reasons rule (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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reasons rule in Massachusetts

43 Massachusetts opinions name it 4 courts 1875–2025 3 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 (31)

CaseFollowedCited
Commonwealth v. Calderongreen
mass · 2000 · cited in 3 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2001–2010
2 sentences

2010We must “make our own [de novo] determination whether the Commonwealth’s reasons for the challenge were race-neutral.” Id.

2002By requiring the prosecutor to explain the reasons for her challenge, the judge implicitly found that the challenge might be improper. 1 See Commonwealth v. Calderon, 431 Mass. 21, 25-26 (2000), and cases cited.

13
Commonwealth v. Rodriguezgreen
mass · 2010 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025Commonwealth v. Rodriguez, 457 Mass. 461, 473 (2010).

11
Gravel v. United Statesgreen
scotus · 1972 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025See Gravel v. United States, 408 U.S. 606, 616 (1972) (Federal speech and debate clause "prohibits inquiry into things done by" member of senator's staff "which would have been legislative acts, and therefore privileged" [citation omitted]). [10] The speech or debate clause of art.

11
Commonwealth v. Pruntygreen
mass · 2012 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
1 sentence

2024See Commonwealth v. Prunty, 462 Mass. 295, 312-313 (2012) (judge's decision on ultimate question of discriminatory intent represents finding of fact).

11
Commonwealth v. Laynegreen
mass · 1982 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2020–2020
1 sentence

2020See Layne, 386 Mass. at 295-296 , and cases cited.

11
Commonwealth v. Issagreen
mass · 2013 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2016–2016
2 sentences

2016See also Commonwealth v. Issa, 466 Mass. 1 , 11 n.14 (2013) ("Where, as here, a judge fails to find a prima facie case or otherwise require the prosecutor to provide an explanation, the record on appeal includes no explanation of the prosecutor's reasons for the challenge, the defendant is not given an opportunity to reply to the explanation, and the judge does not make the required findings as to the adequacy and genuineness of the prosecutor's explanation.

2016See also Commonwealth v. Issa, 466 Mass. 1 , 11 n.14 (2013) (“Where, as here, a judge fails to find a prima facie case or otherwise require the prosecutor to provide an explanation, the record on appeal includes no explanation of the prosecutor’s reasons for the challenge, the defendant is not given an opportunity to reply to the explanation, and the judge does not make the required findings as to the adequacy and genuineness of the prosecutor’s explanation.

11
Commonwealth v. Benoitgreen
mass · 2008 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2010–2010
1 sentence

2010See Commonwealth v. Benoit, 452 Mass. 212, 223 (2008) (“Where the necessary findings by the judge are absent, as an appellate court we must consider more directly the adequacy and genuineness of the prosecutor’s stated reasons, rather than confine ourselves to a review of the judge’s findings”).

11
Leahy v. L. 1526, AM. FED. OF ST., COUNTY, & MUN. EMP.green
mass · 1987 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
1 sentence

2006See Leahy v. Local 1526, 399 Mass. at 350-51 (noting that absence of a dispute over the facts removes one of the principal reasons for the doctrine of primary jurisdiction).

11
Tibbitts v. Wisniewskigreen
massappct · 1989 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005See Parrell v. Keenan, 389 Mass. at 815 n.7 (“[t]he reason for relief set forth in Rule 60[b][l] cannot be the basis for relief under Rule 60[b][6]”); Tibbitts v. Wisniewski, 27 Mass. App. Ct. 729, 734 (1989) (“time limits on a [b][l] or [b][3] motion may not be extended by the expedient of bringing it under [b][6]”).

11
Parrell v. Keenangreen
mass · 1983 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2005–2005
1 sentence

2005See Parrell v. Keenan, 389 Mass. at 815 n.7 (“[t]he reason for relief set forth in Rule 60[b][l] cannot be the basis for relief under Rule 60[b][6]”); Tibbitts v. Wisniewski, 27 Mass. App. Ct. 729, 734 (1989) (“time limits on a [b][l] or [b][3] motion may not be extended by the expedient of bringing it under [b][6]”).

11
Commonwealth v. Burnettgreen
mass · 1994 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2002–2002
1 sentence

2002See Commonwealth v. Burnett, 36 Mass. App. Ct. 1, 5 , S.C., 418 Mass. 769 (1994).

11
Commonwealth v. Burnettgreen
massappct · 1994 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2002–2002
1 sentence

2002See Commonwealth v. Burnett, 36 Mass. App. Ct. 1, 5 , S.C., 418 Mass. 769 (1994).

11
State, Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Division v. Campbellgreen
alaska · 1997 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001See Alaska Dept. of Rev. v. Campbell, 931 P.2d 416, 420 (Alaska 1997); Goold v. Goold, 11 Conn. App. 268, 274 (1987); 24A Am.

11
Goold v. Gooldgreen
connappct · 1987 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2001–2001
1 sentence

2001See Alaska Dept. of Rev. v. Campbell, 931 P.2d 416, 420 (Alaska 1997); Goold v. Goold, 11 Conn. App. 268, 274 (1987); 24A Am.

11
State v. Applegategreen
orctapp · 1979 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1999–1999
1 sentence

1999The reasons for this rule were well stated by the Oregon Court of Appeals in State v. Applegate, 39 Or.

11
Hastings v. Commissioner of Correctiongreen
mass · 1997 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1997–1997
1 sentence

1997See also Hastings, supra at 53 . ‘Abdullah attached to his complaint a “summary/key issues” sheet from the classification board of the department on which there is a typed notation that he was “[pjroperly notified of [the] hearing.” This conclusory statement, which is not attributed to a specific individual or made under oath, fails to state specifically whether ‘Abdullah was informed of the reasons for the hearing.

11
Collins v. Collinsgreen
mass · 1938 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1994–1994
1 sentence

1994This conclusion is consistent with our cases indicating that a landowner’s duty of reasonable care “is not violated by a failure to remove a natural accumulation of snow or ice,” Sullivan v. Brookline, supra at 827 , since one of the reasons for that rule is that “in this climate ... a number of conditions might exist which within a very short time could cause the formation of ice . . . without fault of the owner and without reasonable opportunity on his part to remove it or warn against it or even to ascertain its presence.” Aylward v. McCloskey, 412 Mass. 77, 80-81 (1992), quoting Collins v.

11
Aylward v. McCloskeygreen
mass · 1992 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1994–1994
1 sentence

1994This conclusion is consistent with our cases indicating that a landowner’s duty of reasonable care “is not violated by a failure to remove a natural accumulation of snow or ice,” Sullivan v. Brookline, supra at 827 , since one of the reasons for that rule is that “in this climate ... a number of conditions might exist which within a very short time could cause the formation of ice . . . without fault of the owner and without reasonable opportunity on his part to remove it or warn against it or even to ascertain its presence.” Aylward v. McCloskey, 412 Mass. 77, 80-81 (1992), quoting Collins v.

11
Cranberry Realty & Mortgage Co. v. Ackerley Communications, Inc.green
massappct · 1983 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1989–1989
1 sentence

1989Cranberry Realty & Mortgage Co. v. Ackerley Communications, Inc., 17 Mass. App. Ct. 255, 258 (1983).

11
Goes v. Feldmangreen
massappct · 1979 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1989–1989
1 sentence

1989Goes v. Feldman, 8 Mass. App. Ct. 84, 87-89 (1979), which discusses some of the reasons for the rule.

11
Toussie v. United Statesred
scotus · 1970 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1988–1988
2 sentences

1988I dissent. 4 In Toussie v. United States, 397 U.S. 112, 114-115 (1970), Justice Black stated for the Court the reasons for such a principle: “In deciding when the statute of limitations begins to run in a given case several considerations guide our decision.

1988Super. 385 (1982) (statute of limitations is substantive and may not be applied to offenses commited prior to effective date). [1] In Toussie v. United States, 397 U.S. 112, 114-115 (1970), Justice Black stated for the Court the reasons for such a principle: "In deciding when the statute of limitations begins to run in a given case several considerations guide our decision.

11
Commonwealth v. Heskethgreen
mass · 1982 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1988–1988
1 sentence

1988We quote at length from Commonwealth v. Hesketh, 386 Mass. 153, 160-161 (1982): “As a matter of right, a defendant is entitled to reasonable cross-examination of witnesses to show bias or prejudice.

11
United States v. Blausteingreen
nysd · 1971 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1982–1982
11
United States v. Manngreen
nysd · 1968 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1982–1982
11
Cowley v. Pulsifergreen
mass · 1884 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1980–1980
11
Casella v. Sneiersongreen
mass · 1949 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1976–1976
11
Murphy v. Mart Realty of Brockton, Inc.green
mass · 1965 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1976–1976
11
Bessey v. Salemmegreen
mass · 1939 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1952–1952
11
Commonwealth v. McCangreen
mass · 1931 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1934–1934
11
Bourke v. Callanangreen
mass · 1893 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1911–1911
11
Bradley v. Fishergreen
scotus · 1872 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1884–1884
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 (32)

CaseCitedYears
Gilman v. Congregational Home Missionary Society green
mass · 1931
2 sentences

1943The reasons for this rule, apart from the natural meaning of the word, are stated in Whall v. Converse, 146 Mass. 345 , Jewett v. Jewett, 200 Mass. 310, 316 , and Gilman v. Congregational Home Missionary Society, 276 Mass. 580, 583 .

1935It is unnecessary to discuss the reasons for this rule or to cite the long line of cases in which the rule has been applied, running down to the present time (Gilman v. Congregational Home Mission ary Society, 276 Mass. 580 , Calder v. Bryant, 282 Mass. 231 ), for the appellants do not dispute the rule itself, but rest their cause upon the contention that this is one of the comparatively few cases in which the will does indicate that the testator intended that his heirs at law should be ascertained as of the date of the death of his son instead of the date, of his own death.

21935–1943
Calder v. Bryant green
mass · 1933
2 sentences

1943Later cases applying this general rule are Calder v. Bryant, 282 Mass. 231 , Old Colony Trust Co. v. Clarke, 291 Mass. 17 , and Corey v. Guarente, 303 Mass. 569 .

1935It is unnecessary to discuss the reasons for this rule or to cite the long line of cases in which the rule has been applied, running down to the present time (Gilman v. Congregational Home Mission ary Society, 276 Mass. 580 , Calder v. Bryant, 282 Mass. 231 ), for the appellants do not dispute the rule itself, but rest their cause upon the contention that this is one of the comparatively few cases in which the will does indicate that the testator intended that his heirs at law should be ascertained as of the date of the death of his son instead of the date, of his own death.

21935–1943
Zeitlin v. Zeitlin green
mass · 1909
2 sentences

1941Zeitlin v. Zeitlin, 202 Mass. 205 .

1927It was said in Renwick v. Macomber, 233 Mass. 530 , at page 534, following the decisions in Zeitlin v. Zeitlin, 202 Mass. 205 , and Boyd v. Boyd, 226 Mass. 542 , that “The suppression or concealment of material facts as distinguished from the introduction of false and fabricated testimony does not, and in principle should not, change the accepted rule of public policy that litigation should cease when parties have had a day in court.” The reasons for the rule so established are fully set forth in Zeitlin v. Zeitlin, supra, and must be regarded as the settled law in this Commonwealth.

21927–1941
Evans v. Multicon Construction Corp. green
massappct · 1978
2 sentences

2019Corp ., 6 Mass. App. Ct. 291 , 295, 375 N.E.2d 338 (1978) : "the judge should not take it upon [herself or] himself to nullify a jury's verdict by granting a new trial unless it appears on a survey of the whole case that otherwise a miscarriage of justice would result." The reasons this standard is used should be clear.

2019Corp ., 6 Mass. App. Ct. 291 , 295, 375 N.E.2d 338 (1978) : "the judge should not take it upon [herself or] himself to nullify a jury's verdict by granting a new trial unless it appears on a survey of the whole case that otherwise a miscarriage of justice would result." The reasons this standard is used should be clear.

12019–2019
Federal Election Commission v. Beaumont green
scotus · 2003
2 sentences

2018But this time, the **441 plaintiffs seek to avail themselves of a more rigorous standard of review, contending that -- although under the First Amendment, § 8 need only be "closely drawn" to advance a "sufficiently important interest," Beaumont , 539 U.S. at 162 , 123 S.Ct. 2200 -- under equal protection principles, it is subject to strict scrutiny, and therefore must be "narrowly tailored" to serve a "compelling interest." See Citizens United , 558 U.S. at 340 , 130 S.Ct. 876 .

2018But this time, the **441 plaintiffs seek to avail themselves of a more rigorous standard of review, contending that -- although under the First Amendment, § 8 need only be "closely drawn" to advance a "sufficiently important interest," Beaumont , 539 U.S. at 162 , 123 S.Ct. 2200 -- under equal protection principles, it is subject to strict scrutiny, and therefore must be "narrowly tailored" to serve a "compelling interest." See Citizens United , 558 U.S. at 340 , 130 S.Ct. 876 .

12018–2018
cluster 1741 green
·
2 sentences

2018But this time, the **441 plaintiffs seek to avail themselves of a more rigorous standard of review, contending that -- although under the First Amendment, § 8 need only be "closely drawn" to advance a "sufficiently important interest," Beaumont , 539 U.S. at 162 , 123 S.Ct. 2200 -- under equal protection principles, it is subject to strict scrutiny, and therefore must be "narrowly tailored" to serve a "compelling interest." See Citizens United , 558 U.S. at 340 , 130 S.Ct. 876 .

2018But this time, the **441 plaintiffs seek to avail themselves of a more rigorous standard of review, contending that -- although under the First Amendment, § 8 need only be "closely drawn" to advance a "sufficiently important interest," Beaumont , 539 U.S. at 162 , 123 S.Ct. 2200 -- under equal protection principles, it is subject to strict scrutiny, and therefore must be "narrowly tailored" to serve a "compelling interest." See Citizens United , 558 U.S. at 340 , 130 S.Ct. 876 .

12018–2018
Department of Youth Services v. a Juvenile green
mass · 1986
1 sentence

2014Id. at 526 .

12014–2014
Sullivan v. Town of Brookline green
mass · 1994
1 sentence

1994This conclusion is consistent with our cases indicating that a landowner’s duty of reasonable care “is not violated by a failure to remove a natural accumulation of snow or ice,” Sullivan v. Brookline, supra at 827 , since one of the reasons for that rule is that “in this climate ... a number of conditions might exist which within a very short time could cause the formation of ice . . . without fault of the owner and without reasonable opportunity on his part to remove it or warn against it or even to ascertain its presence.” Aylward v. McCloskey, 412 Mass. 77, 80-81 (1992), quoting Collins v.

11994–1994
Commonwealth v. Blondin green
mass · 1949
11980–1980
Commonwealth v. McNeil green
mass · 1952
11975–1975
Marshal House, Inc. v. Rent Control Board of Brookline green
mass · 1971
11973–1973
Carter v. Yardley & Co. green
mass · 1946
11952–1952
Galbraith v. Levin green
mass · 1948
11952–1952
Hanscom v. Malden & Melrose Gas Light Co. green
mass · 1914
11946–1946
James v. City of Newton green
mass · 1886
11944–1944
Whall v. Converse green
mass · 1888
11943–1943
Jewett v. Jewett green
mass · 1908
11943–1943
Old Colony Trust Co. v. Clarke green
mass · 1935
11943–1943
Gorey v. Guarente green
mass · 1939
11943–1943
Boyd v. Boyd neutral
· 1917
11927–1927
Wright v. Macomber green
mass · 1921
11927–1927
Renwick v. Macomber green
mass · 1919
11927–1927
Burgess v. Burgess green
mass · 1926
11927–1927
Morgan v. Smith green
mass · 1893
11909–1909
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad v. Hardy green
nj · 1896
11909–1909
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co. v. Parker neutral
mass · 1907
11908–1908
State v. Courtemarch green
wash · 1895
11907–1907
Rosenthal v. Schneider green
washterr · 1882
11903–1903
Tyler v. Old Colony Railroad green
mass · 1892
11899–1899
Alvord v. Cook green
mass · 1899
11899–1899
Curry v. Porter green
mass · 1878
11887–1887
Andrews v. Inhabitants of Boylston green
mass · 1872
11875–1875

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 10 (4) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 278, § 33E (4) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 211, § 3 (3) MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 24 (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

CA 213 (1865–2026) TX 118 (1878–2025) IL 100 (1892–2026) NY 97 (1849–2026) FL 59 (1878–2024) NJ 59 (1906–2024) IN 53 (1875–2019) WA 52 (1895–2023) OR 51 (1884–2026) PA 50 (1867–2025) AL 48 (1857–2025) CT 47 (1912–2026) LA 47 (1921–2024) GA 47 (1902–2026) MD 46 (1897–2025) MI 44 (1897–2026) MO 44 (1891–2024) MA 43 (1875–2025) VA 34 (1901–2025) TN 33 (1872–2025) IA 32 (1894–2020) WI 32 (1878–2020) KS 29 (1873–2004) NE 29 (1889–2020) MN 27 (1868–2026) OH 26 (1903–2025) AZ 21 (1922–2020) KY 21 (1889–2010) OK 21 (1893–2015) MS 21 (1935–2018) NM 19 (1930–2022) CO 17 (1898–2016) MT 17 (1922–2025) ID 15 (1928–1989) WV 15 (1913–2013) AR 15 (1892–1994) NC 13 (1903–2008) UT 13 (1907–2018) WY 13 (1916–2019) RI 12 (1894–2009) DE 11 (1942–2024) VT 11 (1919–2024) ME 11 (1822–2010) ND 11 (1903–2023) SD 9 (1895–1977) DC 8 (1978–2025) SC 8 (1884–2025) AK 7 (1980–2011) NH 6 (1871–2007) NV 5 (1872–1979) HI 3 (1910–1979)

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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