plain error (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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plain error in Massachusetts

10 Massachusetts opinions name it 3 courts 1869–2024 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 (10)

CaseFollowedCited
United States v. Wiltbergergreen
scotus · 1820 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1982–1991
2 sentences

1991It is the Legislature, not the Court, which is to define a crime, and ordain its punishment.” United States v. Wiltberger, 18 U.S. (5 Wheat.) 76, 95 (1820).

1991It is the Legislature, not *659 the Court, which is to define a crime, and ordain its punishment." United States v. Wiltberger, 18 U.S. (5 Wheat.) 76, 95 (1820).

22
Smith v. K-Mart Corporationgreen
ca1 · 1999 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
1 sentence

2014Even if the plaintiff had raised the issue, there is an important distinction between a "waiver" and a "forfeiture." See Smith v. Kmart Corp., 177 F.3d 19, 25 (1st Cir. 1999) (explaining that by the "overwhelming weight of . . . authority," appellate courts are authorized to apply the plain error doctrine to remedy the consequences of egregious errors made in a closing argument though not properly preserved); Cadorna v. City and County of Denver, 245 F.R.D. 490, 495 (D.

11
Cadorna v. City of Denvergreen
cod · 2007 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014Even if the plaintiff had raised the issue, there is an important distinction between a "waiver" and a "forfeiture." See Smith v. Kmart Corp., 177 F.3d 19, 25 (1st Cir. 1999) (explaining that by the "overwhelming weight of . . . authority," appellate courts are authorized to apply the plain error doctrine to remedy the consequences of egregious errors made in a closing argument though not properly preserved); Cadorna v. City and County of Denver, 245 F.R.D. 490, 495 (D.

2014Even if the plaintiff had raised the issue, there is an important distinction between a “waiver” and a “forfeiture.” See Smith v. Kmart Corp., Ill E3d 19, 25 (1st Cir. 1999) (explaining that by the “overwhelming weight of . . . authority,” appellate courts are authorized to apply the plain error doctrine to remedy the consequences of egregious errors made in a closing argument though not properly preserved); Cadorna v. City & County of Denver, 245 F.R.D. 490, 495 (D.

11
Peterson v. Hopsongreen
mass · 1940 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006Barbosa v. Hopper Feeds, Inc., 404 Mass. 610, 622 (1989); Peterson v. Hobson, 306 Mass. 597, 600 (1940); Honrahan v. City of Boston, 53 Mass.App.Ct. 1114 (2002); and Clamp-All Corporation v. Foresta, 53 Mass.App.Ct. 795, 810 (2002). 2.

11
Clamp-All Corp. v. Forestagreen
massappct · 2002 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006Barbosa v. Hopper Feeds, Inc., 404 Mass. 610, 622 (1989); Peterson v. Hobson, 306 Mass. 597, 600 (1940); Honrahan v. City of Boston, 53 Mass.App.Ct. 1114 (2002); and Clamp-All Corporation v. Foresta, 53 Mass.App.Ct. 795, 810 (2002). 2.

11
Barbosa v. HOPPER FEEDS. INC.green
mass · 1989 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006Barbosa v. Hopper Feeds, Inc., 404 Mass. 610, 622 (1989); Peterson v. Hobson, 306 Mass. 597, 600 (1940); Honrahan v. City of Boston, 53 Mass.App.Ct. 1114 (2002); and Clamp-All Corporation v. Foresta, 53 Mass.App.Ct. 795, 810 (2002). 2.

11
Commonwealth v. Greniergreen
mass · 1993 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1993–1993
1 sentence

1993See note 11 below. [3] For example, Darcy's statement, twice made, that he would stab him if the plaintiff hit him. [4] In Commonwealth v. Grenier, 415 Mass. 680 , 686 n. 8 (1993), we accepted, under the cognate criminal procedure rule, an objection registered at a charge conference at which the judge told counsel that appellate rights were preserved. [5] That court might treat the issue, however, under a narrow plain error exception to rule 51.

11
William B. Smith v. Massachusetts Institute of Technologygreen
ca1 · 1989 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1993–1993
2 sentences

1993See Smith v. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 877 F.2d 1106, 1110 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 965 (1989).

1993See Smith v. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 877 F.2d 1106, 1110 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 965 (1989). [6] The issue is close.

11
Smith v. Massachusetts Institute of Technologygreen
scotus · 1989 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1993–1993
2 sentences

1993See Smith v. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 877 F.2d 1106, 1110 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 965 (1989).

1993See Smith v. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 877 F.2d 1106, 1110 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 965 (1989). [6] The issue is close.

11
Carzis v. Hasseygreen
massappct · 1978 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1985–1985
1 sentence

1985That error would be the result of misunderstanding or forgetting the very plain instruction given to them.” See also Carzis v. Hassey, 6 Mass. App. Ct. 13, 14-16 (1978).

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
Rotkiewicz v. Sadowsky green
mass · 2000
1 sentence

2024The Johnsons have identified numerous objectionable passages in the Lyonses' closing argument, but they have done little to explain, and have cited no cases to establish, that the resulting prejudice rises to the high level necessary to show "a manifest miscarriage of justice" (citation omitted), Michnik-Zilberman, 14 Mass. App. Ct. at 537 , or a "manifest injustice." Rotkiewicz v. Sadowsky, 431 Mass. 748 , 752 n.3 (2000).

12024–2024
Michnik-Zilberman v. Gordon's Liquor, Inc. green
massappct · 1982
1 sentence

2024The Johnsons have identified numerous objectionable passages in the Lyonses' closing argument, but they have done little to explain, and have cited no cases to establish, that the resulting prejudice rises to the high level necessary to show "a manifest miscarriage of justice" (citation omitted), Michnik-Zilberman, 14 Mass. App. Ct. at 537 , or a "manifest injustice." Rotkiewicz v. Sadowsky, 431 Mass. 748 , 752 n.3 (2000).

12024–2024
Hormel v. Helvering green
scotus · 1941
1 sentence

2024The Supreme Judicial Court has emphasized that courts may reach unpreserved claims in "exceptional cases." Albert, 388 Mass. at 494 , quoting Hormel v. Helvering, 312 U.S. 552 , 557 16 Although the Johnsons have not cited it, we note one Massachusetts decision discussing the plain error doctrine in this context.

12024–2024
Albert v. Municipal Court of the City of Boston green
mass · 1983
1 sentence

2024The Supreme Judicial Court has emphasized that courts may reach unpreserved claims in "exceptional cases." Albert, 388 Mass. at 494 , quoting Hormel v. Helvering, 312 U.S. 552 , 557 16 Although the Johnsons have not cited it, we note one Massachusetts decision discussing the plain error doctrine in this context.

12024–2024
United States v. Apple Macpro Computer Apple Ma green
ca3 · 2017
1 sentence

2019Apple MacPro Computer , 851 F.3d at 248 n.7.

12019–2019
Clements v. Treasurer of Cambridge green
mass · 1949
1 sentence

1950Whatever may have been the case under the amended § 20 of the revised charter, said § 33A, as above amended, now provides that the latter statute shall govern “Notwithstanding any contrary provision of any city charter.” Clements v. Treasurer of Cambridge, 324 Mass. 73 .

11950–1950
Minot v. Paine green
mass · 1868
1 sentence

1869The case of Minot v. Paine, 99 Mass. 101 , states a plain rule for the guidance of trustees in respect to dividends made in the usual manner.

11869–1869

Where else courts name it

OH 5287 (1834–2026) IL 5007 (1872–2026) MI 2310 (1885–2026) MO 1849 (1900–2025) NC 1245 (1879–2026) CT 1032 (1859–2026) NJ 794 (1913–2026) CO 714 (1908–2026) OR 670 (1860–2026) TN 654 (1982–2026) GA 556 (1912–2026) MS 519 (1858–2026) MN 496 (1937–2026) UT 480 (1936–2026) AL 475 (1852–2026) WY 474 (1896–2026) NE 427 (1899–2026) DC 341 (1968–2026) MT 261 (1927–2026) HI 251 (1923–2026) VT 219 (1978–2026) WV 211 (1898–2026) DE 202 (1925–2026) AK 156 (1971–2026) OK 140 (1911–2025) SD 133 (1890–2026) NM 132 (1925–2026) MD 126 (1880–2026) NH 124 (1885–2025) WI 121 (1872–2026) NV 85 (1985–2026) PA 66 (1861–2026) TX 65 (1889–2025) VI 60 (2007–2025) IA 60 (1880–2025) WA 60 (1897–2026) ND 44 (1907–2026) NY 39 (1848–2025) KS 37 (1889–2026) CA 34 (1876–2026) SC 29 (1986–2026) AR 28 (1928–2026) LA 23 (1936–2016) ID 19 (1914–2025) FL 18 (1930–2016) VA 17 (1872–2025) IN 15 (1871–2006) ME 14 (1830–2025) GU 13 (2021–2025) MA 10 (1869–2024) RI 10 (1911–2013) KY 9 (1928–2023) AZ 7 (1932–2009)

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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