The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court yesterday ruled that defendants who pleaded guilty to drug charges based on lab tests performed by disgraced former state chemist Annie Dookhan cannot face more serious charges or receive harsher prison sentences if they are successful in obtaining new trials.  The name of the case is Bridgeman v. District...

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today reversed the murder conviction of a defendant who was allegedly involved in a fatal shooting in Dorchester because the trial judge improperly instructed the jury on the law of joint venture.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Sandro Tavares. (more…)

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today affirmed a superior court judge's decision to grant a new trial to a convicted murderer who proved that he suffered a stroke during his trial.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Brescia. (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today reversed the suppression order of a district court judge, ruling that Peabody police officers were correct in entering an apartment without a warrant to investigate a potential domestic disturbance.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Gordon. (more…)

The United States Supreme Court today ruled that the police may not order a motorist to wait, absent reasonable suspicion, for a K-9 unit to arrive to allow the dog to sniff the vehicle for drugs.  The name of the case is Rodriguez v. United States.  (more…)