mens rea requirement (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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mens rea requirement in Massachusetts

13 Massachusetts opinions name it 2 courts 1966–2011 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 (20)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Monsengreen
mass · 1979 · cited in 3 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1980–1983
2 sentences

1983In Commonwealth v. Golston, 373 Mass. 249, 260 (1977), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 1039 (1978), the court stated: “There is no requirement that the defendant know that his act was extremely atrocious or cruel, and no requirement of deliberate premeditation.” Finally, in Commonwealth v. Monsen, 377 Mass. 245 (1979), the court observed: “To import a mens rea requirement into the words ‘extreme atrocity or cruelty’ would be to blur the distinction between that form of murder in the first degree and the premeditated variety. . . .

1980A murder committed with malice aforethought may be found to have been committed with extreme atrocity or cruelty, even though the murderer did not know that his act was extremely atrocious or cruel.” In Commonwealth v. Appleby, 358 Mass. 407, 415 (1970), this court said: “It is not necessary ... to show that such atrocity or cruelty [with which the murder was committed] was premeditated or that the defendant knew his conduct constituted extreme atrocity or cruelty.” In the very recent case of Commonwealth v. Monsen, 377 Mass. 245, 254 (1979), we said: “To import a mens rea requirement into the

23
Dennis v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1951 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1982–1992
2 sentences

1992“While the ‘existence of a mens rea is the rule of, rather than the exception to, the principle of Anglo-American jurisprudence,’ Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494, 500 (1951), it is just that — a general principle, not always a constitutionally mandated doctrine.

1982While the “existence of a mens rea is the rule of, rather than the exception to, the principles of Anglo-American jurisprudence,” Dennis v. United States, 341 U.S. 494, 500 (1951), it is just that — a general principle, not always a constitutionally mandated doctrine.

22
Smith v. Californiagreen
scotus · 1960 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1982–1992
2 sentences

1992States may ‘create strict criminal liabilities by defining criminal offenses without any element of scienter.’ Smith v. California, 361 U.S. 147, 150 (1959).

1982States may “create strict criminal liabilities by defining criminal offenses without any element of scienter.” 4 Smith v. California, 361 U.S. 147, 150 (1959).

22
United States v. Bank of New England, N.A.green
ca1 · 1987 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2011–2011
1 sentence

2011Where a mens rea requirement of mere knowledge attaches to a material element of a statutorily-created crime unknown at common law, “[a] collective knowledge instruction is entirely appropriate in the context of corporate criminal liability.” United States v. Bank of New England, N.A., 821 F.2d 844, 856 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 943 (1987) (Bank of New England).

11
Commonwealth v. Bacongreen
mass · 1978 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006See Commonwealth v. Bacon, 374 Mass. at 361 (recognizing that obscenity conviction requires “knowledge of a more specific kind”).

11
Commonwealth v. Delaneygreen
mass · 1997 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1998–1998
1 sentence

1998L. c. 209A, § 7, required at least minimal proof that he intended to do the act that resulted in the violation, and that the Commonwealth’s proof was insufficient to warrant such a finding. 4 In Commonwealth v. Delaney, 425 Mass. 587, 595-597 (1997), cert. denied, 118 S. Ct. 714 (1998), we considered the mens rea requirement necessary under G.

11
Commonwealth v. Crosscupgreen
mass · 1975 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
1 sentence

1992See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Crosscup, 369 Mass. 228 , 234-235 & n.5 (1975); Commonwealth v. Jackson, 369 Mass. 904, 916 (1976); Commonwealth v. Buckley, 354 Mass. 508, 511-512 (1968); Commonwealth v. Dellamano, 17 Mass. App. Ct. 156, 157 (1983), S.C., 393 *229 Mass. 132 (1984); Commonwealth v. Wallace, 14 Mass. App. Ct. 358, 363-364 (1982).

11
Commonwealth v. Dellamanogreen
massappct · 1983 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
1 sentence

1992See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Crosscup, 369 Mass. 228 , 234-235 & n.5 (1975); Commonwealth v. Jackson, 369 Mass. 904, 916 (1976); Commonwealth v. Buckley, 354 Mass. 508, 511-512 (1968); Commonwealth v. Dellamano, 17 Mass. App. Ct. 156, 157 (1983), S.C., 393 *229 Mass. 132 (1984); Commonwealth v. Wallace, 14 Mass. App. Ct. 358, 363-364 (1982).

11
Commonwealth v. Buckleygreen
mass · 1968 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
1 sentence

1992See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Crosscup, 369 Mass. 228 , 234-235 & n.5 (1975); Commonwealth v. Jackson, 369 Mass. 904, 916 (1976); Commonwealth v. Buckley, 354 Mass. 508, 511-512 (1968); Commonwealth v. Dellamano, 17 Mass. App. Ct. 156, 157 (1983), S.C., 393 *229 Mass. 132 (1984); Commonwealth v. Wallace, 14 Mass. App. Ct. 358, 363-364 (1982).

11
Commonwealth v. Wallacegreen
massappct · 1982 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
1 sentence

1992See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Crosscup, 369 Mass. 228 , 234-235 & n.5 (1975); Commonwealth v. Jackson, 369 Mass. 904, 916 (1976); Commonwealth v. Buckley, 354 Mass. 508, 511-512 (1968); Commonwealth v. Dellamano, 17 Mass. App. Ct. 156, 157 (1983), S.C., 393 *229 Mass. 132 (1984); Commonwealth v. Wallace, 14 Mass. App. Ct. 358, 363-364 (1982).

11
Commonwealth v. Jacksongreen
mass · 1976 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1992–1992
1 sentence

1992See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Crosscup, 369 Mass. 228 , 234-235 & n.5 (1975); Commonwealth v. Jackson, 369 Mass. 904, 916 (1976); Commonwealth v. Buckley, 354 Mass. 508, 511-512 (1968); Commonwealth v. Dellamano, 17 Mass. App. Ct. 156, 157 (1983), S.C., 393 *229 Mass. 132 (1984); Commonwealth v. Wallace, 14 Mass. App. Ct. 358, 363-364 (1982).

11
Williams v. Stategreen
texcrimapp · 1983 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11
State v. Hortongreen
· 1969 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11
Julian W. Sears v. United Statesgreen
ca5 · 1965 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11
United States v. Joseph A. Chase, United States of America v. Robert H. Parrish, United States of America v. Wyatt J. Roy, Jr.green
ca4 · 1967 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11
King v. Stategreen
fla · 1958 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11
Delaney v. Stategreen
tenn · 1932 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11
Commonwealth v. Golstongreen
mass · 1977 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1983–1983
1 sentence

1983In Commonwealth v. Golston, 373 Mass. 249, 260 (1977), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 1039 (1978), the court stated: “There is no requirement that the defendant know that his act was extremely atrocious or cruel, and no requirement of deliberate premeditation.” Finally, in Commonwealth v. Monsen, 377 Mass. 245 (1979), the court observed: “To import a mens rea requirement into the words ‘extreme atrocity or cruelty’ would be to blur the distinction between that form of murder in the first degree and the premeditated variety. . . .

11
Commonwealth v. Applebygreen
mass · 1970 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1980–1980
2 sentences

1980A murder committed with malice aforethought may be found to have been committed with extreme atrocity or cruelty, even though the murderer did not know that his act was extremely atrocious or cruel.” In Commonwealth v. Appleby, 358 Mass. 407, 415 (1970), this court said: “It is not necessary ... to show that such atrocity or cruelty [with which the murder was committed] was premeditated or that the defendant knew his conduct constituted extreme atrocity or cruelty.” In the very recent case of Commonwealth v. Monsen, 377 Mass. 245, 254 (1979), we said: “To import a mens rea requirement into the

1980A murder committed with malice aforethought may be found to have been committed with extreme atrocity or cruelty, even though the murderer did not know that his act was extremely atrocious or cruel." In Commonwealth v. Appleby, 358 Mass. 407, 415 (1970), this court said: "It is not necessary ... to show that such atrocity or cruelty [with which the murder was committed] was premeditated or that the defendant knew his conduct constituted extreme atrocity or cruelty." In the very recent case of Commonwealth v. Monsen, 377 Mass. 245, 254 (1979), we said: "To import a mens rea requirement into the

11
Commonwealth v. Mixergreen
mass · 1910 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1966–1966
1 sentence

1966See Commonwealth v. Mixer, 207 Mass. 141, 142-143 , where numerous instances of strict criminal liability are collected.

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 (9)

CaseCitedYears
Burtenshaw v. Ferry green
scotus · 1987
1 sentence

2011Where a mens rea requirement of mere knowledge attaches to a material element of a statutorily-created crime unknown at common law, “[a] collective knowledge instruction is entirely appropriate in the context of corporate criminal liability.” United States v. Bank of New England, N.A., 821 F.2d 844, 856 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 943 (1987) (Bank of New England).

12011–2011
Commonwealth v. Life Care Centers of America, Inc. green
mass · 2010
1 sentence

2011In Commonwealth v. Life Care Centers of America, Inc., 456 Mass. 826 (2010) (Life Care), the court acknowledged this principle.

12011–2011
Commonwealth v. Whitman green
mass · 2000
1 sentence

2009That argument has been addressed and soundly rejected by the Supreme Judicial Court in Commonwealth v. Whitman, 430 Mass. 746 (2000).

12009–2009
Commonwealth v. Sama green
mass · 1991
1 sentence

2006Although not made explicit in Commonwealth v. Sama, supra, the context of the decision suggests that with respect to crimes that have a “knowledge” component of the mens rea requirement, in addition to or in lieu of intent, the defendant’s intoxication is only relevant if the crime requires a specific knowledge.

12006–2006
Commonwealth v. Cunneen green
mass · 1983
1 sentence

2001Those decisions merely added a defendant’s impaired mental capacity as “an additional factor which the jury should consider in determining whether the murder was committed with extreme atrocity or cruelty.” Commonwealth v. Cunneen, supra at 228 .

12001–2001
Delaney v. Massachusetts green
scotus · 1998
1 sentence

1998L. c. 209A, § 7, required at least minimal proof that he intended to do the act that resulted in the violation, and that the Commonwealth’s proof was insufficient to warrant such a finding. 4 In Commonwealth v. Delaney, 425 Mass. 587, 595-597 (1997), cert. denied, 118 S. Ct. 714 (1998), we considered the mens rea requirement necessary under G.

11998–1998
Bryant-Buckner Associates, Inc. v. Danville Tobacco Ass'n green
scotus · 1967
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11986–1986
Marcello v. United States green
scotus · 1970
1 sentence

1986See Sears v. United States, 343 F.2d 139, 142 (5th Cir. 1965); United States v. Chase, 372 F.2d 453, 459 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 387 U.S. 907 (1967); King v. State, 104 So.2d 730, 733 (Fla. 1958); State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 657 (1969), cert, denied, 398 U.S. 959 (1970); Delaney v. State, 164 Tenn. 432, 435-436 (1932); Williams v. State, 646 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim.

11986–1986
Golston v. Massachusetts green
scotus · 1978
1 sentence

1983In Commonwealth v. Golston, 373 Mass. 249, 260 (1977), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 1039 (1978), the court stated: “There is no requirement that the defendant know that his act was extremely atrocious or cruel, and no requirement of deliberate premeditation.” Finally, in Commonwealth v. Monsen, 377 Mass. 245 (1979), the court observed: “To import a mens rea requirement into the words ‘extreme atrocity or cruelty’ would be to blur the distinction between that form of murder in the first degree and the premeditated variety. . . .

11983–1983

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 278, § 33E (4) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 265, § 1 (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.

Where else courts name it

PA 124 (1977–2026) CA 119 (1961–2026) TX 117 (1976–2026) IN 58 (1982–2026) NM 53 (1975–2026) MI 46 (1966–2026) WA 40 (1960–2026) UT 39 (1978–2026) IL 38 (1991–2025) FL 37 (1966–2022) MN 35 (1976–2025) OH 35 (1966–2026) CO 33 (1981–2026) MD 28 (1977–2025) VA 26 (1991–2025) NY 23 (1969–2021) DC 23 (1975–2025) MS 20 (2003–2024) TN 16 (1997–2026) SD 14 (2003–2023) MA 13 (1966–2011) NH 12 (1954–2025) CT 12 (1984–2022) IA 11 (1967–2025) NC 11 (1998–2026) AZ 11 (1979–2025) AK 10 (1979–2024) LA 10 (1961–2016) MO 8 (1995–2023) NJ 8 (1999–2020) VT 8 (2009–2020) GA 7 (1988–2023) KS 7 (1995–2024) OR 7 (1979–2013) ID 7 (1990–2022) HI 6 (1998–2025) RI 6 (1992–2006) OK 6 (1989–2024) VI 5 (2001–2014) ME 4 (2005–2026) GU 4 (2021–2025) WI 4 (1967–2002) AL 4 (1983–2025) SC 3 (2010–2019) ND 3 (2021–2025) DE 3 (2017–2025) WY 3 (1983–2023) NE 3 (1989–2016) AR 2 (2002–2007) NV 2 (2017–2017) MT 2 (2007–2010)

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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