Supreme Judicial Court Justice David Lowy will leave the bench on February 3 – well before the required retirement age of 70 – to serve as general counsel of the University of Massachusetts system.
Courts
Posted inCourts
Switchblades in the SJC firing line
The state’s highest court is preparing to consider whether an absolute ban on carrying switchblade knives violates the Second Amendment.
Posted inBy The Numbers
Study finds Boston shoplifting rates up from pre-pandemic levels
With Black Friday signaling the arrival of the holiday shopping season, a new report says shoplifting rates in Boston are up compared to levels before the pandemic, though the city has avoided the spike in retail theft that several major US cities have experienced.
Posted inCourts
SJC prods Brookline’s ‘novel’ phased tobacco ban
The Supreme Judicial Court is weighing the legality of a Brookline ordinance that bans tobacco sales to anyone born in 2000 or later, a move that would eventually phase out all tobacco sales in the town.
Posted inEducation
SJC justices raise concerns about Tufts tenure tinkering
The Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments about a change to the tenure guidelines at Tufts School of Medicine that cuts salaries of those who fail to raise enough money to support their labs. Several justices seemed wary of the changes.
Posted inCourts
Short takes: Extended hunt for SJC justice
“Third time’s the charm” is a proverb, not necessarily a legal doctrine. Even so, the team tasked by Gov. Maura Healey to help fill an upcoming vacancy on the state’s highest court is again extending the application deadline for people interested in becoming a justice on the Supreme Judicial Court.
Posted inCourts
Judge sides with Healey administration in capping emergency shelter program
A Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a bid to block Gov. Maura Healey from capping the state’s emergency shelter program, saying the governor was only taking steps to live within the appropriation provided by the Legislature.
Posted inHousing
Ruling coming in emergency shelter suit
A SUPERIOR COURT judge is expected to rule by the end of the day Wednesday on whether to block Gov. Maura Healey from putting a cap on shelter placements and waitlist families looking for emergency shelter.
Posted inCourts, Marijuana, State Government
Goldberg gives cannabis chair O’Brien chance to be heard
ON THE EVE of a scheduled court hearing challenging her suspension as chair of the state Cannabis Control Commission, Shannon O’Brien said state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has agreed to hold a hearing on her removal. O’Brien filed a lawsuit last week alleging she had been improperly suspended by Goldberg without due process or an opportunity […]
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
Court weighs custody of young offenders
WHEN A YOUNG PERSON is convicted of a crime, Massachusetts and the federal government agree that they shouldn’t be put into the same custody as adult convicts. But one state law seems to treat young people charged with murder, but not convicted, like adults, requiring that juveniles who are facing trial on serious charges be […]