MACDL Calls on SJC to Increase Bar Advocate Rates
MACDL today, October 17, 2019 MACDL today, October 17, 2019, joined with Hampden Lawyers for Justice and the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (“ACLUM”) and a team of lawyers from the law firm Morgan Lewis serving as pro bono counsel to file an amicus brief in Carrasquillo v. Hampden County District Court, an appeal pending before the SJC and scheduled to be argued in November.
In […]
MACDL President Testifies in Support of Act to Reduce Mass Incarceration
MACDL President Victoria Kelleher testified on October 8, 2019 on behalf of MACDL before the Legislative Committee in support of H3358/S826, An Act to Reduce Mass Incarceration, which would permit a parole hearing for prisoners serving life in prison after 25 years. Her testimony focused on (1) the negligible difference between first degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life without the […]
2019 Board Election Results
THANKS TO ALL THOSE NAMED on the slate and all who voted. We welcome Aviva Jeruchim, Mona Igram and John Swomley as the newest members of the Board. They each bring a multitude of talents, strong opinions, and a collegial spirit, and will be a terrific asset to the organization and our members. Current board members Luke Ryan, Ed Masferrer and Shira Diner were all re-elected. We recognize Marty Rosenthal’s contributions […]
MACDL and Allies Submit Amicus Brief on Fourth Amendment Issues in Commonwealth v. McCarthy
MACDL, the ACLU of Massachusetts, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Committee for Public Counsel Services have submitted a brief on cutting-edge Fourth Amendment issues in Commonwealth v. McCarthy, SJC-12750. The brief attacks the rapidly expanding and largely unfettered use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the Commonwealth and across the country. In the absence of ANY legislation regulating the use of ALPRs […]
ACLU, MACDL urge court to dismiss case against “Straight Pride Parade” counter-protester
BOSTON, September 9, 2019 – The ACLU and the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) are urging the Supreme Judicial Court to dismiss a charge against a demonstrator arrested at the “Straight Pride Parade.” The ACLU of Massachusetts and MACDL today submitted a “friend-of-the-court” brief in support of the Commonwealth’s attempt to end this case.
Thirty-six people were arrested by Boston police during the “Straight Pride Parade” and counter-protests on […]
MACDL Calls for Immediate Investigation of BMC Judge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Victoria Kelleher
978-744-4126 | victoriouscause@gmail.com
MACDL Calls for Immediate Investigation of BMC Judge Richard Sinnott
Boston Municipal Court Judge Richard Sinnott’s decision to place a lawyer in handcuffs and detain her for several hours for “interrupting” him is a gross abuse of power that requires judicial disciplinary action.
Susan Church, a prominent lawyer who was awarded the Pro Bono Publico award by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2017, appeared pro […]