WHEN I RECENTLY sought a public document from a state court, the clerk asked me to request it by fax. In 2022, who operates via fax? Reporters are not alone in their woes with the court’s antiquated technology. Many courthouses do not have wi-fi, even for employees who move between their desks and a courtroom. […]
Courts
Posted inCourts, Politics, State Government
SJC upholds no-excuse voting by mail
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT will uphold the VOTES Act, the new law that allows Massachusetts residents to vote early by mail for any reason. The court on Monday announced that it will reject a challenge by a group of Massachusetts Republican Party leaders and side entirely with Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin to keep […]
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, State Government
Governor’s Council candidate would seek pro-choice, anti-racist judges
IF MARA DOLAN were interviewing a judicial nominee, she would want to know three things: whether the person supports abortion rights, whether they understand substance use disorders, and whether they are anti-racist. “Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe versus Wade, it’s essential that everyone working within the criminal justice system and in our […]
Posted inCourts
SJC hears arguments on whether to allow permanent voting by mail
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT is poised to decide whether to overturn the new law allowing Massachusetts residents to vote by mail for any reason. Gov. Charlie Baker on June 22 signed the VOTES Act, a bill passed by the Democratic-led Legislature allowing no-excuse mail-in voting along with expanded early voting, electronic voting for people with disabilities […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
She recorded her abuser, then she faced charges
THE WOMAN’S HUSBAND pushed her down on her bed and placed a pillow over her face. He threatened her and the couple’s young child, according to court findings granting the woman a restraining order. The woman, who lives on the South Shore, recorded her husband without his consent, taping phone conversations and conversations inside their […]
Posted inOpinion
Mass. should decriminalize sex work
AS THE AFTERSHOCK from the reversal of Roe. v Wade continues, Massachusetts has the opportunity to increase bodily autonomy and safety to women and gender-diverse residents. Massachusetts should decriminalize sex work so that it no longer has to operate in the shadows, where sex workers are more likely to experience violence. It’s a step that’s already […]
Posted inCourts
Tran calls gun theft indictment politically motivated
AFTER CONGRESSIONAL candidate Dean Tran was indicted on charges that he stole a gun from an elderly constituent, Tran defiantly issued a statement slamming Attorney General Maura Healey for “partisan corruption” and indicating that he will remain in the race. Tran, a Republican, said in the statement, “Her false and pathetic allegations are untrue and […]
Posted inGuns
Congressional candidate Dean Tran indicted for theft
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL candidate and former Fitchburg state senator Dean Tran was indicted Friday on charges that he stole a firearm from an elderly constituent, then misled investigators about the incident. CommonWealth first reported on the allegations in April 2020 and said the attorney general’s office and the Fitchburg police were investigating Tran over an incident […]
Posted inOpinion
“We cannot lose our hard-fought equality”
SINCE 1973, access to abortion care has been a constitutional right in America. This past week, the Supreme Court took that right away, the first time ever that the Court has removed a right from the majority of the population. Although the leaked draft warned us, it is still a shock to lose our rights […]
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
After three decades behind bars, man released because racism tainted his murder trial
AFTER SPENDING 31 years in prison for murder, Corey Glover walked out of MCI-Norfolk a free man on May 4, after arguing successfully that a juror’s racism prevented him from getting a fair trial. “I’m not bitter, I’m better,” Glover, now 51 years old, says in an hour-long interview over Zoom. But talk to Glover […]