public safety exception (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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public safety exception in Massachusetts

12 Massachusetts opinions name it 3 courts 1996–2025 2 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 (11)

CaseFollowedCited
New York v. Quarlesgreen
scotus · 1984 · cited in 9 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1996–2025
2 sentences

2018The judge further ruled that in any event, the Miranda requirement did not apply to either interview because both fell within the public safety exception, as articulated in New York v. Quarles , 467 U.S. 649 (1984) ( Quarles ).

2018In Quarles , 467 U.S. at 655 -657 , the United States Supreme Court recognized a public safety exception to the requirement that a suspect be advised of his Miranda rights before he is questioned.

59
Commonwealth v. Alan A.green
massappct · 1999 · cited in 5 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2004–2025
2 sentences

2006I agree that, in light of New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649, 656-657 (1984), as interpreted by Commonwealth v. Alan A., 47 Mass. App. Ct. 271 (1999), the public safety exception applies to the facts of this case, obviating the need for Miranda warnings when questioning is limited to ascertaining whether the gun is in a public place. 1 This exception does not, however, provide a basis to permit a warrantless search for the gun in the juvenile’s home. 2 Nor does it permit further questioning regarding the gun in the absence of Miranda warnings (and, where a juvenile is involved, a meaningful opp

2005The Commonwealth did not contend that the public safety exception to the Miranda requirement applied in this case, see New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649 (1984); Commonwealth v. Alan A., a juvenile, 47 Mass. App. Ct. 271 (1999), and the facts would probably not have supported such a claim.

25
Commonwealth v. Meneusgreen
mass · 2017 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2020–2022
2 sentences

2022See, e.g., Meneus, 476 Mass. at 239 ("we have not gone so far as to carve out a public safety exception based on this factor"); Gomes, supra at 1018 (no basis for stop where anonymous tip reported man holding gun in air in street; "[t]here is no 'firearm exception' to the general rule barring investigatory stops and frisks on the sole basis of an anonymous tip"); Commonwealth v. Barros, 435 Mass. 171, 172, 178 (2001) (no reasonable suspicion based on anonymous tip that man showed gun to others at intersection); Commonwealth v. DeJesus, 72 Mass. App. Ct. 117, 118-119 (2008) (no reasonable suspi

2020But see Meneus, supra ("we have not gone so far as to carve out a public safety exception").

12
Commonwealth v. Dillon D.green
mass · 2007 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2009–2019
2 sentences

2019Finally, it is true, as the Commonwealth argues, that the public safety exception allows police to ask "suspects questions dedicated to locating [ ] missing weapons without being required to give Miranda warnings," Commonwealth v. Guthrie G ., 66 Mass. App. Ct. 414 , 417 (2006), in circumstances where concern for public safety is paramount, Commonwealth v. Dillon D ., 448 Mass. 793 , 796 (2007).

2009See New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649, 656-657 (1984); Commonwealth v. Clark, 432 Mass. at 13-14 ; Commonwealth v. Dillon D., 448 Mass. 793, 796 (2007); Commonwealth v. Alan A., 47 Mass. App. Ct. 271, 274-275 (1999); Commonwealth v. Guthrie G., 66 Mass. App. Ct. 414, 416 (2006), S.C., 449 Mass. 1028 (2007).

12
Commonwealth v. Guthrie G.green
massappct · 2006 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2009–2019
2 sentences

2019Finally, it is true, as the Commonwealth argues, that the public safety exception allows police to ask "suspects questions dedicated to locating [ ] missing weapons without being required to give Miranda warnings," Commonwealth v. Guthrie G ., 66 Mass. App. Ct. 414 , 417 (2006), in circumstances where concern for public safety is paramount, Commonwealth v. Dillon D ., 448 Mass. 793 , 796 (2007).

2009See New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649, 656-657 (1984); Commonwealth v. Clark, 432 Mass. at 13-14 ; Commonwealth v. Dillon D., 448 Mass. 793, 796 (2007); Commonwealth v. Alan A., 47 Mass. App. Ct. 271, 274-275 (1999); Commonwealth v. Guthrie G., 66 Mass. App. Ct. 414, 416 (2006), S.C., 449 Mass. 1028 (2007).

12
Commonwealth v. Washingtongreen
mass · 2007 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025However, "[w]e may affirm the denial of a motion to suppress on any ground supported by the record." Commonwealth v. Washington, 449 Mass. 476, 483 (2007). 6 quoting New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649, 659 (1984).

11
Commonwealth v. Barrosgreen
mass · 2001 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022See, e.g., Meneus, 476 Mass. at 239 ("we have not gone so far as to carve out a public safety exception based on this factor"); Gomes, supra at 1018 (no basis for stop where anonymous tip reported man holding gun in air in street; "[t]here is no 'firearm exception' to the general rule barring investigatory stops and frisks on the sole basis of an anonymous tip"); Commonwealth v. Barros, 435 Mass. 171, 172, 178 (2001) (no reasonable suspicion based on anonymous tip that man showed gun to others at intersection); Commonwealth v. DeJesus, 72 Mass. App. Ct. 117, 118-119 (2008) (no reasonable suspi

11
Commonwealth v. Vinton V.green
mass · 2010 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022See, e.g., Meneus, 476 Mass. at 239 ("we have not gone so far as to carve out a public safety exception based on this factor"); Gomes, supra at 1018 (no basis for stop where anonymous tip reported man holding gun in air in street; "[t]here is no 'firearm exception' to the general rule barring investigatory stops and frisks on the sole basis of an anonymous tip"); Commonwealth v. Barros, 435 Mass. 171, 172, 178 (2001) (no reasonable suspicion based on anonymous tip that man showed gun to others at intersection); Commonwealth v. DeJesus, 72 Mass. App. Ct. 117, 118-119 (2008) (no reasonable suspi

11
Commonwealth v. DeJesusgreen
massappct · 2008 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2022–2022
1 sentence

2022See, e.g., Meneus, 476 Mass. at 239 ("we have not gone so far as to carve out a public safety exception based on this factor"); Gomes, supra at 1018 (no basis for stop where anonymous tip reported man holding gun in air in street; "[t]here is no 'firearm exception' to the general rule barring investigatory stops and frisks on the sole basis of an anonymous tip"); Commonwealth v. Barros, 435 Mass. 171, 172, 178 (2001) (no reasonable suspicion based on anonymous tip that man showed gun to others at intersection); Commonwealth v. DeJesus, 72 Mass. App. Ct. 117, 118-119 (2008) (no reasonable suspi

11
Commonwealth v. Dagracagreen
mass · 2006 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2017–2017
1 sentence

2017Even if we assume, without deciding, that it was constitutional error to admit the defendant's postinvocation statements and the evidence about the ensuing, but fruitless, police search for the gun, any such error would not require reversal in this case. 13 Where the Commonwealth introduces evidence in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights, "we examine the case to determine whether the erroneous admission was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt." Commonwealth v. Dagraca, 447 Mass. 546, 552 (2006).

11
Commonwealth v. Rogersgreen
mass · 2005 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006Commonwealth v. Rogers, 444 Mass. 234, 241 (2005).

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (1)

CaseNegativeCited
Commonwealth v. Meneusgreen
mass · 2017 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2020–2022
2 sentences

2022See, e.g., Meneus, 476 Mass. at 239 ("we have not gone so far as to carve out a public safety exception based on this factor"); Gomes, supra at 1018 (no basis for stop where anonymous tip reported man holding gun in air in street; "[t]here is no 'firearm exception' to the general rule barring investigatory stops and frisks on the sole basis of an anonymous tip"); Commonwealth v. Barros, 435 Mass. 171, 172, 178 (2001) (no reasonable suspicion based on anonymous tip that man showed gun to others at intersection); Commonwealth v. DeJesus, 72 Mass. App. Ct. 117, 118-119 (2008) (no reasonable suspi

2020But see Meneus, supra ("we have not gone so far as to carve out a public safety exception").

12

Also cited on this issue (5)

CaseCitedYears
Commonwealth v. Clark green
mass · 2000
2 sentences

2009See New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649, 656-657 (1984); Commonwealth v. Clark, 432 Mass. at 13-14 ; Commonwealth v. Dillon D., 448 Mass. 793, 796 (2007); Commonwealth v. Alan A., 47 Mass. App. Ct. 271, 274-275 (1999); Commonwealth v. Guthrie G., 66 Mass. App. Ct. 414, 416 (2006), S.C., 449 Mass. 1028 (2007).

2007Commonwealth v. Clark, supra. Here, Partello was faced with an emergency situation that required protecting approximately 890 children at the middle school and residents of the neighborhood.

22007–2009
Commonwealth v. Loadholt green
mass · 2010
1 sentence

2025The court held that the public safety exception applied, noting, among other factors, that the live round of ammunition suggested an immediate threat to the officers and other occupants of the apartment, and that "the entire apartment had not yet been 7 cleared, so the officers did not know if other individuals were present." Id. at 419 .

12025–2025
Commonwealth v. Guthrie G. green
mass · 2007
1 sentence

2009See New York v. Quarles, 467 U.S. 649, 656-657 (1984); Commonwealth v. Clark, 432 Mass. at 13-14 ; Commonwealth v. Dillon D., 448 Mass. 793, 796 (2007); Commonwealth v. Alan A., 47 Mass. App. Ct. 271, 274-275 (1999); Commonwealth v. Guthrie G., 66 Mass. App. Ct. 414, 416 (2006), S.C., 449 Mass. 1028 (2007).

12009–2009
Commonwealth v. MacNeill green
mass · 1987
1 sentence

2007Commonwealth v. MacNeill, supra. However, the United States Supreme Court has held that a public safety exception to the general rule applies if there are circumstances in which “concern for public safety [is] paramount to adherence to the literal language of the prophylactic rules enunciated in Miranda.” New York v. Quarles, supra at 653 .

12007–2007
Commonwealth v. Martin green
mass · 2005
2 sentences

2006In Commonwealth v. Martin, 444 Mass. 213 , 217 n.2 (2005), the Supreme Judicial Court rejected, in dicta, the application of the public safety exception to permit a warrantless search of the defendant’s home for a gun, even though the defendant, in response to questioning, told them it was in his bedroom closet.

2006Cf. Commonwealth v. Martin, 444 Mass. 213, 215 , 217 n.2 (2005).

12006–2006

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 10 (8)

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

CA 56 (1987–2026) NY 35 (1986–2026) OH 25 (1999–2023) PA 23 (1990–2025) TX 21 (1988–2021) NJ 15 (1988–2025) KS 14 (1990–2026) CT 13 (1990–2016) MA 12 (1996–2025) AZ 12 (1989–2024) MI 12 (2001–2023) IL 9 (1988–2025) OR 8 (1985–2026) CO 8 (2007–2025) NM 8 (1990–2024) KY 7 (2008–2023) WA 7 (1985–2026) DC 7 (1995–2015) VA 7 (1993–2023) IA 7 (1994–2024) NC 6 (1989–2016) ME 6 (1993–2023) WI 6 (1979–2014) MN 6 (1992–2015) OK 4 (2006–2019) MO 4 (1988–2018) FL 4 (1997–2016) WY 3 (2004–2021) WV 3 (2018–2025) MS 2 (2011–2024) DE 2 (2020–2023) NH 2 (1994–2015) UT 2 (1997–2025) IN 2 (2002–2015) SC 2 (2016–2022) GA 2 (2024–2024) MD 2 (1999–2012)

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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