Massachusetts Case Commentaries

Summary Judgment and Burden of Proof: Insights from DIANE KOUROUVACILIS v. General Motors Corporation

Date: Jul 24, 1991

Summary Judgment and Burden of Proof: Insights from DIANE KOUROUVACILIS v. General Motors Corporation Introduction The case of DIANE KOUROUVACILIS vs. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, also involving Avis...

Fraudulent Misrepresentation in Real Estate Transactions: Zimmerman v. Kent

Date: Jul 19, 1991

Fraudulent Misrepresentation in Real Estate Transactions: Zimmerman v. Kent Introduction Case Title: Richard G. Zimmerman et al. vs. Michael J. Kent et al. Court: Appeals Court of Massachusetts,...

Enforcement of Voluntary Payment Provisions in Insurance Contracts: Augat, Inc. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company

Date: May 15, 1991

Enforcement of Voluntary Payment Provisions in Insurance Contracts: Augat, Inc. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Introduction The case of Augat, Inc., another vs. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company...

Clarifying Express Warranties in Turnkey Computer System Contracts: USM Corp. v. Arthur D. Little Systems, Inc.

Date: Nov 28, 1989

Clarifying Express Warranties in Turnkey Computer System Contracts: USM Corp. v. Arthur D. Little Systems, Inc. Introduction The appellate decision in USM Corporation vs. Arthur D. Little Systems,...

Reevaluation of Presumption of Fault and Evidence Standards in Motor Vehicle Liability Surcharges

Date: Jun 21, 1989

Reevaluation of Presumption of Fault and Evidence Standards in Motor Vehicle Liability Surcharges Introduction The case of Jean T. Merisme vs. Board of Appeals on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and...

Limitations on Prosecutorial Closing Arguments: Insights from COMMONWEALTH v. KOZEC

Date: Mar 25, 1987

Limitations on Prosecutorial Closing Arguments: Insights from COMMONWEALTH v. KOZEC Introduction COMMONWEALTH v. KOZEC is a pivotal case decided by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in...

Remand for Explicit Findings in Commonwealth v. Frank Grace: Establishing Standards for Newly Discovered Evidence

Date: Apr 16, 1986

Remand for Explicit Findings in Commonwealth v. Frank Grace: Establishing Standards for Newly Discovered Evidence Introduction Commonwealth v. Frank Grace is a landmark case adjudicated by the...

Affirmation of the Defendant's Right to Closing Arguments in Bench Trials: Commonwealth v. Miranda

Date: Apr 8, 1986

Affirmation of the Defendant's Right to Closing Arguments in Bench Trials: Commonwealth v. Miranda Introduction Commonwealth v. Myles R. Miranda is a landmark decision rendered by the Appeals Court...

Duty to Defend in Products Liability Insurance: Insights from Sterilite Corp. v. Continental Cas. Co.

Date: Dec 29, 1983

Duty to Defend in Products Liability Insurance: Insights from Sterilite Corp. v. Continental Cas. Co. Introduction The case of Sterilite Corporation vs. Continental Casualty Company (17 Mass. App....

Due Process and Informant Privilege in State Prison Disciplinary Proceedings: Casesso & Soffen v. Commissioner of Correction

Date: Nov 11, 1983

Due Process and Informant Privilege in State Prison Disciplinary Proceedings: Casesso & Soffen v. Commissioner of Correction Introduction The case of Ronald A. Cassesso and Francis Soffen v....

Defining Malice in Criminal Property Damage: An Analysis of Commonwealth v. Peruzzi

Date: Mar 11, 1983

Defining Malice in Criminal Property Damage: An Analysis of Commonwealth v. Peruzzi Introduction In the case of Commonwealth vs. Kenneth L. Peruzzi (15 Mass. App. Ct. 437), the Appeals Court of...

Clarifying the Scope of G.L.c. 93A § 11 in Business Disputes and the Adequacy of Discovery Sanctions: Levings v. Forbes Wallace

Date: Oct 25, 1979

Clarifying the Scope of G.L.c. 93A § 11 in Business Disputes and the Adequacy of Discovery Sanctions: Levings v. Forbes Wallace Introduction The case of Willard S. Levings, trustee, vs. Forbes...

Defining Standards for Directed Verdicts and Evidentiary Sufficiency in First-Degree Murder: Commonwealth v. Latimore

Date: Aug 8, 1979

Defining Standards for Directed Verdicts and Evidentiary Sufficiency in First-Degree Murder: Commonwealth v. Latimore Introduction The case of Commonwealth v. Willie R. Latimore (378 Mass. 671)...

Establishing Guidelines for Excusable Neglect in Mass.R.Civ.P. 60(b)(1): Alvan G. Berube v. McKesson Wine Spirits Company

Date: Apr 20, 1979

Establishing Guidelines for Excusable Neglect in Mass.R.Civ.P. 60(b)(1): Alvan G. Berube v. McKesson Wine Spirits Company Introduction The case of Alvan G. Berube another vs. McKesson Wine Spirits...

Clarifications on G.L.c. 93A, §11: Demand Requirements and Corporate Officer Liability in Nader v. Citron

Date: Mar 9, 1977

Clarifications on G.L.c. 93A, §11: Demand Requirements and Corporate Officer Liability in Nader v. Citron Introduction The case of Ralph Nader vs. Philip Citron, adjudicated by the Supreme Judicial...

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Without Bodily Harm: Agis v. Howard Johnson Co.

Date: Oct 2, 1976

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Without Bodily Harm: Agis v. Howard Johnson Co. Introduction The case of Debra Agis another vs. Howard Johnson Company another adjudicated by the Supreme...

Enforceability of Indorsements and Summary Judgment Standards in Community National Bank v. Bernard K. Dawes

Date: Jan 15, 1976

Enforceability of Indorsements and Summary Judgment Standards in Community National Bank v. Bernard K. Dawes Introduction Community National Bank v. Bernard K. Dawes et al., 369 Mass. 550 (1976), is...

Standard for Evaluating Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Commonwealth v. Saferian, Jr.

Date: Jul 31, 1974

Standard for Evaluating Ineffective Assistance of Counsel: Commonwealth v. Saferian, Jr. Introduction Commonwealth v. John J. Saferian, Jr., 366 Mass. 89 (1974), is a pivotal case in Massachusetts...

Admission by Silence in Identification Procedures: Commonwealth v. Freeman

Date: Jun 2, 1967

Admission by Silence in Identification Procedures: Commonwealth v. Freeman Introduction Commonwealth v. Richard Denis Freeman, 352 Mass. 556 (1967), adjudicated by the Supreme Judicial Court of...

Restricting Prosecutorial Comments on Defendant's Silence: Insights from Commonwealth v. Domanski

Date: Dec 22, 1954

Restricting Prosecutorial Comments on Defendant's Silence: Insights from Commonwealth v. Domanski Introduction Commonwealth vs. Bernard Domanski, along with four companion cases involving defendants...