill, the committee’s senators just got a powerful ally: The Supreme Judicial Court. The SJC on Thursday, in […]
Posted inRace/Racism
SJC lobbies lawmakers on police reform
AS CONFERENCE COMMITTEE members negotiate a final version of a police reform bill, the committee’s senators just got a powerful ally: The Supreme Judicial Court. The SJC on Thursday, in […]
Posted inOpinion
Remembering Ralph Gants
AT AGE 15, Ralph Gants protested outside one of the exclusive country clubs in his hometown. Blacks and Jews were not welcome at the club. Ralph and a small group […]
Posted inUncategorized
For SJC, Baker tends to favor smart, moderate judges
IF THERE WERE EVER an example of the enormous power of the governor, it is this: Gov. Charlie Baker, with his next two picks, will appoint the entire seven-member bench […]
Posted inUncategorized
Appeals court backs Trump on immigrant program
A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT has ruled the Trump administration can end humanitarian protections that have allowed more than 300,000 people from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan to remain in the United States, including thousands in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
SJC Chief Justice Ralph Gants dies
ONLY 10 DAYS after being hospitalized with a heart attack, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants spent Monday morning on the phone from his home talking to attorneys and advocates about the state’s eviction moratorium and pending eviction […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Baker looks to leverage bail controversy
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM supporters have been pushing to draw attention to the role played by bail in the legal system. Whether this will end up being a case of “be […]
Posted inOpinion
Tenants facing eviction need legal representation
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT of the coronavirus has hurt a lot of people, but few have been hit harder than low-income renters and communities of color. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Study spotlights racial disparities in state criminal justice system
A NEW REPORT prompted by the huge overrepresentation of blacks and Latinos in Massachusetts prisons zeroes in on disparities at various stages of the court system’s handling of cases that […]