In the Matter of Burnbaum, Michael W. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-188-13)
Attorney disbarred for federal drug conspiracy conviction involving client, following reciprocal discipline proceedings after Florida resignation.
SJC Opinions
Lourie v. Lourie (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-189-13)
Appeal from denial of extraordinary relief petition challenging Probate and Family Court orders. Affirmed where petitioner failed to demonstrate unavailability of other remedies or exceptional circumstances.
Commonwealth v. Cartagena (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-187-13)
Plea withdrawal motion remanded where trial judge's vague recollection of inadequate colloquy practice was insufficient to rebut presumption of regularity without specific factual findings.
Commonwealth v. Canty (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-186-13)
Police officer may testify to defendant's apparent intoxication but not to impairment of driving ability. Indictment valid despite omitting element if it provides fair notice of crime charged.
In the Matter of: Fletcher, Patricia Jean (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-185-13)
Bar reinstatement denied where applicant failed to demonstrate current legal competency, moral fitness, or sufficient engagement with legal study after twenty-year gap from practice.
Commissioners of the Bristol County Mosquito Control District v. State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board, et al. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-184-13)
Whether a local mosquito control project has sole authority to set employee compensation rates subject to state agency budgetary oversight.
In the Matter of: Patch, Thomas F. (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-183-13)
Attorney disbarred after felony convictions affecting administration of justice; single justice's indefinite suspension based on unproven psychological issues reversed.
Commonwealth v. Gray (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-181-13)
Sobriety checkpoint case turning on whether Division Commander's Order 10-DFS-35 was part of the checkpoint's applicable guidelines, which determine if screening officer properly questioned defendant.
Adams v. Adams (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-182-13)
Superintendence review denied where interlocutory orders can be reviewed through ordinary appeal from final judgment; efficiency concerns insufficient to invoke extraordinary jurisdiction.
Lawless v. Board of Registration in Pharmacy (Lawyers Weekly No. 10-180-13)
Board of Registration in Pharmacy properly entered default and revoked pharmacist's license after he failed to appear for scheduled hearing days.