To effectively advocate on behalf of their clients, criminal defense
attorneys practicing, or planning to practice, in the district courts of the
commonwealth need to be well-versed in not only the law, but procedure. Hon.
Barbara S. Pearson will lead a panel of experts as they discuss the nuances of
practicing criminal law in the Massachusetts District Court. Specific topics
include:
- Civility and professionalism
- Arraignments and bail hearings under MGL Ch. 276
- Conditions of release under Section 58, cash bail
- Section 58A dangerousness hearings
- Section 42
- Pre-trial probation
- Requests for allegations of abuse findings
- Revocation of bail requests and hearings
- MGL Ch. 123 Section 35 commitments
- Probation detention and surrender hearings
- Probable cause hearings
- Restraining order requests at time of arraignment
- Pre-trial conference reports
- Compliance and election requests
- Discovery issues
- Motions to dismiss
- Motions to suppress
- Rule 17 motions
- Requests for modification of restraining orders by
plaintiff when there is an open criminal case
- Pleas
- Trial issues
- Voir dire
- Motions in limine
- Sentencing
This program qualifies for 3.5 hours of CPCS CLE credits for the adult
criminal trial panel.
Members of the Middlesex County, Essex County, Lowell, and Greater Lynn bar
associations may attend the program for $80. The MBA is offering a special $25
rate for government and public sector attorneys. Please contact MBA Member
Services at (617) 338-0530 to register.
Faculty:
Hon. Barbara S. Pearson, Program Co-chair
Barry J. Bisson, Esq., Program Co-chair
Bisson Law, Boston
Hon. Matthew J. Machera, Panelist
Chelsea District Court, Chelsea
Gregory Galizio, Esq., Panelist
Suffolk County District Attorney's Office - Boston, Boston
Robert W. Normandin, Esq., Panelist
Law Office of Robert Normandin, Lowell
Kelley Sweetser, Esq., Panelist
Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Boston