SJC EXTENDS START DATE OF SJC RULE 1:19
The Supreme Judicial Court has announced the effective date of
SJC Rule 1:19 governing "Electronic Access to the Courts" has been
extended to Sept. 17, 2012, to allow the courts additional time to
prepare for its implementation. The original effective date
announced earlier this year was July 1, 2012.
Judges, clerks and security personnel in 101 courthouses
throughout the state will receive information and training in the
coming months and will develop protocols to comply with the rule's
provisions.
In February, the justices issued an order amending the former
Rule 1:19 governing cameras in the courts and replaced it with the
new rule. After the new rule has been in operation for a year, the
court will review it to determine whether further revisions are
needed.
JNC SEEKS APPLICATIONS
The Judicial Nominating Commission seeks applications for three
new District Court vacancies. The application deadline for Fall
River, Stoughton and Uxbridge district courts is Thursday, July
12.
BMC STANDING ORDER 1-09 AMENDED AS A PERMANENT ORDER EFFECTIVE
AS OF MAY 14
The Boston Municipal Court Department recognizes the hardships
faced by individuals of limited economic resources with criminal
records, and the burdens they face when seeking to seal their
criminal records at the various court divisions. In an effort to
alleviate these hardships and burdens, as well as to promote
judicial economy, Standing Order 1-09 is amended as a permanent
order to allow for the filing of a single petition to seal three of
more dismissals and non-conviction criminal records.
TRIAL COURT CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES TASK FORCE SEEKING
PUBLIC'S COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
The Massachusetts Trial Court is seeking public comment and
suggestions concerning the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines.
Written comments may be submitted to the Child Support Guidelines
Task Force at: The Administrative Office of the Trial Court; Suite
540, Two Center Plaza; Boston, MA 02108.
The task force will also hold five public forums where written
statements may be delivered and brief oral statements may be made.
Oral testimony is not necessary because oral and written comments
will be considered equally. The public forums will be held during
the month of September 2012 in locations across the state. Specific
dates and locations will be announced when determined.
The deadline for submission of all comments is Sept. 30, 2012.
If specific changes to the guidelines are suggested, specific
sections to be changed should be referenced, new language proposed,
and reasons for the proposed change included.
SJC SEEKS JUDGE EVALUATIONS IN SUPERIOR COURT IN SUFFOLK AND
MIDDLESEX COUNTIES
As part of the continuing program to evaluate and enhance
judicial performance, the Supreme Judicial Court will evaluate
judges of the Superior Court in Suffolk and Middlesex counties
beginning Monday, May 21.
Attorneys who receive a questionnaire should take the time to
complete it, as the more responses received, the more helpful the
judicial evaluations will be. The SJC's evaluation program is the
best opportunity for attorneys to offer their opinions of the
members of the judiciary. Attorneys who have appeared in these
courts in the last two years, according to court records, will
receive questionnaires. Attorneys will receive an e-mail requesting
them to log into our website to complete the evaluation
electronically. As required by statute, the electronic system keeps
the evaluations confidential and anonymous. A paper questionnaire
is mailed, if there is no attorney e-mail on record.
Inquiries concerning questionnaires and evaluations should be
directed to Mona Hochberg, SJC judicial performance evaluation
coordinator, at (617) 557-1156.
TRIAL COURT LAW LIBRARIES OFFER EBOOK ACCESSIBILITY TO COURT
RULES AND MASSACHUSETTS GUIDE TO EVIDENCE
In a continuing effort to make legal materials more easily
accessible to judges, lawyers and the general public, the
Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries are now offering free eBook
access to court rules and the Massachusetts Guide to
Evidence.
In addition to the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence, the
following rules are available for download:
- Rules of Civil Procedure;
- Rules of Criminal Procedure;
- Rules of Appellate Procedure;
- Rules of Land Court, with standing orders, Manual and
Guidelines;
- Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure;
- Rules of Superior Court; and
- Rules of Juvenile Court.
New editions of eBooks will be available when a rule is changed.