SJC Opinions

Appeals dismissed where petitioner failed to comply with appellate service rules and sought impermissible relief from federal court decisions through state court petition.

Defendant age twenty challenged firearm licensing age restriction as unconstitutional. Court held facial challenge permissible but lacked standing for as-applied challenge. Age restriction consistent with historical tradition; conviction affirmed.

Tenant's petition for extraordinary relief from Housing Court orders denied. Adequate alternative remedies existed through ordinary appeal and interlocutory review.

Supreme Judicial Court affirms denial of extraordinary relief petition challenging civil contempt judgment because petitioner had adequate alternative remedy of direct appeal.

Court rejects presumption of irreparable harm in trade secret misappropriation cases; requires affirmative showing under traditional equitable principles.

Murder conviction affirmed where trial counsel failed to investigate computer evidence but defendant not prejudiced by undisclosed emails suggesting third-party suspect's motive.

Full text of the opinion in Commonwealth v. Goncalves, released by the Supreme Judicial Court on October 6, 2026.

Expungement of harassment prevention order records denied absent fraud on the court, despite judge's later finding that underlying allegations lacked evidentiary support.

Affirmed murder convictions for three men in drive-by shooting. Evidence of coordinated multi-firearm attack, vehicle maneuvering, ballistics, and flight supported knowing participation and shared lethal intent.

Convictions vacated where gunshot residue evidence lacked reliability foundation despite negative test results.