In a terrible decision issued today, the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled an experienced police officer can stop and detain a suspected drug dealer even if the officer does not see the suspect exchange an object with the alleged buyer.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Sanders.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today affirmed the seemingly obvious legal principle that the jury should not know that a defendant is in custody at the time of the trial.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Rocheleau.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today affirmed a Boston man's drug conviction, ruling it was appropriate for the police to conduct the strip search that led to the discovery of the cocaine.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Vick. (more…)

While acknowledging a police officer's affidavit in support of a search warrant was "not a model of detail or clarity," the Massachusetts Appeals Court today nonetheless upheld the issuance of a search warrant that led to the defendant's indictment for trafficking heroin.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Perez.  (more…)

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today upheld a district court judge's ruling that Boston police officers unlawfully searched an arrestee's backpack that was found in the back of his car that was about to be towed.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. Nicoleau.  (more…)