Appeals Court Opinions

Wood processing business importing two-thirds of raw materials does not qualify as protected agricultural use under state exemption from municipal zoning.

Appeals court reverses trial court's denials of anti-SLAPP motions where city lacked standing to challenge supervisor of records orders absent enforcement action by requestor.

Plainclothes detectives in unmarked car with activated lights and siren established probable cause to arrest for failure to stop, despite lacking uniform and badge display, where statute's purpose was satisfied.

OUI defendant's motion to withdraw guilty plea admission denied where overwhelming non-breathalyzer evidence supported conviction despite tainted breathalyzer test.

Timely service of amended complaint does not restart ninety-day service deadline for original complaint; dismissal required absent good cause.

Full text of the opinion in Kehlani K. v. Tripp T, released by the Massachusetts Appeals Court on October 22, 2026.

Involuntary manslaughter conviction affirmed where jury could find defendant participated in assault unaware knife would be used, not meeting murder's malice requirement.

Carrying loaded firearm while intoxicated requires proof defendant knew firearm was loaded; conviction reversed for insufficient evidence.

Religious discrimination claim under Massachusetts law rejected where employer established undue hardship from exempting unvaccinated social worker with direct client contact.

Warehouse developer's challenge to zoning board's special permit requirement reversed where the bylaw permits standalone warehouses only as special-permit uses, not by right.