bind-over hearing (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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bind-over hearing in Massachusetts

10 Massachusetts opinions name it 3 courts 1977–2017 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 (5)

CaseFollowedCited
Myers v. Commonwealthgreen
mass · 1973 · cited in 6 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1977–2013
2 sentences

2013But in Myers , we went on to declare that the “minimum quantum of evidence required by this bind-over standard is more than that for probable cause for arrest but less than would ‘prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.’ ” Id. at 850 , quoting People v. Bieber, 100 N.Y.S.2d 821 , 823 (N.Y.C.

2003The “directed verdict” standard used in a bind-over hearing, as articulated in Myers v. Commonwealth, 363 Mass. 843, 850 (1973), is “whether there is enough credible evidence to send the case to the jury.” 5 Id.

36
Commonwealth v. Blanchettegreen
massappct · 2002 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2003–2017
2 sentences

2017Though the Commonwealth's evidence is not free from weakness, and though the defendant's counsel ably illustrated those weaknesses through cross-examination of the expert at the probable cause hearing and in argument on appeal in this court, viewed as a whole the Commonwealth's evidence "is not so incredible, insubstantial, or otherwise of such a quality that no reasonable person could rely on it to conclude that the Commonwealth had met its burden of proof." Ibid., quoting from Blanchette, 54 Mass. App. Ct. at 175 .

2003“What this unavoidably entails for the hearing judge is that she make some assessment of the credibility of the evidence that is presented when making the determination as to whether sufficient evidence has been presented to warrant further proceedings.” Commonwealth v. Blanchette, 54 Mass. App. Ct. 165, 173 (2002).

12
Commonwealth v. Brunogreen
mass · 2000 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2003–2003
1 sentence

2003In Commonwealth v. Bruno, 432 Mass. 489, 510 (2000), we noted that “[t]he § 12 (c) . . . hearing is more like [a] bind-over hearing, with its formal requirements and adversary nature” than an ex parte grand jury proceeding. 4 Consequently, we concluded that the “directed verdict” standard appropriate to a bind-over hearing was “appropriate to this type of proceeding,” not the “probable cause to arrest” standard applicable to a grand jury proceeding.

11
Commonwealth v. O'DELLgreen
mass · 1984 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2000–2000
1 sentence

2000We have held that the standard of proof in grand jury proceedings is the arrest standard, see Commonwealth v. O’Dell, 392 Mass. 445, 451 (1984), but that the directed verdict standard applies to a bind-over hearing, Myers v. Commonwealth, supra. Both proceedings are preliminary to trial, and both look to a common end: holding a defendant for trial.

11
Richmond Bros. v. City of Quincygreen
mass · 1972 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1978–1978
1 sentence

1978Commonwealth v. Stewart, 361 Mass. 857, 858 (1972).

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 (2)

CaseCitedYears
Commonwealth v. Reese green
mass · 2003
2 sentences

2017So central is the qualified examiner role that the Commonwealth cannot meet its burden at a trial on sexual dangerousness unless a qualified examiner opines that the defendant is sexually dangerous, even if another expert opines 4 assessing the credibility of expert witnesses who will not yet have access to the most important sources of information in the case at the time they are called to testify, must act with even more restraint than a judge assessing the credibility of Commonwealth witnesses in the context of a bind-over hearing." Reese, supra at 524 .

2011However, the hearing judge, “in assessing the credibility of expert witnesses," is to “act with even more restraint than a judge assessing the credibility of Commonwealth witnesses in the context of a bind-over hearing,” because expert witnesses “will not yet have access to the most important sources of information in the case at the time they are called to testify . . .” Reese, 438 Mass. at 523-24 .

22011–2017
Commonwealth v. Bougas green
massappct · 2003
1 sentence

2008In Commonwealth v. Bougas, 59 Mass.App.Ct. 368, 372 , rev. den., 440 Mass. 1109 (2003), the Appeals Court observed that “Massachusetts treats the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense that is waived if not raised.” (Citations omitted.) While this case was in the District Court, both prior to and subsequent to the bind-over hearing, the defendant actively participated in negotiations with the Commonwealth that were designed to lead to a disposition of his case that would avoid the potential for a state prison sentence.

12008–2008

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, § 38 (6) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 123A, § 12 (5) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 123A, § 1 (4) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 123A, § 13 (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

MA 10 (1977–2017) ME 3 (1983–2012) UT 3 (2000–2013) CO 2 (1975–1996)

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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