Articles Posted in Massachusetts Criminal Decisions

Improper Closing Argument in a Domestic Violence Trial: Commonwealth v. Pena

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has vacated a domestic violence conviction because of the prosecutor’s closing argument. In Commonwealth v. Pena, No. 24-P-0970 (Mass. App. Ct. July 24, 2026), the court set aside a Boston Municipal Court jury verdict for assault and battery on a family or household member, holding that a closing argument that vouched…

When a Traffic Stop Must End: Commonwealth v. Steward and the Limits of Prolonged Detention

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has reversed the denial of a motion to suppress in a District Court drug case, holding that a detective unlawfully prolonged a traffic stop after the justification for the stop had run out. In Commonwealth v. Steward, No. 25-P-0015 (Mass. App. Ct. July 23, 2026), the court ordered the suppression of…

The Appeals Court Vacates a 209A Order Based on Coercive Control: V.B. v. B.W.R.T.

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has issued an early decision applying the coercive control definition that the Legislature added to the abuse prevention statute in 2024. In V.B. v. B.W.R.T., No. 25-P-1086 (Mass. App. Ct. July 24, 2026), the court vacated a 209A order that a District Court judge had issued on a coercive control theory,…