tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-175322232024-03-13T15:47:51.509-04:00Massachusetts Law UpdatesFrom the Massachusetts Trial Court Law LibrariesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-19209747334495985142014-11-21T16:33:00.000-05:002014-11-21T16:33:14.760-05:00This Blog Has MovedWe are still blogging, but now in our new home at <a href="http://blog.mass.gov/masslawlib">http://blog.mass.gov/masslawlib</a> We look forward to seeing you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-79734949304669962812014-11-16T08:30:00.000-05:002014-11-16T13:48:20.584-05:00Sculpture in the Courthouse and the Law Library<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At a time when law libraries are redefining themselves as a set
of services rather than a place, there still may be a bit of time to value the
place or the object within the place. Justice has long been personified, and
artists have created representations that have graced our Courthouses and
Libraries. Examples are still around to be appreciated.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In 1910, the American Antiquarian Society donated an
8-foot-4-inch-tall plaster cast of Michelangelo’s statue of Moses to the
Worcester County Law Library Association. Moses assumed a place of honor in the
Worcester Courthouse in Lincoln Square. For 97 years thereafter, Moses became
the meeting place within the Courthouse for lawyers and their clients. When the
Courthouse moved down Main Street to its new location, Moses came along. <a href="http://www.telegram.com/article/20100731/NEWS/7310348/0">Ten inch tall replicas </a>of the statue are now for sale by the Worcester County Law
Library Trust, initially offered to recoup the cost of repairs to the statue; but the smaller cousins have become coveted artifacts. The replicas are on view
at the <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/locations/worcester.html">Worcester Law Library</a>.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Any visitor to the John Adams Courthouse in Boston will be
impressed by Domingo Mora’s figural representations of sixteen ideas related to
Law and Justice in the<a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/edu-res-center/jn-adams/the-great-hall-gen.html"> Great Hall.</a> In the same location, there is a bronze
statue of the nineteenth century attorney, <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/edu-res-center/jn-adams/exhibit-room-gen.html">Rufus Choate</a>, by <a href="http://chesterwood.org/category/about/dcf/">Daniel Chester French</a>. A recent cleaning of the work has obscured the fact that practicing
attorneys had a habit of rubbing Rufus Choate’s left foot for good luck before
going into the Courtroom, giving it a particular shine.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Prominent among Daniel Chester French’s teachers was a sculptor
named Thomas Ball. One of Ball’s favorite subjects was orator and attorney
Daniel Webster. In 1853, a series of bronze casts were made of Ball’s clay
statuette of Webster. Examples of these statuettes are currently in the
collections of the <a href="https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/artifact/Sculpture_24_00006.htm">U.S. Senate </a>and the <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/10100?rpp=30&pg=1&ft=thomas%2Bball%2Bdaniel%2Bwebster&pos=1&imgNo=0&tabName=object-information">Metropolitan Museum of Art,</a> and on view
at the <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/locations/berkshire.html">Berkshire Law Library</a>. In 1876, Ball went on to sculpt a much larger
(14’) version of the statute that stands today in New York’s Central Park. At
the Law Library, Daniel Webster has a series of festive hats (several top hats,
a straw hat, a sombrero) that he can be seen to sport.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Art appreciation, in the case of the statues of Moses, Rufus
Choate, and Daniel Webster, is about looking and recognizing the story that is
there waiting to be told.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-50646234850838051942014-11-14T09:19:00.000-05:002014-11-14T09:19:00.873-05:00Law Libraries' Website and Blog are Moving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwLeX13S1BA/VGYOnTfXb4I/AAAAAAAAA-I/Q3wCBhJIWMg/s1600/moving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwLeX13S1BA/VGYOnTfXb4I/AAAAAAAAA-I/Q3wCBhJIWMg/s1600/moving.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Late next week, both our website and blog will be moving to their new homes within the mass.gov framework, as part of the larger <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts">Massachusetts Courts</a> site. All of our content is coming with us, but as with any move, it may be a bit of a challenge at first to find what you need. We plan to create redirects from every page of the old site to their new locations.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, change your bookmarks for the law libraries' site from <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/">http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us</a> to <a href="http://www.mass.gov/lawlib">http://www.mass.gov/lawlib</a>. This URL will get you to the current site until we move, and will get you to the new site after the move. We will post information on this blog about the new blog URL once we go live. As always, if you have any questions along the way, feel free to <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/services/ask.html">ask our librarians</a> - they'll be happy to help!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-88390352888261269852014-11-13T18:03:00.000-05:002014-11-13T21:17:20.753-05:00"First Major Overhaul of Rules of Professional Conduct in 17 years" - Mass. Lawyers WeeklyAccording to the November 10, 2014 edition of <a href="http://masslawyersweekly.com/">Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly</a>, oral argument on proposed changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct will be heard by the Supreme Judicial Court on December 18th, 2014 at 10 <span style="font-size: x-small;">AM</span>, as there are significant differences with the current Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct on topics such as post-trial contact with jurors and discipline of law firms for misconduct. The <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/attorneys-bar-applicants/proposed-revisions-to-the-rules-of-professional-conduct-2014.html">Supreme Judicial Court's webpage on the proposed changes</a> is a wealth of information including Advisory Committee's Proposed Revisions, Supplemental Report of the Advisory Committee, red-lined versions to compare the proposed revisions with an earlier version of the proposed changes, with the current Massachusetts <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/rules-of-court/sjc/sjc307.html">Rules of Professional Conduct</a> and with the American Bar Association's<a href="http://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/model_rules_of_professional_conduct_table_of_contents.html"> Model Rules of Professional Conduct</a>, as well as comments submitted by organizations and public officials.<br />
<br />
For further Law on Lawyers, see our webpage on <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/lawyers.html">Attorneys</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-45208869554588100592014-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:002014-11-09T08:00:03.034-05:00ElderLaw Portfolio SeriesThe newest release for the <a href="http://masscourt.ipac.dynixasp.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=D415220582C99.3451&menu=search&aspect=subtab23&npp=20&ipp=20&spp=20&profile=tcll1&ri=&term=&index=.GW&aspect=subtab23&term=elderlaw+portfolio&index=.TW&term=&index=.AW&term=&index=.SW&x=0&y=0">ElderLaw Portfolio Series</a> updates portfolio number 14, <em>Veteran's benefits for the elderly</em>. This portfolio covers a veteran's eligibility for benefits as well as the claims process, and practicing before the VA. The release also adds a new portfolio to the series, number 14A: <em>Practical aspects of veterans aid and attendance benefit and housebound benefit laws and procedures</em>. This portfolio "provides practice guidance pertaining to the applications for A & A pension for veterans and widows or widowers of wartime veterans." This, and other titles, can be borrowed for two weeks. And don't forget to check out our <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/veterans.html">webpage on veterans</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-79204821512847406932014-11-06T08:39:00.002-05:002014-11-06T08:41:37.725-05:00Lowell Law Library is closed todayDue to staffing emergency, the Lowell Law Library will be closed today. If you need assistance, please contact one of the other 17 libraries listed at <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/index.html">http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/index.html</a>. We apologize for any inconvenience.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-49320492613049892882014-11-06T08:00:00.000-05:002014-11-06T08:00:04.008-05:00Report Shows Civil Legal Aid Funding Inadequate in MassachusettsA Boston Bar Association task force issued a report in October 2014 entitled <a href="http://www.bostonbar.org/docs/default-document-library/statewide-task-force-to-expand-civil-legal-aid-in-ma---investing-in-justice.pdf">Investing in Justice: A Roadmap to Cost- Effective Funding of Civil Legal Aid in Massachusetts</a>. It states that sixty four percent of low income people in Massachusetts seeking civil legal assistance were denied services last year. The reason is that legal aid agencies do not have enough staff to handle all of the cases due to lack of funding. Revenue comes from state appropriations, federal assistance, and private sources such as law firms and foundations. The inadequate level of funding not only has a negative effect on low income citizens seeking justice, but it also impacts the courts. Unrepresented litigants often do not understand court procedure or how to introduce evidence which slows down cases. Judges reported problems from lack of representation were most often seen in housing and family law cases. Independent economic consultants looked at "whether increased civil legal aid funding could provide cost savings and other benefits to the Commonwealth." The conclusion was that there were direct and indirect benefits for low income residents and the Commonwealth. Based upon the information gathered, "the task force urges the Massachusetts legislature to significantly increase funding for civil legal aid programs."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-56197686383477531892014-11-04T07:30:00.001-05:002014-11-04T07:30:00.873-05:00Coaches Must Learn CPRThe House and Senate approved and sent to Governor Patrick a measure that would require a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification for athletic coaches (CPR). Certification obtained from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or other state-approved agency would be mandatory by August 2015. <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Senate/S1918" target="_blank">S1918</a> exempts coaches with a physical disability and prohibits local cities and towns from being responsible for the training costs of approximately $50.00 per person. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-64074538059639696552014-11-03T08:00:00.000-05:002014-11-03T11:33:54.442-05:00Spanish Legal WebsiteThe <a href="http://www.bostonbarlawyer.org/">Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service</a> (BBA LRS) is a public service provided by the Boston Bar Association. Recently, the <a href="http://www.bostonbarlawyer.org/bba-lrs-launches-spanish-language-website/">BBA LRS</a> launched a new <a href="http://www.bostonbarlawyer.org/es/">Spanish-language website</a>.<br />
<br />
The Lawyer Referral Service is
"the BBA’s largest public service program and has a specific commitment
to reaching historically underserved populations. The LRS Program
connects callers in need of legal assistance with qualified help from
private attorneys, legal services agencies, government offices, and
community programs."<br />
<br />
See also our <a href="http://lawlib.state.ma.us/lawyer/referral.html">webpage</a> on "Massachusetts Lawyer Referral." Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-26783933739740498382014-11-02T03:00:00.000-05:002014-11-02T03:00:16.325-05:00Practicing law without a license<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Law librarians are often asked by patrons to give them what amounts to legal help. There is an important distinction to keep in mind in this regard. Librarians can provide legal information, but not legal advice. Giving legal advice would be practicing law without a license. Legal advice can only be provided by a lawyer.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleI/Chapter221/Section46A">Massachusetts General Law chapter 221, section 46A</a> states succinctly: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Hevetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No individual, other than a member, in good standing, of the bar of this commonwealth shall practice law, or, by word, sign, letter, advertisement or otherwise, hold himself out as authorized, entitled, competent, qualified or able to practice law; provided, that a member of the bar, in good standing, of any other state may appear, by permission of the court, as attorney or counselor, in any case pending therein, if such other state grants like privileges to members of the bar, in good standing, of this commonwealth."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other laws regarding the unauthorized practice of law may be found in <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleI/Chapter221">M.G.L. ch. 221, sections 41 and following</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To find out more about lawyers, please browse the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries web page "<a href="http://lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/lawyers.html">Massachusetts Law About Lawyers</a>." </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-66182693770827267142014-11-01T16:55:00.000-04:002014-11-01T17:12:32.348-04:00Statewide Ballot Question # 3 - Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With next Tuesday's election comes a series of four Statewide Ballot questions to consider. My colleague from the Lawrence Law Library has already blogged about Question # 1. <a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/pip143.htm">Question # 3 asks that you consider Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A YES VOTE</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> would prohibit casinos, any gaming establishment with slot
machines, and wagering on simulcast greyhound races.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A NO VOTE</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> would make no change in the current laws regarding gaming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As
it currently reads, Massachusetts general law chapter 4 section 7 and Chapter
23K of the Massachusetts general laws would be amended as follows:</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FULL TEXT OF QUESTION:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be it enacted by the people and their authority:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SECTION 1. <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleI/Chapter4/Section7">Section 7 of chapter 4 of the General Laws</a>, as
appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out
clause Tenth and inserting in place thereof the following clause:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Tenth, ’Illegal gaming,‘ a banking or percentage game played with
cards, dice, tiles or dominoes, or an electronic, electrical or mechanical
device or machine for money, property, checks, credit or any representative of
value, but excluding: (i) a lottery game conducted by the state lottery
commission, under sections 24, 24A and 27 of chapter 10; (ii) pari-mutuel
wagering on horse races under chapters 128A and 128C; (iii) a game of bingo
conducted under chapter 271; and (iv) charitable gaming under said chapter
271.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SECTION 2. Chapter 23K of the General Laws, as appearing in the
2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section 72
<a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter23K/Section71">following section 71</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any general or
special law to the contrary, no illegal gaming as defined in section 7 of
chapter 4 shall be conducted or permitted in this commonwealth and the
commission is hereby prohibited from accepting or approving any application or
request therefor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SECTION 3. The several provisions of this Act are independent and
severable and the invalidity, if any, of any part or feature thereof shall not
affect or render the remainder of the Act invalid or inoperative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p>To view the argument in favor of prohibiting casinos and any gaming establishment establishment with slot machines and prohibit wagering on simulcast greyhound races, <a href="http://www.question3facts.org/">click on this link</a>.</o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p>To view the discussion that a no vote would not make any change to the current laws regarding gaming, <a href="http://www.protectmassjobs.com/">click on this link</a>. </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p>Source:
<a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/pip143.htm">Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, located at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/pip143.htm,accessed on October 30, 2014. </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Massachusetts Information for Voters 2014 Ballot Questions, published by William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-88210410402353015062014-10-30T06:30:00.000-04:002014-10-30T06:30:00.654-04:00Salem Witch Trials<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Original Court Records of the
Salem Witch Trials are available online from a number of sources. </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;"></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/home.html">"Salem Witch Trials: The Documentary Archive and Transcription Project,”</a> provides access to 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> century Court
Records and other primary source material, as well as transcriptions,
historical maps, archival collections and scanned contemporary books. It is
hosted by the University of Virginia, but the <a href="http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/projectstaff.html">Project Staff</a> is international.</span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;"></span><br />
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm">“Salem Witchcraft Trials:1692”</a> is a website within University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
Professor Douglas Linder’s <a href="http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm">“Famous Trials”</a> website. This ambitious project
includes primary source documents, biographical material, maps, images, a
bibliography and a Jeopardy! Game.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/w/witch/">Witchcraft Collection</a>, part of Cornell University Library’s Division of Rare and
Manuscript Collections, contains over 3,000 titles documenting the history of
the Inquisition and the persecution of witchcraft, primarily in Europe. The
<a href="http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/w/witch/resources.html">Primary Source Digital Witchcraft Collection</a> includes material about the Salem
Trials, as do the <a href="http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/w/witch/student_papers.html">Student Research Papers</a> available on the Witchcraft
Collection website.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background: white;">Closer to home, drop by the
<a href="http://lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/locations/essex.html">Essex Law Library</a> in Salem to check out some of their <a href="http://masscourt.ipac.dynixasp.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=141399T4U3656.2889&menu=search&aspect=subtab23&npp=20&ipp=20&spp=20&profile=tcll1&ri=2&source=~%21masscourt&index=.GW&term=salem+witch&x=0&y=0&aspect=subtab23">titles</a> on the Salem Witch
Trials and Richard Adamo’s 2002 <a href="http://masscourt.ipac.dynixasp.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=141399T4U3656.2889&profile=tcll1&uri=link=3100007~!74206~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=subtab22&menu=search&ri=14&source=~!masscourt&term=Witchcraft+Trials+1692+%5BEssex+file+folder%5D++&index=PALLTI">“Salem Witchcraft Trials Selective Bibliography.”</a> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9knYp_RfCBQ/VEfr8UofYKI/AAAAAAAAAIA/ZH5Bij5_Ld8/s1600/jacobstrial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9knYp_RfCBQ/VEfr8UofYKI/AAAAAAAAAIA/ZH5Bij5_Ld8/s1600/jacobstrial.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>The Trial of George Jacobs, T.H. Matteson - Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA</o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-82607384301767168262014-10-29T12:51:00.000-04:002014-10-30T11:16:09.931-04:00Statewide Ballot Question #1 - the Gas TaxNovember 4th is right around the corner. Many voters are undecided on how they will vote on the four <a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/pip14idx.htm">Statewide Ballot Questions</a>, especially <a href="http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele14/pip141.htm">Question #1</a> which asks consumers to vote to eliminate automatic increases to the gas tax based on inflation or keep the law as it is. <br />
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<b>A YES VOTE </b>would eliminate the requirement that the state’s gas tax be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.<br />
<b>A NO VOTE</b> would make no change in the laws regarding the gas tax.<br />
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As of September 2013, the gas tax in Massachusetts is 24 cents per gallon but this will increase with inflation in January 2015. Whether you are for or against changing the <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIX/Chapter64A/Section1">current law</a>, are you curious about just how much revenue is collected each year at the pump and where it is spent?<br />
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According to <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleIX/Chapter64A/Section13">MGL ch.64A sec. 13</a>, the gas tax revenues are credited to a "Commonwealth Transportation Fund." To see the balance sheet of this fund click <a href="http://www.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy13h1/bal_13/hfundbal4.htm">http://www.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy13h1/bal_13/hfundbal4.htm</a>. This fund is used to pay debt service associated with highway maintenance and construction projects and provides funding for the operation of the independent Massachusetts Department of Transportation.<br />
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To see a detailed breakdown of the revenue sources for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund as well as overall revenues and expenditures of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation link to the <a href="http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/0/docs/infoCenter/financials/FY_2013.pdf">Mass DOT Revenue and Expense Report</a>. This report is required by statute (<a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter6C/Section28">MGL Ch. 6C sec.28</a>) to be filed and placed on
the DOT website every year.<br />
<span id="yiv5066041448yui_3_16_0_1_1414501402696_9003"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-79726380863198774472014-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-29T09:08:41.137-04:00Commutation Applications Deadline is October 31stGovernor Deval L. Patrick issued <a href="http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/pb/executive-guidelines-for-particularly-meritorious-clemency-petitions-7-17-14.pdf">new guidelines for commutations</a> on July 17, 2014. A commutation is an act by the Governor which shortens a prisoner's sentence, allowing him or her to be released early, but does not expunge a criminal record. A pardon, on the other hand, means that a conviction is erased. All clemency petitions should be filed by October 31, because Gov. Patrick must sign any commutations before his term in office ends on January 7, 2015.<br />
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The Governor will focus on petitions submitted by "people who would be law-abiding citizens, who present no current risk of reoffending," and who can show that they are "serving an unduly harsh sentence for a non-violent offense."<br />
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In an <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/10/26/after-nearly-two-decades-without-prison-commutations-patrick-says-time/bONtSm6rIOKEtjbBwd7h6I/story.html">article published in the Boston Globe on October 27, 2014</a>, Gov. Deval Patrick states "making sure that people know that opportunities for commutation are available and making that process as straightforward as possible is why we wanted to update the guidelines." <br />
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An overview of the Governor's clemency policies can be found <a href="http://www.mass.gov/eopss/law-enforce-and-cj/parole/exec-clemency-unit/executive-clemency-overview.html">here</a>. In addition, Massachusetts commutation information is available at the Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) <a href="http://famm.org/massachusetts-commutation-information/">website</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-56567766709696775372014-10-28T11:16:00.000-04:002014-10-28T11:16:11.053-04:0093A Demand letter sent by mail sufficient notice...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Appellate Division of District Court, reviewing a case in Salem District Court has ruled that the law does not require certified mail for a demand letter in a consumer protection claim. (Leck v. Pope’s Landing Marine, Inc., et al.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Citing <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXV/Chapter93A/Section9">chapter 93A section 9</a>, the court pointed out that "The statute does not demand proof of service through certified mail; nor is certified mail required by the terms of the statute to prove delivery. Where the Legislature has demanded certified mail, it has declared the requirement. …"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this instance, there was evidence the defendants received the letter.The defendant's lawyer referred to the claim for attorney fees, and a reasonable inference is that they had received the letter asking for such.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more on consumer protection see our page <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/consumer.html">here</a>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-48097634756784954232014-10-27T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-27T07:00:03.168-04:00Black's Law Dictionary, 10th editionThe three inch thick <a href="http://masscourt.ipac.dynixasp.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1411B7U945412.2458&profile=tcll1&uri=link=3100007~!81080~!3100001~!3100002&aspect=subtab22&menu=search&ri=1&source=~!masscourt&term=Black%27s+law+dictionary+%2F+Brian+A.+Garner%2C+editor+in+chief.&index=PALLTI">10th edition of Black's </a>has added 7500 new entries, among them legaldygook and the "affluenza defense." Most new entries, however, are for mainstream words like reason and requisition which were never previously included. Dates in the definitions indicate the first known use of the word in English and the definitions cite statutes, cases and other sources the editor judges as helpful for a full explanation. So from "a" to "zygote" don't forget this basic tool for legal research. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-54588028687584669882014-10-26T07:30:00.000-04:002014-10-26T07:30:01.832-04:00Superior Court Rescinds Obsolete Standing OrdersEffective December 1, 2014, the Superior Court will rescinded four <br />
standing orders and one administrative directive.<br />
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Standing Order No. 1-80 (Notices of Appeal/Notification to Justices) <br />
is unnecessary due to the advent of electronic dockets.<br />
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Standing Order No. 5-80 (Trial Session Hours) is inconsistent with <br />
current practice.<br />
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Standing Order No. 6-80 (Complaints for Judicial Review of Surcharge <br />
Matters Under G.L. c. 175, §113P; Notice to the Department of the <br />
Attorney General; Form Complaints) has been superseded by Superior <br />
Court Standing Order No. 1-96.<br />
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Standing Order No. 1-86 (Transfer Procedure Under G.L. c. 231, §102C <br />
and Superior Court Rule 29) is outdated in the current civil one-trial <br />
system.<br />
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Administrative Directive No. 90-2 (Non-Filing of Discovery Materials) <br />
is unnecessary due to a 2002 amendment to Mass. R. Civ. P. 5(d)(2).<br />
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A list of current standing orders can be found at <a href="http://lawlib.state.ma.us/source/mass/rules/superior/orders/suporders.html" target="_blank">Massachusetts Superior Court Standing Orders</a> and directives can accessed at <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/sc/superior-court-administrative-directives.html" target="_blank">Superior Court Administrative Directives</a>. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-26711775764587815532014-10-24T14:53:00.000-04:002014-10-24T14:53:18.195-04:00Save the date...Join us for the <a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/Docs/Toomey%20Lecture%20Poster.doc">Fifth Annual Honorable Daniel F. Toomey Lecture</a> on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/courthouses/winch-wrentham/worcester-superior-court-generic.html">Worcester Trial Court Complex</a>. Th<a href="http://www.mad.uscourts.gov/springfield/ponsor.htm">e Honorable Michael A. Ponsor</a> of the U.S. District Court will present "Thirty Years on the Bench: A Witness to Criminal Justice Unraveling".Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-2845098714947550732014-10-21T08:28:00.003-04:002014-10-21T08:28:54.075-04:00The importance of the civil action cover sheet<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A recent superior court decision has underlined the importance of a full and accurate reporting of the injuries on the Civil Action Cover Sheet. The form requires a listing of expenses as well as a description of the injury, including the nature and extent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In <a href="http://www.socialaw.com/slip.htm?cid=23143&sid=121">Stankiewicz v. DiStefano</a>, Judge Curran admonished counsel to comply with <a href="http://lawlib.state.ma.us/source/mass/rules/superior/sup29.html">Superior Court rule 29</a>. The case was dismissed since the cover sheet did not include a detailed listing of injuries that were caused by the defendant. Plaintiffs must meet the burden of showing that they have a reasonable likelihood of recovery of over $25,000 to proceed in Superior Court.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-89716300807151872952014-10-20T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-20T09:08:27.524-04:00Blue no more!<a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Blue+Laws" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">Blue laws</span></a> have been a part of our history since Colonial times and were enforced in <a href="http://www.mass.gov/lwd/labor-standards/dls/mass-blue-laws/">Massachusetts</a> until the 1990's when alcohol sales were allowed on Sundays. First it was the border towns that were allowed to open, then in 2003 Governor Romney approved a <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2003/Chapter141">bill</a> that allowed all stores in Massachusetts the opportunity to open on Sunday. However, the opening time was Noon. That changes this month on the 26th when <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2014/Chapter182">stores can start selling alcohol at 10:00 am</a>. It is hoped that the <a href="http://www.capenews.net/bourne/sunday-am-opening-for-liquor-stores/article_83e791a0-4f19-11e4-bf02-cfb1c56543a3.html">earlier opening time</a> will generate more sales, and will help the supermarkets that sell beer and wine to stock the shelves. The earlier opening time is not mandatory and will have to be<a href="http://www.mass.gov/abcc/licensing.htm"> approved</a>. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-20732903844503075792014-10-18T09:00:00.000-04:002014-10-18T09:00:04.756-04:00Mass.gov: Gateway to All Things MassachusettsMassachusetts' website, <a href="http://www.mass.gov/">www.mass.gov</a>, is a user friendly resource for a surprising variety of information related to Massachusetts. Citizens can use the site to navigate their way to pertinent data <a href="http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/regs/index.htm">when registering a new car</a>,<a href="http://www.mass.gov/dor/"> paying their state income taxes,</a> or <a href="http://www.masslottery.com/games/">checking to see if they won the lottery</a>. <br />
But this portal can also help you to <a href="http://www.mass.gov/portal/transportation-recreation/trails-and-hiking/">plan some hikes</a>, <a href="http://www.massvacation.com/explore/weddings/">select a wedding venue</a>, or find the nearest <a href="http://www.massvacation.com/eat/type/farmers-markets/">Farmers' Market.</a> <br />
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So think of the Mass.gov gateway when you are searching for topics such as<a href="http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/air/programs/asbestos.html"> Asbestos Removal</a>, <a href="http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/fish-wildlife-plants/preventing-conflicts-wildlife-generic.html">Preventing Conflicts With Wildlife,</a> <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/attorneys-bar-applicants/bbe/bar-exam-info/">Bar Exam Information</a> or tracking down a<a href="http://www.mass.gov/portal/global-agency-list.html"> state agency</a>. But also remember that you can get help<a href="http://www.mass.gov/portal/articles/massachusetts-colleges.html"> planning a college education</a>, <a href="http://www.mass.gov/portal/business/start-business/">starting a business</a>, locating a<a href="http://www.mass.gov/portal/articles/parking-in-massachusetts.html"> parking spot at a transportation hub</a> or finding directions to your closest<a href="http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/locations/index.html"> Trial Court Law Library</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-90481943271876734782014-10-17T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-17T08:00:01.316-04:00New Report on Legislative ResearchThe Congressional Research Service recently issued a new report ( <a href="http://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43434.pdf?">R43434</a>) on how to find legislative materials. "It is intended to serve as a finding aid to sources of information... used in legislative research." Although it is compiled for use by congressional office staff, it contains resources available to the public. Helpful information is contained in Table 1 as it shows the access points for executive and legislative branch documents. Table A-1 gives a detailed description of the resources listed in Table 1 along with their URL. The report also contains a flow chart and explanation of the legislative process of how a bill becomes law. <br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://recalls.gov/">Recalls.gov</a> lists government initiated recalls from federal agencies</li>
<li><a href="http://nhtsa.gov/">NHTSA.gov</a> publishes safety information on vehicles and equipment such as children's car seats</li>
<li><a href="http://fsis.usda.gov/">FSIS.USDA.gov</a> lists recalls that involve meat, poultry or processed egg products</li>
<li><a href="http://fda.gov/">FDA.gov</a> lists recalls that involve food, medicines, medical devices, cosmetics, biologics, radiation emitting products, veterinary drugs and pet foods</li>
</ul>
If you have an issue with a product, you can report incidents and safety concerns with consumer products, or search for incidents reported by others at <a href="http://saferproducts.gov/">saferproducts.gov</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-24311251686531563082014-10-11T08:30:00.000-04:002014-10-11T08:30:01.266-04:00Massachusetts Insurance LawA notable new arrival at the Lawrence Law Library is the newest addition to Massachusetts Practice: <br />
<i><a href="http://masscourt.ipac.dynixasp.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=14127H909K2Y1.2235&profile=tcll1&menu=search&aspect=subtab23&uri=full%3D3100001~%2153635~%210&ri=2&source=~!masscourt&copykey=25064&spage=0&ipp=20">Massachusetts Insurance Law</a></i>. Covering Massachusetts motor vehicle, property, life, health, and
business insurance as well as consumer protection claims, claims
against insurance agents, and claims brought by an insurer against
another insurer. This one won't sit on the shelf very long so come on in and check it out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17532223.post-65473106262508849752014-10-10T08:30:00.000-04:002014-10-15T13:21:51.331-04:00New Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety CodeThe Board of Fire Prevention Regulations has posted the future <a href="http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dfs/osfm/boards/specific-meetings/publichearingdraftofmassamendmentstorevisedfiresafetycode-2-.pdf">Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code</a>, which will go into effect January 1, 2015. They are not "official" yet, but they are posted for training purposes.<br />
The new code adopts, in large part, the National Fire Prevention Association’s (NFPA) Model Fire Code (NFPA-1- 2012 Edition), with Massachusetts amendments. The new code replaces 527 CMR almost in its entirety, but will retain chapter 12, which is the Electrical Code amendments.<br />
The Board has also published a cross reference document, which is a table referencing the old code numbers to the new code numbers. The cross reference is call the <a href="http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dfs/osfm/boards/specific-meetings/2014-9-18-fea-body-bytitleofsection-finaldraft-cmr-nfpa1-website-print.pdf">Cross Walk</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com