decidedly low standard (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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decidedly low standard in Massachusetts

13 Massachusetts opinions name it 3 courts 2013–2026 4 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 (10)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Hanrightgreen
mass · 2013 · cited in 9 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2014–2025
2 sentences

2025Although “a decidedly low standard,” Commonwealth v. Barbosa, 477 Mass. 658, 675 (2017), quoting Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013), probable cause is “reasonably trustworthy information,” which may include hearsay, “sufficient to warrant a prudent [person] in believing that the defendant [ ] committed” the offense.

2025See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013) ("Probable cause . . . is a decidedly low standard"); Paquette v. Commonwealth, 440 Mass. 121, 134 (2003) ("Statements of victims to police are sufficiently reliable for the purpose of establishing probable cause to arrest").

69
Commonwealth v. Morangreen
mass · 2009 · cited in 4 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2013–2016
2 sentences

2016“Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard.” Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013), citing Commonwealth v. Moran, 453 Mass. 880, 883-84 (2009), and Commonwealth v. Hason, 387 Mass. 169, 174 (1982).

2016“Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard.” Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013), citing Commonwealth v. Moran, 453 Mass. 880, 883-84 (2009), and Commonwealth v. Hason, 387 Mass. 169, 174 (1982).

44
Commonwealth v. Levesquegreen
mass · 2002 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
2 sentences

2026"When testing the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a grand jury indictment [courts] need not determine that the evidence would allow a reasonable person to find [the defendant guilty] beyond a reasonable doub t." Commonwealth v. Riley, 73 Mass. App. Ct. 721, 726-727 (2009), quoting Commonwealth v. Levesque, 436 Mass. 443, 452 (2002).

2026"When testing the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a grand jury indictment (courts] need not determine that the evidence would allow a reasonable person to find [the defendant guilty] beyond a reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v. Riley , 73 Mass. App. Ct. 721, 726-727 (2009), quoting Commonwealth v. Levesque, 436 Mass. 443, 452 (2002).

22
Commonwealth v. Rileygreen
massappct · 2009 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
2 sentences

2026"When testing the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a grand jury indictment [courts] need not determine that the evidence would allow a reasonable person to find [the defendant guilty] beyond a reasonable doub t." Commonwealth v. Riley, 73 Mass. App. Ct. 721, 726-727 (2009), quoting Commonwealth v. Levesque, 436 Mass. 443, 452 (2002).

2026"When testing the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a grand jury indictment (courts] need not determine that the evidence would allow a reasonable person to find [the defendant guilty] beyond a reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v. Riley , 73 Mass. App. Ct. 721, 726-727 (2009), quoting Commonwealth v. Levesque, 436 Mass. 443, 452 (2002).

22
Commonwealth v. Fernandesgreen
mass · 2019 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
2 sentences

2026"Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard." Commonwealth v. Fernandes, 483 Mass. 1, 20 (2019) (Cypher, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part) (citation and internal quotations omitted).

2026"Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard." Commonwealth v. Fernandes, 483 Mass. 1, 20 (2019) (Cypher, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part) (citation and internal quotations omitted).

22
Commonwealth v. Barbosagreen
mass · 2017 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2019–2025
2 sentences

2025Although “a decidedly low standard,” Commonwealth v. Barbosa, 477 Mass. 658, 675 (2017), quoting Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013), probable cause is “reasonably trustworthy information,” which may include hearsay, “sufficient to warrant a prudent [person] in believing that the defendant [ ] committed” the offense.

2019"Probable cause . . . is a decidedly low standard." Commonwealth v. Barbosa, 477 Mass. 658, 675 (2017), quoting Commonwealth v. Hanright, --------------------------- [4]On April 11, 2017 at 11:16 AM, the police responded to a call about an elder wandering.

22
Commonwealth v. Stevensgreen
mass · 1972 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2016–2025
2 sentences

2025Hanright, 466 Mass. at 311-312 , quoting Commonwealth v. Stevens, 362 Mass. 24, 26 (1972).

2016The evidence presented to the grand jury must, however, consist of “reasonably trustworthy information . . . sufficient to warrant a prudent man in believing,” Hanright , 466 Mass, at 311-12, quoting Commonwealth v. Stevens, 362 Mass. 24, 26 (1972), defendant had been convicted of a “violent crime.” I now address each of defendant’s two convictions presented before the grand jury as ACCA predicates.

22
Commonwealth v. Hasongreen
mass · 1982 · cited in 4 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2013–2016
2 sentences

2016“Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard.” Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013), citing Commonwealth v. Moran, 453 Mass. 880, 883-84 (2009), and Commonwealth v. Hason, 387 Mass. 169, 174 (1982).

2016“Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard.” Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013), citing Commonwealth v. Moran, 453 Mass. 880, 883-84 (2009), and Commonwealth v. Hason, 387 Mass. 169, 174 (1982).

14
Paquette v. Commonwealthgreen
mass · 2003 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Hanright, 466 Mass. 303, 311 (2013) ("Probable cause . . . is a decidedly low standard"); Paquette v. Commonwealth, 440 Mass. 121, 134 (2003) ("Statements of victims to police are sufficiently reliable for the purpose of establishing probable cause to arrest").

11
Commonwealth v. Perkinsgreen
mass · 2013 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
1 sentence

2016See also Commonwealth v. Perkins, 464 Mass. 92 , 101 & n.18 (2013) (probable cause is “substantially” less than proof required to avoid directed verdict).

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 (4)

CaseCitedYears
Commonwealth v. Brown green
mass · 2017
2 sentences

2019In fact, "[p]robable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard." **21 Commonwealth v. Hanright , 466 Mass. 303 , 311, 994 N.E.2d 363 (2013), overruled on another ground by Commonwealth v. Brown , 477 Mass. 805 , 81 N.E.3d 1173 (2017).

2019Although "[p]robable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard," Commonwealth v. Hanright , 466 Mass. 303 , 311 (2013), abrogated on other grounds, Commonwealth v. Brown , 477 Mass. 805 (2017), a grand jury "must be presented with evidence on each of the ... elements of each offense charged in order for an indictment to stand" (citation and quotations omitted).

22019–2019
Commonwealth v. McCarthy green
mass · 1982
1 sentence

2017McCarthy, 385 Mass. at 163 .

12017–2017
Commonwealth v. Zanetti green
mass · 2009
1 sentence

2013Whether the defendant knowingly participated in, and harbored the intent required for, the escape-related crimes is a question appropriately left for trial. 8 Commonwealth v. Zanetti, supra. Commonwealth v. Richards, supra. Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard.

12013–2013
Commonwealth v. Richards green
mass · 1973
1 sentence

2013Whether the defendant knowingly participated in, and harbored the intent required for, the escape-related crimes is a question appropriately left for trial. 8 Commonwealth v. Zanetti, supra. Commonwealth v. Richards, supra. Probable cause to sustain an indictment is a decidedly low standard.

12013–2013

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 13L (3) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 15A (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

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