First Circuit Sides with MACDL Amicus Brief in Suit by Farak Defendant
The First Circuit has upheld the Massachusetts District Court’s denial of absolute immunity to a former Assistant Attorney General who withheld exculpatory evidence of a state lab worker’s drug use. In a § 1983 suit by a defendant who served more than five years before his conviction was dismissed following disclosure that Sonja Farak was addicted to drugs and tampering with samples during her employment as a drug […]
MACDL Weighs in on Compassionate Release
MACDL’s Legislative Committee co-chair, Austin Tzeng, wrote regarding proposed regulations for compassionate release that they are overly restrictive and unnecessarily burdensome. MACDL supports compassionate release and will continue to monitor regulatory developments. Read our letter below.
To view/download full text of the letter click the image below
MACDL Opposes Proposed Changes to Laws Regarding Pretrial Detention
MACDL has submitted a letter to members of the Massachusetts House and Senate Judiciary Committees, formally opposing H.66, “An Act to Protect the Commonwealth.” That proposed bill would vastly and unnecessarily expand G.L. c. 58A and other laws authorizing pretrial detention. As MACDL’s letter states, the legislation “would further unjustly incarcerate a disproportionate number of our citizens on a pretrial basis, without affording them an opportunity to post bail, […]
Oppose Governor Baker’s Parole Board Nominee
UPDATE: The Governor’s Council hearing is on Wednesday, June 26th. Please continue to contact your councillors and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito
Dear MACDL Members, Colleagues and Friends,
Thanks to MACDL and other community groups, our Governor’s Councillors have been flooded with calls and emails in the past few days! During the hearing on Wednesday, many Councillors referred to their many constituents who have been voicing […]
MACDL Letter on Proposed SJC Order on Murder Appeals
MACDL has submitted a letter in response to the SJC’s request for comments on a proposed order intended to speed up post-conviction proceedings in first-degree murder cases. MACDL joined representatives of the defense bar appointed to respond to the order (including Chauncey Wood, who participated as MACDL’s representative) in expressing concerns about the order. Read MACDL’s letter, and the comments of the defense bar representatives, below. […]
Statement Supporting Professor Ron Sullivan
MACDL has issued a statement in support of Harvard Law School Professor Ron Sullivan, after Harvard College declined to renew his status as a faculty dean following student protests based upon his choice to defend Harvey Weinstein in a criminal case. No attorney should face adverse consequences for choosing to represent a criminal defendant and Harvard’s decision in this case demonstrates a lack of respect […]