foundation defense (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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foundation defense in Massachusetts

24 Massachusetts opinions name it 3 courts 1866–2019 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Massachusetts courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (14)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Killeleagreen
mass · 1976 · cited in 4 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2008–2018
2 sentences

2018The probative value of such 18 questioning is at its zenith where, as here, "the purpose of cross-examination is 'to shake the foundation of the defense experts' opinions rather than to focus on the defendant's prior criminality.'" Commonwealth v. Colleran, 452 Mass. 417, 425 (2008), quoting from Commonwealth v. Killelea, 370 Mass. 638, 650 (1976).

2017The probative value of such questioning is at its zenith where, as here, "the purpose of cross-examination is 'to shake the foundation of the defense experts' opinions rather than to focus on the defendant's prior criminality.' " Commonwealth v. Colleran , 452 Mass. 417 , 425, 895 N.E.2d 425 (2008), quoting from Commonwealth v. Killelea , 370 Mass. 638 , 650, 351 N.E.2d 509 (1976).

34
Commonwealth v. Collerangreen
mass · 2008 · cited in 3 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2012–2018
2 sentences

2018The probative value of such 18 questioning is at its zenith where, as here, "the purpose of cross-examination is 'to shake the foundation of the defense experts' opinions rather than to focus on the defendant's prior criminality.'" Commonwealth v. Colleran, 452 Mass. 417, 425 (2008), quoting from Commonwealth v. Killelea, 370 Mass. 638, 650 (1976).

2017The probative value of such questioning is at its zenith where, as here, "the purpose of cross-examination is 'to shake the foundation of the defense experts' opinions rather than to focus on the defendant's prior criminality.' " Commonwealth v. Colleran , 452 Mass. 417 , 425, 895 N.E.2d 425 (2008), quoting from Commonwealth v. Killelea , 370 Mass. 638 , 650, 351 N.E.2d 509 (1976).

23
Commonwealth v. Anestalgreen
mass · 2012 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2017–2018
2 sentences

2018See Anestal, supra at 670 .

2017See Anestal , supra at 670, 978 N.E.2d 37 .

22
Regis College v. Town of Westongreen
mass · 2012 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2019–2019
1 sentence

2019See Regis College, 462 Mass. at 285-286, 291 .

11
Commonwealth v. Saletinogreen
mass · 2007 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2011–2011
1 sentence

2011See Commonwealth v. Saletino, supra at 672-673 .

11
Bartoni's Casegreen
· 1916 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2008–2008
1 sentence

2008L. c. 152, § 1(1). 6 See note 1, supra. The reviewing board in Bunnell v. Wequasset Inn, supra, distinguished Bartoni’s Case, 225 Mass. 349, 352 (1916), where time was lost by the employee, a granite worker, because of inclement weather.

11
Commonwealth v. Darbygreen
massappct · 1994 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005As we stated in Commonwealth v. Darby, 37 Mass. App. Ct. 650, 654 (1994), “[w]e agree that evidence demonstrating a child’s inappropriate sexual knowledge may be relevant in a sexual abuse case.” Where such evidence is introduced, a defendant is entitled (provided an appropriate foundation for inquiry has been established, see Commonwealth v. Savage, 51 Mass. App. Ct. 500, 504 [2001]) to demonstrate the existence of alternative sources of such knowledge, including especially prior instances of abuse.

11
Commonwealth v. Scheffergreen
massappct · 1997 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005See Commonwealth v. Ruffen, 399 Mass. 811, 815 (1987); Commonwealth v. Scheffer, 43 Mass. App. Ct. 398, 399 (1997).

11
Commonwealth v. Savagegreen
massappct · 2001 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005As we stated in Commonwealth v. Darby, 37 Mass. App. Ct. 650, 654 (1994), “[w]e agree that evidence demonstrating a child’s inappropriate sexual knowledge may be relevant in a sexual abuse case.” Where such evidence is introduced, a defendant is entitled (provided an appropriate foundation for inquiry has been established, see Commonwealth v. Savage, 51 Mass. App. Ct. 500, 504 [2001]) to demonstrate the existence of alternative sources of such knowledge, including especially prior instances of abuse.

11
Commonwealth v. Ruffengreen
mass · 1987 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005See Commonwealth v. Ruffen, 399 Mass. 811, 815 (1987); Commonwealth v. Scheffer, 43 Mass. App. Ct. 398, 399 (1997).

11
Commonwealth v. Torresgreen
mass · 1997 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
1 sentence

1999The foregoing discussion explains the foundation of our rule that, once a stopped driver has produced the necessary papers and they are found to be in order, he and his passengers are to be promptly released, Commonwealth v. Torres, 424 Mass. 153, 158 (1997), and why we choose not to follow Mimms-Wilson.

11
Commonwealth v. Bryergreen
mass · 1986 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1993–1993
1 sentence

1993He thereby “opened the issue of his credibility and was subject to scrutiny on that ground.” Commonwealth v. Bryer, 398 Mass. 9, 12 (1986). 8 There is no merit to Graves’s attempt to benefit from the prosecutor’s initial argument to the judge (during a bench conference regarding the propriety of her cross-examination inquiry into Graves’s not having called the alibi witnesses) that no foundation had to be established because her argument was that “these people never existed.” By the time the judge gave the “missing witness” instruction attacked in this appeal, a proper foundation for the instr

11
Commonwealth v. LeBlancgreen
mass · 1973 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1976–1976
1 sentence

1976See Commonwealth v. LeBlanc, 364 Mass. at 14 (“Nor need counsel advance defences for which he can find no evidential support in order to fend against later charges of incompetence or ineffectiveness”).

11
Harvey-Watts Co. v. Worcester Umbrella Co.green
mass · 1906 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1915–1915
1 sentence

1915See Harvey-Watts Co. v. Worcester Umbrella Co. 193 Mass. 138 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Massachusetts. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (12)

CaseCitedYears
Foster v. Richard Busteed green
mass · 1868
2 sentences

1938“The doctrine of res adjudicata is plain and intelligible, and amounts simply to this, that a cause of action once finally determined, without appeal, between the parties, on the merits, by any competent tribunal, cannot afterwards be litigated by new proceedings either before the same or any other tribunal.” Foster v. Busteed, 100 Mass. 409, 412 .

1923The foundation of the rule of res judicata is that when a final verdict or decree has been entered on the merits of the case by a court of competent jurisdiction, the judgment or decree is conclusive. “ The doctrine of res adjudicata is plain and intelligible, and amounts simply to this, that a cause of action once finally determined, without appeal, between the parties, on the merits, by any competent tribunal, cannot afterwards be litigated by new proceedings either before the same or any other tribunal.” Foster v. Busteed, 100 Mass. 409, 412 .

21923–1938
Newcomb v. Boston Protective Department green
mass · 1888
2 sentences

1933In each of the cases where either the motor vehicle or its operator was characterized as an “outlaw” the decision rested upon principles of nuisance, trespass or negligence or, perhaps, as stated in another connection in Newcomb v. Boston Protective Department, 146 Mass. 596, 602 , the plaintiff was “precluded from recovering, on the ground that the court will not lend its aid to one whose violation of law is the foundation of his claim.” The principles governing the present case are to be found within those categories.

1905It is further to be observed that while the violation of law by a defendant, although evidence of his negligence, is not conclusive even when the illegal act contributes to the injury, (Hanlon v. South Boston Horse Railroad, 129 Mass. 310 , and cases there cited,) yet such violation on the part of the plaintiff, which contributes directly and proximately to the injury received by him, is in general a bar to his recovery. “ He is precluded from recovering, on the ground that the court will not lend its aid to one whose violation of law is the foundation of his claim.” Knowlton, J. in Newcomb v.

21905–1933
Cabot Corp. v. AVX Corp. green
mass · 2007
1 sentence

2011As the Supreme Judicial Court has noted, “an intention to ratify is ‘an essential element and is at the foundation of the doctrine of waiver or ratification.’ ” Cabot Corp. v. AVX Corp., 448 Mass. at 645 , quoting from Annot., Ratification of Contract Voidable for Duress, 77 A.L.R.2d 426 , 434 (1961).

12011–2011
Commonwealth v. SCHATVEN green
massappct · 1986
1 sentence

1999Commonwealth v. Schatvet, 23 Mass. App. Ct. at 135 .

11999–1999
Commonwealth v. Whynaught green
mass · 1979
1 sentence

1984Although we do not at this time specify an exclusive method, see Commonwealth v. Whynaught, supra at 19 , we believe a showing that the breathalyzer used was, at the time of the examination, “hardened” according to the procedure approved by Smith & Wesson, would satisfy the foundation requirement.

11984–1984
Harlow v. Putnam green
mass · 1878
1 sentence

1911In connection with the general proposition see also Cabot v. Haskins, 3 Pick. 83 , 92, 93; Tobey v. Wareham Bank, 13 Met. 440 , 449; Lester v. Palmer, 4 Allen, 145 ; Harlow v. Putnam, 124 Mass. 553 .

11911–1911
Hawley v. Inhabitants of Northampton green
mass · 1811
1 sentence

1908Gray, Restraints on Alienation, sec. 21; Hawley v. Northampton, 8 Mass. 3, 31 ; Gray v. Blanchard, 8 Pick. 283 ; Winsor v. Mills, 157 Mass. 362 .

11908–1908
Winsor v. Mills green
mass · 1892
1 sentence

1908Gray, Restraints on Alienation, sec. 21; Hawley v. Northampton, 8 Mass. 3, 31 ; Gray v. Blanchard, 8 Pick. 283 ; Winsor v. Mills, 157 Mass. 362 .

11908–1908
Hanlon v. South Boston Horse Railroad neutral
mass · 1880
1 sentence

1905It is further to be observed that while the violation of law by a defendant, although evidence of his negligence, is not conclusive even when the illegal act contributes to the injury, (Hanlon v. South Boston Horse Railroad, 129 Mass. 310 , and cases there cited,) yet such violation on the part of the plaintiff, which contributes directly and proximately to the injury received by him, is in general a bar to his recovery. “ He is precluded from recovering, on the ground that the court will not lend its aid to one whose violation of law is the foundation of his claim.” Knowlton, J. in Newcomb v.

11905–1905
Safford v. Knight neutral
mass · 1875
1 sentence

1891Safford v. Knight, 117 Mass. 281 , and cases cited.

11891–1891
Hall v. Corcoran green
mass · 1871
1 sentence

1888Hall v. Corcoran, 107 Mass. 251 .

11888–1888
Paxton v. Daniell green
· 1890
1 sentence

1866Currier v. Silloway, 1 Allen, 19 .

11866–1866

Where else courts name it

CA 135 (1884–2026) NY 109 (1839–2025) TX 93 (1858–2025) IL 79 (1873–2025) CT 69 (1878–2024) MO 65 (1876–2022) PA 50 (1842–2026) GA 38 (1900–2025) WA 29 (1908–2025) MD 28 (1905–2019) IA 27 (1864–2019) AL 27 (1882–2013) OH 26 (1837–2023) NC 26 (1880–2026) KY 26 (1880–2014) MA 24 (1866–2019) MT 20 (1885–2012) FL 20 (1931–2024) NJ 19 (1911–2026) IN 18 (1865–2002) MI 17 (1831–2015) NM 17 (1897–2024) KS 17 (1896–2024) OR 16 (1886–2026) MN 16 (1897–2025) AZ 15 (1899–2024) VA 15 (1899–2021) MS 15 (1921–2022) HI 15 (1905–2021) LA 14 (1895–2013) ID 14 (1888–2025) UT 14 (1891–2024) WI 13 (1875–2025) OK 13 (1921–1998) WV 13 (1886–2022) CO 12 (1903–2026) NE 12 (1894–2024) TN 11 (1815–2015) VT 9 (1883–2020) DE 8 (1944–2026) ME 8 (1853–2006) SD 7 (1912–2004) DC 7 (1899–2009) SC 6 (1911–2018) WY 6 (1925–1997) ND 5 (1907–1980) AR 5 (1933–2015) NH 5 (1826–2012) AK 2 (1971–2006) NV 2 (1925–2026) RI 2 (1890–1893)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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