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

Oct. 2022

Commonwealth v. Tavares

Docket: SJC-11375
Argued: 2022-10-03
Summary: Criminal-- The Commonwealth is appealing the allowance of a motion for new trial with regard to the defendant’s 2011 murder conviction.

Le Fort Enterprises, Inc. v. Lantern 18, LLC

Docket: SJC-13269
Argued: 2022-10-03
Summary: Contract Law; COVID-19-- An obligor under a commercial promissory note and security agreement involving the purchase of a cleaning franchise business is raising various legal defenses where it was unable to pay because of economic conditions attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perez v. Department of State Police

Docket: SJC-13245
Argued: 2022-10-03
Summary: Employment Law; State Police-- Where a state police trooper was suspended without pay due to criminal indictments and the indictments were later dismissed, whether the trooper is entitled to be reimbursed for benefits lost during the suspension.

Commonwealth v. Rambert

Docket: SJC-13270
Argued: 2022-10-03
Summary: Juvenile Law; Sentencing-- This case deals with the propriety of a revised sentence imposed on a juvenile defendant in a non-murder case where the original sentence was determined to be disproportionate.

Open Case

Commonwealth v. Dones

Docket: SJC-13271
Argued: 2022-10-03
Summary: Juvenile Law; Sentencing-- In a case where the defendant was adjudicated as a youthful offender, whether the trial judge was authorized to sentence the defendant to the Department of Youth Services and then to suspend the commitment with terms of probation.

Marengi v. 6 Forest Road, LLC

Docket: SJC-13316
Argued: 2022-10-03
Summary: Zoning-- Where the plaintiff claimed an appeal to the Superior Court of a decision of a Zoning Board of Appeals to issue a comprehensive permit to the defendant, whether the plaintiff is required to file a bond.

Open Case

Commonwealth v. Correia

Docket: SJC-13223
Argued: 2022-10-07
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Open Case

Tenczar v. Indian Pond Country Club, Inc.

Docket: SJC-13297
Argued: 2022-10-07
Summary: Torts-- A golf course is appealing a decision awarding the plaintiffs damages and granting an injunction where errant golf balls from the golf course caused damage to the plaintiff’s property.

Open Case

Commonwealth v. Rosa

Docket: SJC-13277
Argued: 2022-10-07
Summary: Criminal-- Where a judge dismissed a criminal complaint because the Commonwealth was not ready for trial due to the unavailability of a state trooper, the Commonwealth is appealing the judge’s order that it was required to move to vacate the dismissal in order to re-open the case.

Sep. 2022

Commonwealth v. Perez-Narvaez

Docket: SJC-13275
Argued: 2022-09-07
Summary: Criminal-- Whether the trial court was correct in dismissing a charge for vandalizing with a noxious or filthy substance where the defendant urinated on the floor of and outside of his cell at the state police barracks.

DiMasi v. Galvin

Docket: SJC-13071
Argued: 2022-09-07
Summary: Administrative Law; Lobbying-- This case deals with whether Massachusetts law automatically disqualifies a person from registering as a state lobbyist because of federal felony convictions.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13249
Argued: 2022-09-07
Summary: Not available

Greenroots, Inc. v. Energy Facilities Siting Board

Docket: SJC-13233
Argued: 2022-09-07
Summary: Administrative Law-- This is a challenge to a decision of the Energy Facilities Siting Board which approved the resiting of an electrical substation.

Commonwealth v. Edwards

Docket: SJC-13242
Argued: 2022-09-07
Summary: Criminal; Abuse Prevention-- The Commonwealth is appealing the dismissal of a criminal complaint for violation of a civil abuse prevention order as a discovery sanction against the Commonwealth.

Welter v. Board of Registration in Medicine

Docket: SJC-13236
Argued: 2022-09-07
Summary: Administrative Law-- A doctor is appealing a decision of the Board of Registration in Medicine suspending his license to practice medicine for false advertising.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13274
Argued: 2022-09-09
Summary: Not available

Commonwealth v. Privette

Docket: SJC-13248
Argued: 2022-09-09
Summary: Search and Seizure-- In a prosecution for armed robbery and firearms offenses, the defendant is appealing the denial of a motion to suppress evidence.

Carver v. Mici

Docket: SJC-13247
Argued: 2022-09-09
Summary: Prisoners’ Rights-- A prisoner convicted of arson and second-degree murder is appealing a decision denying him medical parole.

McCauley v. Alves

Docket: SJC-13296
Argued: 2022-09-09
Summary: Prisoners’ Rights-- A prisoner convicted of robbery and first-degree murder is appealing a decision denying him medical parole.

Commonwealth v. Jarrett

Docket: SJC-13243
Argued: 2022-09-09
Summary: Probation-- The defendant, convicted of deriving support from a prostitute, is appealing a trial court finding that he violated probation.

Commonwealth v. Kapaia

Docket: SJC-12454
Argued: 2022-09-12
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Commonwealth v. Texeira

Docket: SJC-13007
Argued: 2022-09-12
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Memorial Sitting for Chief Justice Gants

Docket: SJC-00001
Argued: 2022-09-29
Summary: To be held Thursday September 29, 2022 at 3pm.

Jul. 2022

Lyons v. Secretary of Commonwealth

Docket: SJC-13307
Argued: 2022-07-06
Summary: Elections-- The plaintiffs are challenging the constitutionality of a Massachusetts law allowing early voting in person or by mail as it applies to the September 2022 primary election.

May. 2022

Williams v. Board of Appeals of Norwell

Docket: SJC-13230
Argued: 2022-05-02
Summary: Zoning-- This case deals with the validity of a decision of a Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the propriety of a building permit, including whether the appellant's parcel qualifies for separate lot protection.

Clark v. Attorney General

Docket: SJC-13238
Argued: 2022-05-02
Summary: Initiative Petition-- Whether the Attorney General erred in certifying an initiative petition regarding dental benefit plans.

Archer v. Grubhub, Inc.

Docket: SJC-13228
Argued: 2022-05-02
Summary: Arbitration-- Whether delivery drivers for Grubhub, a food ordering and delivery service, are required to arbitrate their claims that Grubhub violated Massachusetts wage laws.

City of Boston v. Quincy Conservation Commission

Docket: SJC-13244
Argued: 2022-05-02
Summary: Wetlands Protection-- This is an appeal of a Superior Court judgment overturning a decision of the Quincy Conservation Commission that denied the City of Boston's application for an order of conditions regarding reconstruction of the Long Island Bridge connecting Boston and Quincy.

Anderson v. Attorney General

Docket: SJC-13257
Argued: 2022-05-04
Summary: Constitutional Amendment-- The plaintiff is challenging the Attorney General's summary of a proposed amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution authorizing an additional income tax on incomes in excess of one million dollars.

Commonwealth v. Escobar

Docket: SJC-13252
Argued: 2022-05-04
Summary: Criminal; Pretrial Detention-- Whether manslaughter and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury are predicate offenses for the purpose of pretrial detention on the ground of dangerousness.

Koussa v. Attorney General

Docket: SJC-13237
Argued: 2022-05-04
Summary: Initiative Petition-- This is a challenge to the Attorney General's certification of an initiative petition to amend the Massachusetts Constitution regarding the relationship between Network Companies, such as Uber and DoorDash, and app-based drivers who transport customers or deliver goods to customer.

Colpack v. Attorney General

Docket: SJC-13273
Argued: 2022-05-04
Summary: Initiative Petition-- This is a challenge to the Attorney General's certification of an initiative petition regarding the retail sale of alcohol.

Nicholas-Taylor v. Commonwealth

Docket: SJC-13206
Argued: 2022-05-04
Summary: Bail; Juvenile Law-- Whether the defendant, charged with murder and assault, may be held pretrial at a Department of Youth Services facility.

Commonwealth v. Toolan

Docket: SJC-11589
Argued: 2022-05-04
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Apr. 2022

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13127
Argued: 2022-04-04
Summary: Unavailable

Doe v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield, a Corporation Sole

Docket: SJC-13219
Argued: 2022-04-04
Summary: Torts; Appellate Review-- Where the trial court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss an action alleging sexual abuse by clergy, whether the defendant may pursue an interlocutory appeal of a ruling that neither charitable immunity nor the First Amendment provides a basis to dismiss the plaintiff's claims.

Commonwealth v. Roderick

Docket: SJC-13212
Argued: 2022-04-04
Summary: GPS Monitoring; Sexual Offenses-- The defendant, convicted of rape, is challenging a court order requiring him to wear a global positioning system device as a condition of probation.

Vermont Mutual Insurance Co. v. Poirier

Docket: SJC-13209
Argued: 2022-04-04
Summary: Insurance Law-- Where attorneys' fees were awarded against an insured for violation of G.L. c. 93A, whether the insured's liability coverage for bodily injury extends to an award of attorneys' fees.

Cavanagh v. Cavanagh

Docket: SJC-13222
Argued: 2022-04-04
Summary: Family Law-- Various issues arising out of a divorce, including the interpretation of language in the Alimony Reform Act regarding consideration of income used in calculating child support and its impact on an award of alimony.

HSBC Bank USA v. Morris

Docket: SJC-13191
Argued: 2022-04-04
Summary: Mortgage Foreclosure-- This is a challenge to an eviction action after a mortgage foreclosure claiming that the underlying loan was predatory.

Open Case

Rinaldo Del Gallo, III v Commonwealth

Docket: SJC-13102
Argued: 2022-04-04
Summary: Unavailable

Bask, Inc. v. Members of the Taunton City Council

Docket: SJC-13218
Argued: 2022-04-06
Summary: Zoning; Land Court-- Various issues arising out of the denial of a special permit for a recreational marijuana dispensary, including whether the Land Court may (1) order a municipal licensing authority not to award other dispensary licenses or (2) order the licensing authority to consider a particular license application.

Commonwealth v. Ramos

Docket: SJC-12678
Argued: 2022-04-06
Summary: Criminal; Forensic Testing-- The defendant, convicted of murder, is appealing the denial of a motion for post-conviction forensic testing.

Zoning Board of Appeals of Milton v. HD/HW Randolph Avenue, LLC

Docket: SJC-13221
Argued: 2022-04-06
Summary: Land Use-- This case deals with the authority of the Housing Appeals Committee with regard to a proposal for a residential development that included affordable housing units.

O'Leary v. Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission

Docket: SJC-13229
Argued: 2022-04-06
Summary: Retirement Law-- This case deals with consideration of payments in lieu of vacation time in determining a public employee's retirement allowance.

Commonwealth v. Tate

Docket: SJC-13227
Argued: 2022-04-06
Summary: Criminal; Professional Responsibility-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction, including whether a lawyer has an ethical obligation to disclose information to the Commonwealth that was received from a third person implicating the lawyer's client.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13224
Argued: 2022-04-06
Summary: Unavailable

Commonwealth v. Gamboa

Docket: SJC-13063
Argued: 2022-04-08
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Commonwealth v. Melendez

Docket: SJC-12889
Argued: 2022-04-08
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Mar. 2022

Rodriguez v. Massachusetts Parole Board

Docket: SJC-13197
Argued: 2022-03-07
Summary: Parole-- This appeal challenges a parole board decision denying parole to a 61-year-old person for a crime he committed as a juvenile.

Mahan v. Boston Retirement Board

Docket: SJC-13208
Argued: 2022-03-07
Summary: Public Pension Law-- Whether the pension of a former city employee is subject to forfeiture where the former employee was convicted of offenses that occurred after the date of his retirement.

Commonwealth v. Dawson

Docket: SJC-13213
Argued: 2022-03-07
Summary: Criminal-- Whether the defendant may be charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of his coventurer who was engaged in an attempted robbery during which the coventurer was killed by the intended victim.

Armstrong v. Theoharides

Docket: SJC-13210
Argued: 2022-03-07
Summary: Administrative Law-- This is a challenge to a decision by the Department of Environmental Affairs concerning the Downtown Water District Municipal Harbor Plan of the City of Boston.

Tracer Lane II Realty, LLC v. City of Waltham

Docket: SJC-13195
Argued: 2022-03-07
Summary: Zoning-- The City of Waltham is appealing a Land Court decision allowing use of residential property as an access road to commercial property for the purpose of constructing a solar energy facility.

Impounded Case

Docket: SJC-13220
Argued: 2022-03-07
Summary: Unavailable

Kligler v. Healey

Docket: SJC-13194
Argued: 2022-03-09
Summary: Physician-Assisted Suicide-- Whether a physician may be prosecuted for manslaughter for prescribing medication used by a competent, terminally ill person to commit suicide.

Commonwealth v. Pope

Docket: SJC-13202
Argued: 2022-03-09
Summary: Criminal-- The defendant is appealing the denial of a motion for new trial claiming that the Commonwealth had withheld exculpatory evidence in his 1986 murder trial.

The Haven Center, Inc. v. Town of Bourne

Docket: SJC-13198
Argued: 2022-03-09
Summary: Municipal Law; Marijuana-- The plaintiff, seeking to engage in the cultivation and sale of marijuana, is challenging a municipal bylaw prohibiting the use of nonmedical marijuana.

Commonwealth v. Pingxia Fan

Docket: SJC-13207
Argued: 2022-03-09
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of a conviction for human trafficking, including whether the Commonwealth must prove the identity of a specific victim.

Commonwealth v. Exxon Mobil Corporation

Docket: SJC-13211
Argued: 2022-03-09
Summary: Anti-SLAPP Statute-- Whether the Massachusetts anti-SLAPP statute requires dismissal of an action under G.L. c. 93A brought by the Attorney General against ExxonMobil.

Commonwealth v. Grier

Docket: SJC-11386
Argued: 2022-03-11
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

Commonwealth v. Cheng Sun

Docket: SJC-12870
Argued: 2022-03-11
Summary: Criminal-- Various issues arising out of murder conviction.

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