THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM has a well-founded reputation for focusing on punishing offenders, but the Massachusetts court system is preparing to launch a three-year experiment this spring utilizing an approach called restorative justice. Restorative justice, broadly, works to rehabilitate those who commit crimes and address the harm they have done by working with victims and […]
Courts
Posted inCourts
When is a spouse not a spouse under Medicaid rules?
After five years of back and forth on the issue, including three formal hearings, MassHealth denied Tingos coverage, even after he passed away in 2020. The state agency said Tingos’s wife was not “genuinely uncooperative.”
Posted inCourts
Former alderman gets two years in federal bribery case that rocked Somerville and Medford
An attempt to bribe Medford’s police chief –- part of a scheme to obtain approvals for a marijuana company that would earn him a six-figure yearly payout – earned former Somerville attorney and alderman Sean O’Donovan a two-year federal prison sentence
Posted inCourts
Healey nominates former partner for state’s highest court
A New York native, Gabrielle Wolohojian was appointed to the Appeals Court by Gov. Deval Patrick, and has authored 900 decisions while sitting on 2,700 appeals since 2008.
Posted inCourts
No easy answers on child protection — but here’s a start
A move by state government to separate a child from their family is among the most difficult decisions government makes. We can create a system that protects children and supports families by following 5 key principles.
Posted inCourts
O’Brien’s lawyer says he’s ‘unaware’ of probe behind subpoena report
A lawyer for suspended cannabis regulator Shannon O’Brien said he’s not aware of any federal investigation into his client and has not the subpoena that the Boston Globe reported was sent to state officials last fall.
Posted inCourts
New gig work ballot question lawsuit explained
A coalition of labor leaders and ride-share drivers is asking the Supreme Judicial Court to block ballot measures that would classify the drivers as independent contractors rather than employees under Massachusetts law – and the suit may feel like déjà vu.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Incarceration and crime rates both down sharply since 2018 reforms
Five years after Massachusetts enacted sweeping reforms aimed at reducing incarceration and addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, a new study says the state has seen sharp decreases in both incarceration and crime rates.
Posted inOpinion
A generational ban on tobacco products is a bad idea
Ultimately, the flavor ban did not eliminate consumer use of flavored tobacco products. It just shifted where consumers purchased their goods.
Posted inPolitics
Short takes: Baker makes his exit from Mass. politics official
According to campaign finance records, his gubernatorial campaign account was dissolved on January 4 and so was the super PAC that he helped launch in 2019 to support largely centrist candidates across Massachusetts.