Product Description

Recent updates:

• Update: October 2023

  Dear Subscriber:

  Thank you for updating your library with the latest version of the Massachusetts District Court Criminal Defense Manual . This newly revised publication brings updated resources within your immediate reach—for fast, accurate, and practical answers to your questions in this highly challenging area of practice.

  Highlights from the issues addressed in the 2023 Edition include:

  • the circumstances under which an accused is entitled to a clerk's hearing before the issuance of a criminal complaint;

  • a finding of ineffective assistance of counsel where a racist attorney purported to represent a Black client of Muslim faith;

  • the permissible scope of conditions of release;

  • the scope of pretrial detention authorized by G.L. c. 276, § 58A, and in particular a Supreme Judicial Court hold-ing that neither manslaughter nor assault and battery with a dangerous weapon involve the type of force for which detention would be warranted under the statute;

  • a newly added discussion of lack of criminal responsibility;

  • Supreme Judicial Court guidance on the evidentiary significance of the defendant's rap lyrics;

  • an addition to the mental health statute allowing prisoners to petition for transfer to a Department of Mental Health facility or Bridgewater State Hospital if they have been on mental health watch for seventy-two hours or are at serious risk of imminent and serious self-harm;

  • circumstances under which hearsay is considered substantially reliable for purposes of involuntary civil commit-ment hearings under G.L. c. 123, § 35;

  • discovery sought to support a claim of selective prosecution;

  • the sufficiency of affidavits offered in support of substantive motions;

  • challenges to gun charges based on the Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen, 142 S. Ct. 2111 (2022); and

  • recent developments in the law on voir dire and the use of peremptory challenges.

  We trust you will find this updated version of the Massachusetts District Court Criminal Defense Manual an invaluable resource for your practice.

  Cordially,

  John M. Lawlor, Esq. MCLE Publications Attorney

• Update: August 2021

  Dear Subscriber:

  Thank you for updating your criminal law practice library with the 2021 supplement to MCLE's Massachusetts District Court Criminal Defense Manual .

  With each revision and supplement we strive to provide you with both the most pressing updates in District Court criminal defense practice, as well as even more practical guidance and clear advice. This supplement addresses practice challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic (such as speedy trial rights) and also features:

  • a new discussion of GPS monitoring as a condition of release (See Chapter 8: Detention Hearings);

  • a heavily refreshed chapter that provides an introduction to the substantive and procedural aspects of representing defendants with mental disabilities (see Chapter 9: Mental Health Considerations at Arraignment and Beyond); and

  • guidance on motions to challenge racial profiling pursuant to Commonwealth v. Long (see Chapter 10: Pretrial Conferences, Pretrial Hearings, and Discovery and Chapter 11: Substantive Motion Practice).

  We at MCLE trust that you will find these new materials useful in your defense practice and in keeping your law library current. Thank you for your continued support.

  Cordially,

  Alexis J. LeBlanc, Esq., MCLE Publications Attorney

• Update: July 2019

  Dear Subscriber:

  Thank you for updating your criminal law practice library with the 2019 revision to MCLE's Massachusetts District Court Criminal Defense Manual .

  With each revision we strive to provide you with both the most pressing updates in District Court criminal defense practice, as well as even more practical guidance and clear advice. This edition features fresh perspectives from ten new authors. Highlights include:

  • a new chapter on building a relationship with your client (see Chapter 3);

  • practical insight on developing the theory of the case (see Chapter 4);

  • added discussion of the defenses of mere presence and personal use (see Chapter 5);

  • new guidance on motions to sever (see Chapter 11); and

  • a combined chapter on the intertwined topics of plea negotiations and sentencing (see Chapter 16).

  We at MCLE trust that you will find these new materials useful in your defense practice and in keeping your law library current. Thank you for your continued support.

  Cordially,

  Alexis J. LeBlanc, Esq., MCLE Publications Attorney

Table of Contents

Chapter 01 expand

Municipal Home Rule in Massachusetts

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Marilyn Contreas,
Robert W. Ritchie, Esq., Formerly Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General

Chapter 02 expand

Forms of Municipal Government and Methods of Governance

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Marilyn Contreas,
Robert W. Ritchie, Esq., Formerly Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General

Chapter 03 expand

The Municipal Attorney—A Community’s Chief Legal Officer

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James B. Lampke, Esq., Lampke & Lampke

Exhibit 3A

- Examples of Local Ordinances and Bylaws Pertaining to a Municipal Law Department Buy Form

Exhibit 3B

- SJC Rule 3:03—Legal Assistance to the Commonwealth and to Indigent Criminal Defendants, and to Indigent Parties in Civil Proceedings Buy Form

Exhibit 3C

- Selected Advisories and Opinions from the State Ethics Commission Buy Form

Exhibit 3D

- Conflict of Interest Law Opinion Regarding Shared or Joint Representation Buy Form

Exhibit 3E

- Representative List of Recent Seminars Offered by the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association (MMLA) Buy Form

Exhibit 3F

- Partial List of Cases in Which MMLA Filed Amicus Briefs Buy Form

Chapter 04 expand

Unique Representation Issues in the Municipal Context

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Arthur J. Goldberg, Esq.,

Chapter 05 expand

The Relationship Between the Federal Government and Local Government

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Paul Myer Kominers, Esq., Anderson Kreiger LLP
Mina Makarious, Esq., Anderson Kreiger LLP

Chapter 06 expand

Municipal Finance and Tax

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Kathleen Colleary, Esq., Retired, Division of Local Services, MA Department of Revenue

Chapter 07 expand

Civil Rights Claims Against Municipalities

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Thomas R. Donohue, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP
Leonard H. Kesten, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP
Francesca M. Papia, Esq., Brody, Hardoon, Perkins & Kesten LLP

Chapter 08 expand

School Law

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Joanne Agnoli, Robinson Donovan, PC
Nancy J. Campany, Esq., Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC
Michelle Allaire McNulty, Esq., Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, PC

Chapter 09 expand

Public Employee Collective Bargaining

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John M. Collins, Esq.,

Exhibit 9A

- Mandatory Subjects of Bargaining Buy Form

Exhibit 9B

- Examples of Nonmandatory Subjects of Bargaining Buy Form

Exhibit 9C

- Decisions Addressing Repudiation of Contract Buy Form

Exhibit 9D

- Decisions Addressing Unilateral Change Buy Form

Exhibit 9E

- Examples of Disputes Involving Impact Bargaining Buy Form

Chapter 10 expand

Chapter 30B, the Uniform Procurement Act: The Basics

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Joseph M. Cook, Esq., City of Northampton, Law Department

Chapter 11 expand

Secrets to a Successful Public Construction Project

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Jane E. Estey, Esq., Horsley Witten Group, Inc.
Christopher J. Petrini, Esq., Petrini & Associates, PC

Chapter 12 expand

Municipal Real Estate Transactions

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Ethan Blair Dively, Esq., Miyares and Harrington LLP
Christopher H. Heep, Esq., Miyares and Harrington LLP
Jennie M. Merrill, Esq., Miyares and Harrington LLP
Jonathan E. Simpson, Esq., Brookline, Town of/Town Counsel

Chapter 13 expand

Environmental Issues

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Gregor I. McGregor, Esq., McGregor Legere & Stevens, PC

Chapter 14 expand

Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing at the Local Level

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Ira H. Zaleznik, Esq., Lawson & Weitzen LLP

Exhibit 14A

- Notice to All Retail Licensees (Sept. 28, 2004) Buy Form

Chapter 15 expand

Gifts and Other Charitable Dispositions to the Municipal Corporation

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Joseph C. Cove, Esq.,

Chapter 16 expand

Insurance Coverage for Municipalities

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Deborah I. Ecker, Esq., KP Law, PC
Lauren F. Goldberg, Esq., KP Law, PC

Chapter 17 expand

Municipal Regulation of Telecommunications in the Public Way

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William August, Esq., Epstein & August LLP
William H. Solomon, Esq., Attorney Solomon Associates

Chapter 18 expand

Public Records

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Manza B. Arthur, Esq.,

Chapter 19 expand

Municipal Election Administration and Campaign Finance

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Lauren F. Goldberg, Esq., KP Law, PC
Brian W. Riley, Esq., KP Law, PC
Michelle K. Tassinari, Esq., Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Elections Division

Exhibit 19A

- Candidate’s Statement for Preliminary Nomination Papers in Accordance with G.L. c. 43, § 44C Buy Form

Exhibit 19B

- Petition Accompanying the Statement of Candidate in Accordance with G.L. c. 43, § 44C Buy Form

Exhibit 19C

- G.L. c. 41, § 109: Resignation; Notice; Residence Requirements Buy Form

Exhibit 19D

- Chapter 41, § 1B: Appointed Town Offices and Boards; Acceptance by Voters Buy Form

Exhibit 19E

- Chapter 225 of the Acts of 2000 Buy Form

Exhibit 19F

- Chapter 126 of the Acts of 1998 Buy Form

Exhibit 19G

- Chapter 5 of the Acts of 1999 Buy Form

Exhibit 19H

- Chapter 32 of the Acts of 1999 Buy Form

Exhibit 19I

- Examples of Appointed Official Attendance Bylaws Buy Form

Exhibit 19J

- Code of the Town of Chelmsford § 2–5 Buy Form

Exhibit 19K

- Charter of the Town of Swampscott § 2–5A Buy Form

Exhibit 19L

- G.L. c. 59, § 21C(m); Limitations on Total Taxes Assessed; Determination by Voters Buy Form

Exhibit 19M

- G.L. c. 43A, § 10 and Sample Referenda Procedures Buy Form

Exhibit 19N

- Town of Southbridge Home Rule Charter § 11 Buy Form

Exhibit 19O

- Town of Douglas General Bylaws Article I, Section 3 Buy Form

Exhibit 19P

- Chapter 89 of the Acts of 1998 Buy Form

Chapter 20 expand

Streets and Ways

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Stephen Bartlett, Esq., Foley Hoag LLP
Jeffrey B. Mullan, Esq., Foley Hoag LLP

Chapter 21 expand

Municipal Civil Service Law

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Michele M. Heffernan, Esq., Human Resources Division, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Melinda T. Willis, Esq., Commonwealth of Ma, Deputy General Counsel, Human Resources Division

Chapter 22 expand

Bankruptcy: Municipality as a Creditor

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John D. Finnegan, Esq., Hill Law
Robert J. Kerwin, Esq., Attorney At Law

Exhibit 22A

- Common Issues Litigated with Municipalities in the Bankruptcy Court Buy Form

Chapter 23 expand

The Conflict of Interest Law and Municipal Attorneys

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Eve Slattery,

Chapter 24 expand

Municipal Code Enforcement

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Andrew N. Bettinelli, Esq., Harrington Heep LLP
Donna M. Brewer, Esq., Harrington Heep LLP

Exhibit 24A

- Application in Support of an Application for an Administrative Warrant Buy Form

Chapter 25 expand

The Open Meeting Law

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Thomas A. Mullen, Esq., Thomas A. Mullen, PC

Chapter 26 expand

Defending Against Challenges to State Statutes and Regulations

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Eric Haskell, Esq., Middlesex Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Robert L. Quinan, Jr., Esq., Civil Service Commission, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Exhibit 26A

- Tips on Drafting Bylaws and Ordinances Buy Form

Exhibit 26B

- Questions to Ponder Before Challenging a Regulation Buy Form

Chapter 27 expand

Emerging Standards for Compliance with Chapters 93H and 93I

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Linda M. Hamel, Esq., Massachusetts Health Connector

Chapter 28 expand

Land Use Regulations

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Jonathan Murray,
Barbara J. Saint Andre, Esq., Community and Economic Development Department, Town of Medway
Jonathan D. Witten, Esq., Law Office of Jonathan Witten, LLC

Chapter 29 expand

Land Use Considerations for Cannabis Business Development

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Valerio G. Romano, Esq., VGR Law Firm LLC

Checklist 29.1

- Steps for Identifying Potential Zoning Issues Relative to Cannabis Business Zoning Buy Form

Checklist 29.2

- Steps for Adopting or Amending Unfavorable Zoning Ordinances or Bylaws Relative to Cannabis Business Zoning Buy Form

Exhibit 29A

- G.L. c. 40A, § 5: Adoption or Change of Zoning Ordinances or By-laws; Procedure Buy Form

Chapter 30 expand

Eminent Domain Law in Massachusetts—Municipal Issues

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Mark S. Bourbeau, Esq., Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan, PC
Jeffery A. Tocchio, Esq., Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan, PC

Chapter 31 expand

Massachusetts False Claims Act

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Cassandra H. Arriaza, Esq.,

Chapter 32 expand

Unfunded Mandates and the Local Law

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Sophia A. Apostola, Esq., Massachusetts Department of Public Health/General Counsel's Office

Chapter 33 expand

Professional Ethics

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Christine P. Deshler, Esq., Office of Bar Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers

Chapter 34 expand

What Access Do Employers Have to CORI?

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Agapi Koulouris, Esq., Dept. of Criminal Justice Information Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Exhibit 34A

- Summary of CORI Access Buy Form

Exhibit 34B

- Individual Registration Guide Buy Form

Exhibit 34C

- Organization Registration Guide Buy Form

Exhibit 34D

- Advocate/Attorney CORI Request and Affidavit of Indigency Buy Form

Exhibit 34E

- Attorney Request to Access CORI Buy Form

Exhibit 34F

- Model CORI Policy Buy Form

Exhibit 34G

- CORI Acknowledgment Form Buy Form

Exhibit 34H

- Complaint Form: Incorrect CORI Buy Form

Exhibit 34I

- Complaint Form: CORI Regulatory Violations Buy Form

Exhibit 34J

- Complaint Form: Improper Access or Dissemination of CORI Buy Form

Editor(s)

Author(s)