Introductory Video
Article Spotlight
Op-Ed: Tea Partiers know more than pols think
The Boston Herald, October 24, 2010
Throughout the land, howling protests swirl, decrying the impact of immigration upon our shores. People all over the country are driven by fears of the crime, pestilence and poverty that come with the influx of new migrants. As one mayor opined, "Violence and crime have greatly increased and have become a problem of momentous interest. Our jails, however capacious, will be sorely inadequate to the imperious requirements of our society."'
Already, unwelcome visitors make up around half their inhabitants.
In time, the seeds of fear give rise to a powerful political movement. The mantra of the party centers around a simple and rallying concept - no more immigration! Read more.
The Boston Herald, October 24, 2010
Throughout the land, howling protests swirl, decrying the impact of immigration upon our shores. People all over the country are driven by fears of the crime, pestilence and poverty that come with the influx of new migrants. As one mayor opined, "Violence and crime have greatly increased and have become a problem of momentous interest. Our jails, however capacious, will be sorely inadequate to the imperious requirements of our society."'
Already, unwelcome visitors make up around half their inhabitants.
In time, the seeds of fear give rise to a powerful political movement. The mantra of the party centers around a simple and rallying concept - no more immigration! Read more.
40 years of gay rights: New York’s Stonewall Rebellion
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers Journal, June 2009
Ask 100 people who Rosa Parks was and the majority will be able to answer. Ask an equal number about the Stonewall Rebellion or Inn, and few will respond. Why do so few know so little about so major an event? Even many younger gay people are relatively uninformed about the events of June 28, 1969, which launched the gay rights movement.
To place Stonewall in context, it is important to document the plight of gays at the time. Unlike today, at the end of the 1960s, homosexual sex was illegal in every state except Illinois and Connecticut. Gays were subject to being fired from their jobs, as well as being denied housing, based solely on sexual orientation. No laws served to protect them from overt discrimination. If one were discovered to be gay, he was ordinarily summarily fired or his license to practice his profession immediately revoked. There were no openly gay politicians, policemen, teachers, doctors or lawyers. No television show had any identifiable gay characters. In the movies, in the relatively rare moments when gay characters were shown, they typically were either killed or killed themselves. Gay women were so far in the background as to be nearly invisible. Read more.
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers Journal, June 2009
Ask 100 people who Rosa Parks was and the majority will be able to answer. Ask an equal number about the Stonewall Rebellion or Inn, and few will respond. Why do so few know so little about so major an event? Even many younger gay people are relatively uninformed about the events of June 28, 1969, which launched the gay rights movement.
To place Stonewall in context, it is important to document the plight of gays at the time. Unlike today, at the end of the 1960s, homosexual sex was illegal in every state except Illinois and Connecticut. Gays were subject to being fired from their jobs, as well as being denied housing, based solely on sexual orientation. No laws served to protect them from overt discrimination. If one were discovered to be gay, he was ordinarily summarily fired or his license to practice his profession immediately revoked. There were no openly gay politicians, policemen, teachers, doctors or lawyers. No television show had any identifiable gay characters. In the movies, in the relatively rare moments when gay characters were shown, they typically were either killed or killed themselves. Gay women were so far in the background as to be nearly invisible. Read more.
Other Articles
Some of the following articles are law reviews and others are opinion pieces that I wrote for various newspapers.
- "Sobriety Roadblocks", American Law Review (ALR) 5th, 74 ALR 5th 319, co-author, 1999 (full view here)
- "Closing Argument: What Can and Cannot Be Said", Massachusetts Law review, pp. 95-108, September, 1996.
- "Tips for Residents on Conquering Noise Woes", Allston/Brighton Citizen Item, co-author, 11/7/86
- "The Case Against Ordering Mandatory Testing for Drugs, "Boston Herald, op-ed, 9/7/86
- "For Court Victims, Court Can Be Real Trial", Boston Herald, op-ed, 11/3/85
- "Public Deserves Truth About Jail Sentences", Boston Herald, op-ed, 4/14/85
- "I'd Rather Be Funny", Toledo Blade Sunday Supplement, 11/30/80
Current Publications
Massachusetts Guide to Evidence, 2011 Edition, Chair, Supreme Judicial Court Advisory
Committee on Massachusetts Evidence Law, Flaschner Judicial Institute, 2010
The Guide assembles existing Massachusetts evidence law in an easy-to-use document organized similarly to the Federal Rules of Evidence, with extensive explanatory notes and citations to pertinent authorities. Everything in the Guide has been approved by the SJC as a valid statement of Massachusetts evidence law.
I have also authored the 2008-2009-2010 Edition of the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence.
Committee on Massachusetts Evidence Law, Flaschner Judicial Institute, 2010
The Guide assembles existing Massachusetts evidence law in an easy-to-use document organized similarly to the Federal Rules of Evidence, with extensive explanatory notes and citations to pertinent authorities. Everything in the Guide has been approved by the SJC as a valid statement of Massachusetts evidence law.
I have also authored the 2008-2009-2010 Edition of the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence.
2011 Massachusetts Criminal Law Sourcebook and Citator, co-author, MCLE, 2010
MCLE's Massachusetts Criminal Law Sourcebook & Citator organizes a wide body of frequently needed information into a handy single-volume resource. This popular reference saves time when preparing for trial or when looking for a quick reference. It provides easy access to the key elements of particular crimes; what the Commonwealth needs to prove to support its case; distinctions between related crimes; the lesser included offense in a given crime; available defenses; procedural requirements; key evidentiary issues; and penalties for particular crimes and sentencing options.
The book has been published annually since 1986. I currently write it along with attorneys Timothy Magurie and Helle Sachse. To order it or for more information, click here.
MCLE's Massachusetts Criminal Law Sourcebook & Citator organizes a wide body of frequently needed information into a handy single-volume resource. This popular reference saves time when preparing for trial or when looking for a quick reference. It provides easy access to the key elements of particular crimes; what the Commonwealth needs to prove to support its case; distinctions between related crimes; the lesser included offense in a given crime; available defenses; procedural requirements; key evidentiary issues; and penalties for particular crimes and sentencing options.
The book has been published annually since 1986. I currently write it along with attorneys Timothy Magurie and Helle Sachse. To order it or for more information, click here.
Past Publications
- Mental Health Law, Mass. Practice Series, Vol. 53, Thomson-West, co-author, 2007; 2008-2009 Supplement (2008)
- 2008 Massachusetts Juvenile Delinquency & Child Welfare Law, Sourcebook & Citator, MCLE, 2008, co-author
- 2007 Massachusetts Juvenile Delinquency & Child Welfare Law Sourcebook, co-author, MCLE, 2006
- The Honorable Herbert P. Wilkins Annual Appellate Year-in-Review, 2004-2005, Flaschner Judicial Institute, co-author, 2005
- 2004 Massachusetts Juvenile Delinquency & Child Welfare Law Sourcebook, co-author, MCLE, 2004
- Massachusetts Evidence from A-Z, LexisNexis , 2003
- 2002 Juvenile Law Sourcebook, co-author, MCLE, 2002
- 2001 Juvenile Law Sourcebook, MCLE, 2001
- 1999 Massachusetts Juvenile Law Sourcebook, MCLE, 1999
- Juvenile Court Benchbook, Volumes I-III, editor-in-chief/author, MCLE, 1998-99
- Stranger and Nonstranger Sexual Assault: Balancing Culture and Law, editor/author, Massachusetts Judicial Institute, 1999
- Criminal Defense Motions, Massachusetts Practice, 2nd Edition, Volume 42, co-author, West Group, 1998 (supps. 1999- 2002)
- Kids in Custody: What Happens When Juveniles Are Held, editor, MCLE, 1996
- Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Torts: Liability and Litigation, editor/author, MCLE, 1995
- Compendium of Massachusetts Criminal Law, MCLE, 3rd ed., 1995
- Compendium of Massachusetts Criminal Law, MCLE, 2nd ed., 1993
- Criminal Defense Motions, Massachusetts Practice, Volume 42, co-author, West Publishing Company, 1991 (supps. 1993, 1995, 1996)
- How to Prepare for the Law School Admission Test, co-author, McGraw Hill, 1979.
- Compendium of Massachusetts Criminal Law, MCLE, 2nd ed., 1993
- Compendium of Massachusetts Criminal Law, MCLE, 1985 (supps. 1988, 1990)
Book Chapters
- Introduction to the 1999 Massachusetts Legislation Relating to the Federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997", Juvenile Court Benchbook, Volume III, Chapter III.1. co-author, MCLE, 2000
- "Fifth Amendment Privilege Against Self-Incrimination", Juvenile Court
- Benchbook, Volume III, Chapter IV.2, MCLE, 1999
- "Media Issues", Juvenile Court Benchbook, Volumes III, Part VII, MCLE, 1999
- "Medical Issues", Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Torts: Liability and Litigation, Chapter 8, co-author, MCLE, 1994
- "Successfully Defending An OUI Case", Massachusetts Basic Practice Manual, MCLE, 1993
- "Elements of Drug Offenses", Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts, Chapter 1, MCLE, 1992
- "Operating Under the Influence: An Overview", District Court Bar Advocate Program Training Manual, MCLE, 1991
- "Operating Under the Influence", Handbook of Massachusetts Criminal Defense, Chapter 47, Butterworths, 1990; retitled Massachusetts Criminal Practice, Volume II, edited by Blumenson, Fisher and Kanstroom, Lexis Law Pub., 1998
- "Your Direct Examination", Fundamentals of District Court Practice, MCLE, 1986.
