Suffolk Law School in Boston - Suffolk University

Archived Video

The archive contains case video beginning with the 2019-2020 court year. Recent arguments are arranged by date below. Use "Search Archive" to find a specific case, or to pull up multiple cases matching your search criteria.

The Supreme Judicial Court removed older oral arguments from the archive, covering court years 2005-2006 to 2018-2019, after weighing the light concentration of traffic seeking access to these older cases against the substantial cost of maintaining it. The Supreme Judicial Court is currently studying alternative options to again make those older oral arguments available to the public.

For questions regarding the archive, please contact the Office of the Clerk for the Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth (SJCWebCastArchive@jud.state.ma.us).

Summaries have been prepared by Suffolk University Law School. The summaries are not an official part of the court proceedings, and are presented so that those who access the website will have a general understanding of the legal issues in the cases set for oral argument.

The archive contains case video beginning with the 2019-2020 court year.
The Supreme Judicial Court removed older oral arguments from the archive, covering court years 2005-2006 to 2018-2019, after weighing the light concentration of traffic seeking access to these older cases against the substantial cost of maintaining it. The Supreme Judicial Court is currently studying alternative options to again make those older oral arguments available to the public.

For questions regarding the archive, please contact the Office of the Clerk for the Supreme Judicial Court for the Commonwealth (SJCWebCastArchive@jud.state.ma.us).

The summaries are not an official part of the court proceedings.

RECENT ARGUMENTS

Jun. 2021

Committee for Public Counsel Services v. Barnstable County Sheriff's Office

Docket: SJC-13116
Argued: 2021-06-01
Summary: Unavailable.

May. 2021

West Street Associates LLC v. Planning Board of Town of Mansfield

Docket: SJC-13069
Argued: 2021-05-03
Summary: Zoning; Marijuana-- This case deals with the validity of a municipal zoning bylaw restricting the issuance of a special permit to non-profit entities to construct and operate a marijuana dispensary.

Laramie v. Philip Morris USA, Inc.

Docket: SJC-13070
Argued: 2021-05-03
Summary: Wrongful Death; Punitive Damages-- Various issues arising out of a judgment for the plaintiff in a tobacco wrongful death case against a cigarette manufacturer; whether an award of punitive damages against the defendant is barred by a Master Settlement Agreement in prior litigation brought by the Massachusetts Attorney General.

Commonwealth v. Kozubal

Docket: SJC-13092
Argued: 2021-05-03
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of prosecution for indecent assault and battery on a person under the age of 14 by a mandated reporter.

Commonwealth v. Bailey-Sweeting

Docket: SJC-13086
Argued: 2021-05-03
Summary: Search and Seizure-- In a firearms prosecution, the defendant is appealing the denial of a motion to suppress arising out of a motor vehicle stop.

Commonwealth v. Rintala

Docket: SJC-12310
Argued: 2021-05-03
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Edwards v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Docket: SJC-13073
Argued: 2021-05-05
Summary: Employment Litigation-- Various issues arising out of plaintiff's claim of violation of the Massachusetts Whistleblower Act in connection with her former position as Chair of the Sex Offender Registry Board.

McGilloway v. Safety Insurance Co.

Docket: SJC-13053
Argued: 2021-05-05
Summary: Insurance Law-- Various issues arising out of insurance coverage in connection with physical damage to an automobile.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13072
Argued: 2021-05-05
Summary: unavailable

Commonwealth v. McDermott

Docket: SJC-13091
Argued: 2021-05-05
Summary: Criminal; Bail or Stay of Execution of Sentence-- Whether a judge may consider that a detainee or prisoner has been infected with COVID-19 or has received the COVID-19 vaccine in connection with a request for bail or a stay of execution of a sentence.

Emma v. Massachusetts Parole Board

Docket: SJC-13101
Argued: 2021-05-05
Summary: Medical Parole-- This case deals with the authority of the Parole Board and the Commissioner of the Department of Correction with regard to medical parole.

Open Case

Commonwealth v. Odegard

Docket: SJC-11384
Argued: 2021-05-05
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

In re Sushchyk

Docket: SJC-13077
Argued: 2021-05-07
Summary: Judicial Conduct-- The Supreme Judicial Court is considering a report and recommendation from the Commission on Judicial Conduct regarding discipline of an Associate Justice of the Probate and Family Court.

Commonwealth v. Vigiani

Docket: SJC-13087
Argued: 2021-05-07
Summary: Juvenile Law; Evidence-- This case deals with the admissibility of a parent's testimony against a child who had been indicted in Juvenile Court for firearms violations as a Youthful Offender.

Commonwealth v. Mushwaalakbar

Docket: SJC-13098
Argued: 2021-05-07
Summary: Pretrial Detention; COVID-19-- This case concerns the continued pretrial detention of the defendant during the COVID-19 pandemic without trial in connection with domestic assault charges.

Commonwealth v. Carter

Docket: SJC-11517
Argued: 2021-05-07
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Commonwealth v. Pinckney

Docket: SJC-11518
Argued: 2021-05-07
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Apr. 2021

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13081
Argued: 2021-04-05
Summary: unavailable

Commonwealth v. Tinsely

Docket: SJC-13052
Argued: 2021-04-05
Summary: Criminal-- The Commonwealth is appealing an order allowing the defendant's motion for new trial after a conviction for armed home invasion where the defendant did not arm himself until he entered an attached garage.

Shaw's Supermarket, Inc. v. Melendez

Docket: SJC-13054
Argued: 2021-04-05
Summary: Statute of Limitations; COVID-19-- In a personal injury action by a customer against a supermarket, whether the running of the statute of limitations was tolled by the COVID-19 orders issued by the Supreme Judicial Court addressing court deadlines during the pandemic.

Commonwealth v. Donald

Docket: SJC-13040
Argued: 2021-04-05
Summary: Criminal-- The defendant, convicted of crimes against the person, is appealing the denial of a motion for post-conviction forensic testing of bloodstains.

Commonwealth v. Alemany

Docket: SJC-12180
Argued: 2021-04-05
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Fournier v. Sudders

Docket: SJC-13059
Argued: 2021-04-07
Summary: Administrative Law; Medicaid-- Whether assets in an irrevocable trust may be considered to determine Medicaid eligibility where the grantor has the power to appoint principal to a non-profit or charitable organization.

DeCosmo v. Blue Tarp Redevelopment, LLC

Docket: SJC-13031
Argued: 2021-04-07
Summary: Gaming Law-- This is a suit by a player against a casino alleging that blackjack payments were made using odds that were inconsistent with the Blackjack Rules promulgated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Schuster v. Wynn Resorts Holdings, LLC

Docket: SJC-13060
Argued: 2021-04-07
Summary: Gaming Law-- The United States District Court has certified to the Supreme Judicial Court a question whether blackjack payments at a casino were made using odds that were inconsistent with the Blackjack Rules promulgated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Commonwealth v. Andrade

Docket: SJC-11529
Argued: 2021-04-07
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13068
Argued: 2021-04-09
Summary: unavailable

Suburban Home Health Care, Inc. v. Executive Office of Health and Human Services Office of Medicaid

Docket: SJC-13051
Argued: 2021-04-09
Summary: Administrative Law; Statute of Limitations-- Whether an administrative action by MassHealth to recoup alleged overpayments made over 10 years earlier to a provider of health services is barred by a statute of limitations or by the doctrine of laches.

Commonwealth v. Jacobs

Docket: SJC-10590
Argued: 2021-04-09
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Town of Norton v. Pesa

Docket: SJC-13058
Argued: 2021-04-09
Summary: Administrative Law-- Various issues arising out of an action by a town conservation commission against the owners of real estate claiming a violation of an order of conditions regarding wetlands, including whether the commission's action is barred by a statute of limitations or statute of repose.

Mar. 2021

Commonwealth v. Lessieur

Docket: SJC-13006
Argued: 2021-03-01
Summary: Criminal-- The defendant is appealing the denial of his request for a new trial after a murder conviction on the basis of results of DNA testing and of other newly discovered evidence.

Town of Sudbury v. Energy Facilities Siting Board

Docket: SJC-12997
Argued: 2021-03-01
Summary: Administrative Law-- This is an appeal of a decision of the Energy Facilities Siting Board approving an underground electric transmission line within an inactive Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority right of way.

Hovagimian v. Concert Blue Hill LLC

Docket: SJC-13039
Argued: 2021-03-01
Summary: Employment Law; Wages-- Whether wait staff employed by a country club are entitled to the proceeds of payments collected by the country club from banquet patrons and designated as service charges pursuant to the Massachusetts Tips Act.

Commonwealth v. Rand

Docket: SJC-13047
Argued: 2021-03-01
Summary: Criminal; Right of Confrontation-- Various issues arising out of conviction for strangulation and assault and battery, including whether admission of evidence of a 911 call violated the defendant's right of confrontation.

Commonwealth v. Quiles

Docket: SJC-12733
Argued: 2021-03-01
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Cassouto-Noff & Co. v. Diamond

Docket: SJC-13026
Argued: 2021-03-03
Summary: Enforcement of Foreign Judgments-- The defendant is appealing a Superior Court decision enforcing an Israeli default judgment against her for unpaid legal fees under the Uniform Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act.

Randolph v. Commonwealth

Docket: SJC-13033
Argued: 2021-03-03
Summary: Criminal; Post-Conviction DNA Testing-- A non-party to a criminal case is seeking review of an order requiring him to provide a DNA sample in connection with a post-conviction motion for scientific analysis filed by a defendant who had been convicted of murder.

Commonwealth v. Lowery

Docket: SJC-13050
Argued: 2021-03-03
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of a conviction for trafficking of a person for sexual servitude.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13032
Argued: 2021-03-03
Summary: Unavailable

Commonwealth v. Sharma

Docket: SJC-13035
Argued: 2021-03-05
Summary: Criminal; Sentencing-- A juvenile offender is raising issues regarding sentencing after a conviction of second-degree murder.

Commonwealth v. Henry

Docket: SJC-13048
Argued: 2021-03-05
Summary: Criminal-- The defendant is appealing the denial of a motion to withdraw guilty pleas to robbery and assault and battery.

Mullins v. Corcoran

Docket: SJC-13049
Argued: 2021-03-05
Summary: Civil Procedure; Issue Preclusion-- The plaintiff is appealing the dismissal of a claim against majority shareholders of a limited liability company arising out of a real estate development project on the ground of issue preclusion.

Commonwealth v. West

Docket: SJC-12489
Argued: 2021-03-05
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Feb. 2021

Commonwealth v. Ortiz

Docket: SJC-12975
Argued: 2021-02-01
Summary: Criminal; Search and Seizure-- Various issues arising out of drug conviction, including whether the trial judge erred in denying a motion to suppress evidence seized from an automobile without a warrant.

Oracle USA, Inc. v. Commissioner of Revenue

Docket: SJC-13013
Argued: 2021-02-01
Summary: Sales Taxation-- The Massachusetts Commissioner of Revenue is appealing a decision involving the apportionment of sales tax on computer software sold in Massachusetts where the purchaser uses the software in another state.

Curtatone v. Barstool Sports

Docket: SJC-13027
Argued: 2021-02-01
Summary: Civil; Wiretap Law-- The Mayor of Somerville is appealing dismissal of a civil suit alleging that the defendant recorded a telephone conversation with him after wrongfully obtaining the mayor's consent by posing as a Boston Globe reporter.

Commonwealth v. Davis

Docket: SJC-13014
Argued: 2021-02-01
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of a conviction for armed assault with intent to murder.

Commonwealth v. Louis

Docket: SJC-11512
Argued: 2021-02-01
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Open Case

Oquendo v. Commonwealth

Docket: SJC-12944
Argued: 2021-02-01
Summary: Unavailable

Commonwealth v. Yusuf

Docket: SJC-12989
Argued: 2021-02-03
Summary: Search and Seizure-- In a firearms prosecution, the defendant is appealing the denial of a motion to suppress information obtained through the body camera of a police officer who had previously responded to a domestic disturbance at the defendant's residence.

Mandeville v. Gaffney

Docket: SJC-12980
Argued: 2021-02-03
Summary: Habeas Corpus; Civil Procedure-- In a matter certified to the Supreme Judicial Court by the United States District Court, whether a person, convicted of murder in state court and who has filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court, has exhausted his appellate remedies in state court.

Mederi Inc. v. City of Salem

Docket: SJC-13010
Argued: 2021-02-03
Summary: Municipal Law; Retail Sale of Marijuana-- The plaintiff is seeking to require a municipality to execute a host community agreement in connection with the plaintiff's attempt to obtain a license for the retail sale of marijuana.

CommCan, Inc. v. Town of Mansfield

Docket: SJC-13029
Argued: 2021-02-03
Summary: Municipal Law; Retail Sale of Marijuana-- The plaintiff is seeking to convert a facility for dispensing medical marijuana to a facility for the retail sale of marijuana.

Commonwealth v. Fernandes

Docket: SJC-11586
Argued: 2021-02-03
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13015
Argued: 2021-02-05
Summary: Unavailable

Hornibrook v. Richard

Docket: SJC-13030
Argued: 2021-02-05
Summary: Conservatorship-- Whether a court-appointed conservator is entitled to quasi-judicial immunity from suit.

Lesage v. Massachusetts Treatment Center

Docket: SJC-13041
Argued: 2021-02-05
Summary: Sexually Dangerous Persons-- The Commonwealth is appealing a Superior Court order determining that the Commonwealth violated due process by insisting on a jury trial in a petition by a sexually dangerous person for discharge from civil commitment in light of the unavailability of jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cobble Hill Center LLC v. Somerville Redevelopment Authority

Docket: SJC-13028
Argued: 2021-02-05
Summary: Municipal Law; Eminent Domain-- Whether the Somerville Redevelopment Authority was authorized to take the plaintiff's property by eminent domain under the urban renewal statute.

Commonwealth v. Welch

Docket: SJC-11839
Argued: 2021-02-05
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Jan. 2021

Deweese-Boyd v. Gordon College

Docket: SJC-12988
Argued: 2021-01-04
Summary: Employment Law-- In this employment discrimination action, a faculty member claims that she was denied promotion because of her opposition to the college's policies and practices; whether the college is entitled to assert a ministerial exception defense.

Osborne-Trussell v. Children's Hospital Corp.

Docket: SJC-12991
Argued: 2021-01-04
Summary: Employment Law-- Whether an employee has stated a viable claim that her employer terminated her employment upon being informed that the employee had a harassment protection order.

Commonwealth v. Davis

Docket: SJC-12998
Argued: 2021-01-04
Summary: Criminal-- The Commonwealth is appealing a Superior Court order granting the defendant, convicted of murder in 1986, a new trial based on postconviction DNA evidence.

Commonwealth v. Gumkowski

Docket: SJC-12670
Argued: 2021-01-04
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-12908
Argued: 2021-01-04
Summary: Unavailable

Governo Law Firm LLC v. Bergeron

Docket: SJC-12948
Argued: 2021-01-06
Summary: Business Litigation; Law Firms-- Various matters arising out of a civil action by a law firm against former employees of the firm claiming that the defendants engaged in unfair or deceptive business practices by taking files and data belonging to the law firm.

Commonwealth v. JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Docket: SJC-12973
Argued: 2021-01-06
Summary: Business Litigation-- This action by a private person under the Massachusetts False Claims Act seeks to redress alleged fraud against the Commonwealth by banks involving marketing of tax-exempt bonds.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-12986
Argued: 2021-01-06
Summary: Unavailable

Commonwealth v. Hinds

Docket: SJC-12953
Argued: 2021-01-06
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of a conviction for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Town of Brookline v. Alston

Docket: SJC-12974
Argued: 2021-01-08
Summary: Administrative Law-- The Town of Brookline is appealing a Superior Court judgment affirming a Civil Service Commission decision that ordered reinstatement of a firefighter who claimed that he had been terminated because of racial bias on the part of his employer.

Massachusetts Port Authority v. Turo Inc.

Docket: SJC-13012
Argued: 2021-01-08
Summary: Business Litigation-- The Massachusetts Port Authority is claiming that the defendant, which operates an online platform arranging peer-to-peer car rental transactions, is engaged in an unauthorized car rental business at Logan Airport.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13011
Argued: 2021-01-08
Summary: Unavailable

Commonwealth v. Medina

Docket: SJC-12987
Argued: 2021-01-08
Summary: Probation-- Various issues regarding whether the probation of the defendant, who had been convicted of sex offenses, had terminated.

Commonwealth v. Witkowski

Docket: SJC-12717
Argued: 2021-01-08
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

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