Massachusetts’ highest court has approved a jury instruction on implicit bias for use at all criminal and civil trials in the state. This is an important step forward in ensuring that people charged with crimes are treated fairly. What are jury ins…
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Identity fraud is a serious and widespread offense. The Federal Trade Commission logged over one million identity fraud reports in 2024. Identity fraud can also lead to a wide range of harm like bad credit and lost personal information. Because this…
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CAN MENTAL HEALTH AFFECT CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY? Can Mental Illness Be Used as a Defense in a Criminal Case? Yes. If someone has been charged with a crime but has a history of serious mental illness, you might wonder whether they can be held legally…
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When Is Property Damage Considered a Hate Crime in Massachusetts? Under Massachusetts law, damaging someone’s property becomes a hate crime when it is done to intimidate them because of their identity. To convict someone under this law, the prosecu…
Gang affiliation can be a powerful piece of evidence. It can also be deeply unfair if misused. Massachusetts courts take this seriously. They set clear limits on how gang evidence can be used at trial. So, what rules protect the fairness of a trial w…
How Courts Handle “Consciousness of Guilt” in Massachusetts Imagine someone runs from the police after discovering they’re about to be arrested. Someone might say, “See! That shows a guilty conscience!” Showing a guilty conscience might see…
What is a Jury Foreperson? The jury foreperson is like the team captain of the jury. They help keep deliberations on track, ensure that every juror has a chance to speak, and handle the paperwork once a decision is reached. In both criminal and civil…
What Is Revenge Porn and Why Is It a Serious Crime? Sexual abuse can take many forms. One that’s gaining more attention is revenge porn. This occurs when someone shares explicit images of another person without their permission, often to humiliate…
In March 2025, an important new change to the rule on discovery went into effect. These changes will impact the duty prosecutors have to provide people accused of crimes with the evidence they have in their possession, custody, or control. This new r…
Animal cruelty is a crime in Massachusetts. The highest court in the state recently decided a new case on the defense of animal cruelty. What are the facts of the new case? In the new case, Commonwealth v. Robin Adams, a man took his dog to a public…
