Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Decisions
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is one of the oldest state supreme courts in the U.S. It was known as the Superior Court of Judicature when it was founded in 1692. Three of its chief justices have served on the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court has the authority to review appeals of criminal and civil cases, and it holds the unusual power to provide advisory opinions. The executive branch or the legislative branch may request these opinions. The site of the Court is the John Adams Courthouse in Boston.
There are no specific requirements for becoming a justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. A justice simply must be under 70 years old and maintain good behavior while serving on the Court. The Governor of Massachusetts appoints each of the seven justices on the Court, although they also must be approved by the executive council. In contrast to the supreme courts in many other states, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court does not impose term limits on its justices. Once they are appointed, they may serve until they turn 70, at which age they are required to retire. The same rules apply to the appointment and tenure of the Chief Justice as to the six Associate Justices.
However, a judge may face removal from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for reasons related to misconduct or a disability. The Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct will investigate any complaint of misconduct by a justice, and it will hold a formal hearing and provide a recommendation on whether the justice should be removed or face other discipline. A justice who engages in misconduct also may face removal by impeachment in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and conviction in the Massachusetts Senate. In other situations, the Governor may remove a justice with the approval of the Governor’s Council and with the joint address of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- 2024 (47)
- 2023 (129)
- 2022 (148)
- 2021 (156)
- 2020 (194)
- 2019 (196)
- 2018 (210)
- 2017 (204)
- 2016 (187)
- 2015 (208)
- 2014 (204)
- 2013 (203)
- 2012 (201)
- 2011 (127)
- 2010 (81)
- 2006 (1)
- 2004 (2)
- 2003 (1)
- 2002 (1)
- 2001 (1)
- 1997 (2)
- 1996 (2)
- 1994 (165)
- 1993 (196)
- 1992 (201)
- 1991 (202)
- 1990 (208)
- 1989 (197)
- 1988 (202)
- 1987 (216)
- 1986 (202)
- 1985 (222)
- 1984 (227)
- 1983 (221)
- 1982 (214)
- 1981 (186)
- 1980 (190)
- 1979 (178)
- 1978 (208)
- 1977 (202)
- 1976 (223)
- 1975 (200)
- 1974 (153)
- 1973 (126)
- 1972 (184)
- 1971 (177)
- 1970 (187)
- 1969 (174)
- 1968 (183)
- 1967 (184)
- 1966 (158)
- 1965 (179)
- 1964 (148)
- 1963 (158)
- 1962 (192)
- 1961 (204)
- 1960 (179)
- 1959 (203)
- 1958 (184)
- 1957 (174)
- 1956 (199)
- 1955 (183)
- 1954 (148)
- 1953 (141)
- 1952 (188)
- 1951 (198)
- 1950 (200)
- 1942 (1)
- 1933 (1)
- 1891 (1)
- 1886 (1)
Recent Decisions From the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Date: April 23, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13395
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a professional photographer who sexually exploited a minor. The defendant initially contacted the victim through a social networking site and began communicating with her through various means,…
Date: April 22, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13489
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around Outfront Media LLC (Outfront), a company that entered into a contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to advertise on outdoor signs owned by the MBTA. The city of…
Date: April 17, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13494
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a nonmarital child who was removed from the mother's custody due to neglect. The Department of Children and Families filed a care and protection petition in the Juvenile Court. The father, who had…
Date: April 12, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-09903
Justia Opinion Summary: In 2005, Leon Robinson was convicted of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm for the 2001 shooting death of Recardo Robinson. The incident occurred in a barbershop after an argument between the two…
Date: April 10, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13436
Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around the interpretation of a will and the application of the anti-lapse statute. Heather W. Hossack, the testator, had devised certain assets to her mother, Ethel Wyman, "if she survives me." However,…
Date: April 8, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-12836
Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves Terrence Tyler, who was convicted of felony-murder in the first degree with the predicate felony of attempted unarmed robbery and assault with intent to rob. The incident occurred during a planned…
Date: April 1, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13384
Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts heard an appeal involving Bradley Zucchino, who was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, causing serious bodily injury and death. Zucchino…
Date: March 28, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13382
Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts affirmed the lower court's summary judgment ruling against Jordan's Furniture, Inc. The company had implemented a commissions-based compensation scheme for its…
Date: March 22, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-08464
Justia Opinion Summary: Charles Robinson, the defendant, was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Edward Figueroa. Following his conviction, Robinson appealed and also filed a motion for a new trial citing…
Date: March 20, 2024
Docket Number: SJC-13321
Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, the defendant, Rigoberto Escobar, was found guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Magno Sosa after a heated argument that escalated into a fistfight. The defendant appealed, arguing that…
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
