defendant requests instruction (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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defendant requests instruction in Massachusetts

10 Massachusetts opinions name it 2 courts 1989–2026 1 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 (12)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Piresgreen
mass · 2009 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2013–2016
2 sentences

2016A. R 16 (a) (4), as amended, 367 Mass. 921 (1975), we decline to consider whether the omission of an eyewitness instruction in accordance with Rodriguez is a violation of the defendant’s constitutional right to a fair trial. 4 See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Watson, 455 Mass. 246, 259-260 (2009) (judge’s eyewitness instructions in accordance with Rodriguez and Commonwealth v. Pressley, 390 Mass. 617, 619 [1983], given at defendant’s request, sufficient without “cautionary” instructions); Commonwealth v. Pires, 453 Mass. 66, 72 (2009) (“when the evidence so warrants and when a defendant requests the

2013If after examining the testimony, you have a reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the identification, you must find the defendant not guilty.” Further, as we held in Commonwealth v. Pressley, 390 Mass. 617, 620 (1983), “Fairness to a defendant compels the trial judge to give an instruction on the possibility of an honest but mistaken identification when the facts permit it and when the defendant requests it.” See Commonwealth v. Pires, 453 Mass. 66, 71-72 (2009) (“better course is to include in the Rodriguez instruction the language set forth in the Pressley case,” because “[t]here is no har

22
Commonwealth v. Pressleygreen
mass · 1983 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2013–2016
2 sentences

2016A. R 16 (a) (4), as amended, 367 Mass. 921 (1975), we decline to consider whether the omission of an eyewitness instruction in accordance with Rodriguez is a violation of the defendant’s constitutional right to a fair trial. 4 See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Watson, 455 Mass. 246, 259-260 (2009) (judge’s eyewitness instructions in accordance with Rodriguez and Commonwealth v. Pressley, 390 Mass. 617, 619 [1983], given at defendant’s request, sufficient without “cautionary” instructions); Commonwealth v. Pires, 453 Mass. 66, 72 (2009) (“when the evidence so warrants and when a defendant requests the

2013If after examining the testimony, you have a reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the identification, you must find the defendant not guilty.” Further, as we held in Commonwealth v. Pressley, 390 Mass. 617, 620 (1983), “Fairness to a defendant compels the trial judge to give an instruction on the possibility of an honest but mistaken identification when the facts permit it and when the defendant requests it.” See Commonwealth v. Pires, 453 Mass. 66, 71-72 (2009) (“better course is to include in the Rodriguez instruction the language set forth in the Pressley case,” because “[t]here is no har

22
Commonwealth v. Woodwardgreen
mass · 1998 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2026–2026
1 sentence

2026See Commonwealth v. Woodward, 427 Mass. 659, 662-663 (1998).

11
Commonwealth v. Watsongreen
mass · 2009 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
1 sentence

2016A. R 16 (a) (4), as amended, 367 Mass. 921 (1975), we decline to consider whether the omission of an eyewitness instruction in accordance with Rodriguez is a violation of the defendant’s constitutional right to a fair trial. 4 See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Watson, 455 Mass. 246, 259-260 (2009) (judge’s eyewitness instructions in accordance with Rodriguez and Commonwealth v. Pressley, 390 Mass. 617, 619 [1983], given at defendant’s request, sufficient without “cautionary” instructions); Commonwealth v. Pires, 453 Mass. 66, 72 (2009) (“when the evidence so warrants and when a defendant requests the

11
Carter v. Kentuckygreen
scotus · 1981 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2015–2015
1 sentence

2015Carter v. Kentucky, 450 U.S. 288, 305 (1981).

11
Commonwealth v. Dagleygreen
mass · 2004 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006This case was tried before this court’s decision in Commonwealth v. DiGiambattista, supra at 425, 447-448 , prospectively to require such an instruction if a defendant’s unrecorded confession or statement that is the product of “custodial interrogation” or “an interrogation conducted at a place of detention” is admitted in evidence, and the defendant requests the instruction. 11 See Commonwealth v. Dagley, 442 Mass. 713, 721 (2004), cert. denied, 544 U.S. 930 (2005).

11
Commonwealth v. DiGiambattistagreen
mass · 2004 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006This case was tried before this court’s decision in Commonwealth v. DiGiambattista, supra at 425, 447-448 , prospectively to require such an instruction if a defendant’s unrecorded confession or statement that is the product of “custodial interrogation” or “an interrogation conducted at a place of detention” is admitted in evidence, and the defendant requests the instruction. 11 See Commonwealth v. Dagley, 442 Mass. 713, 721 (2004), cert. denied, 544 U.S. 930 (2005).

11
Commonwealth v. Alphasgreen
mass · 1999 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001See Commonwealth v. Smith, 49 Mass. App. Ct. 827, 829-830 (2000). “[I]f one cannot say, with fair assurance, after pondering all that happened without stripping the erroneous action from the whole, that the judgment was not substantially swayed by the error, it is impossible to conclude that substantial rights were not affected.” Commonwealth v. Alphas, 430 Mass. 8 , 13-14 n.7 (1999), quoting from Commonwealth v. Flebotte, 417 Mass. 348, 353 (1994).

11
Commonwealth v. Smithgreen
massappct · 2000 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001See Commonwealth v. Smith, 49 Mass. App. Ct. 827, 829-830 (2000). “[I]f one cannot say, with fair assurance, after pondering all that happened without stripping the erroneous action from the whole, that the judgment was not substantially swayed by the error, it is impossible to conclude that substantial rights were not affected.” Commonwealth v. Alphas, 430 Mass. 8 , 13-14 n.7 (1999), quoting from Commonwealth v. Flebotte, 417 Mass. 348, 353 (1994).

11
Commonwealth v. Flebottegreen
mass · 1994 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001See Commonwealth v. Smith, 49 Mass. App. Ct. 827, 829-830 (2000). “[I]f one cannot say, with fair assurance, after pondering all that happened without stripping the erroneous action from the whole, that the judgment was not substantially swayed by the error, it is impossible to conclude that substantial rights were not affected.” Commonwealth v. Alphas, 430 Mass. 8 , 13-14 n.7 (1999), quoting from Commonwealth v. Flebotte, 417 Mass. 348, 353 (1994).

11
Commonwealth v. Nawngreen
mass · 1985 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
1 sentence

1999Commonwealth v. Nawn, 394 Mass. 1, 6-9 (1985).

11
Rosales-Lopez v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1981 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1989–1989
2 sentences

1989See Rosales-Lopez v. United States, supra at 191 ; Commonwealth v. Sanders, supra at 639 .

1989See Rosales-Lopez v. United States, supra at 191 ; Commonwealth v. Sanders, supra at 639 .

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 (7)

CaseCitedYears
Commonwealth v. Kelsey green
mass · 2013
1 sentence

2018Where, as here, a defendant requests that the privilege be set aside on the ground that it "interferes with a fair defence," Commonwealth v. Johnson , 365 Mass. 534 , 544 (1974), he "is required to present 'some offering so that the trial judge may assess the materiality and relevancy of the disclosure to the defense, if that relevancy is not apparent from the nature of the case and the defense offered thereto.' " Bonnett , 472 Mass. at 847 , quoting from Commonwealth v. Kelsey , 464 Mass. 315 , 323 (2013).

12018–2018
Commonwealth v. Bonnett green
mass · 2015
1 sentence

2018Where, as here, a defendant requests that the privilege be set aside on the ground that it "interferes with a fair defence," Commonwealth v. Johnson , 365 Mass. 534 , 544 (1974), he "is required to present 'some offering so that the trial judge may assess the materiality and relevancy of the disclosure to the defense, if that relevancy is not apparent from the nature of the case and the defense offered thereto.' " Bonnett , 472 Mass. at 847 , quoting from Commonwealth v. Kelsey , 464 Mass. 315 , 323 (2013).

12018–2018
Commonwealth v. Johnson green
mass · 1974
1 sentence

2018Where, as here, a defendant requests that the privilege be set aside on the ground that it "interferes with a fair defence," Commonwealth v. Johnson , 365 Mass. 534 , 544 (1974), he "is required to present 'some offering so that the trial judge may assess the materiality and relevancy of the disclosure to the defense, if that relevancy is not apparent from the nature of the case and the defense offered thereto.' " Bonnett , 472 Mass. at 847 , quoting from Commonwealth v. Kelsey , 464 Mass. 315 , 323 (2013).

12018–2018
Commonwealth v. Botelho green
massappct · 2015
1 sentence

2018"When a defendant requests an instruction regarding his election not to testify, the trial judge must give an instruction that minimizes the risk that the jury will draw an adverse inference from his election." Commonwealth v. Botelho , 87 Mass. App. Ct. 846 , 848 (2015).

12018–2018
Uncapher v. Michigan green
scotus · 2005
1 sentence

2006This case was tried before this court’s decision in Commonwealth v. DiGiambattista, supra at 425, 447-448 , prospectively to require such an instruction if a defendant’s unrecorded confession or statement that is the product of “custodial interrogation” or “an interrogation conducted at a place of detention” is admitted in evidence, and the defendant requests the instruction. 11 See Commonwealth v. Dagley, 442 Mass. 713, 721 (2004), cert. denied, 544 U.S. 930 (2005).

12006–2006
Commonwealth v. Spencer green
massappct · 2000
1 sentence

2001The inquiry as to the strength of the Commonwealth’s case appears to have application both in cases where the Commonwealth has requested the missing witness instruction, see Commonwealth v. Spencer, 49 Mass. App. Ct. at 387 , as well as in cases where the defendant requests such an instruction.

12001–2001
Commonwealth v. Sanders green
mass · 1981
2 sentences

1989See Rosales-Lopez v. United States, supra at 191 ; Commonwealth v. Sanders, supra at 639 .

1989See Rosales-Lopez v. United States, supra at 191 ; Commonwealth v. Sanders, supra at 639 .

11989–1989

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 278, § 33E (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

TX 52 (1986–2024) LA 41 (1984–2025) CA 27 (1970–2026) TN 19 (1999–2024) MO 18 (1917–2025) KS 17 (1907–2024) NC 15 (1984–2025) IN 14 (1983–2025) NY 13 (2011–2024) MN 12 (2004–2019) DC 11 (1988–2024) MA 10 (1989–2026) FL 10 (1996–2005) UT 9 (1983–2020) MI 9 (1976–2025) ID 8 (1980–2017) IL 8 (1999–2024) CO 6 (2003–2025) MD 5 (1985–2019) CT 5 (1989–2020) PA 3 (1998–2009) VA 3 (1991–2008) AL 3 (1989–2016) NM 3 (1980–2019) IA 3 (1967–2018) AZ 3 (1968–2014) SC 2 (1989–2015) NE 2 (1934–2016) OK 2 (1931–1973) NH 2 (1985–2015) WY 2 (1990–2008) NJ 2 (1995–2024) AK 2 (1984–1988) OH 2 (2006–2007)

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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