Get the benefit of hearing dozens of tips and anecdotes from experienced judges who have spent thousands of hours in the courtroom hearing motions and cases - a unique opportunity whether you are just starting out or have several trials under your belt!Insight and tips for defense attorneys and prosecutors
Join our moderator, veteran trial attorney Eileen Morrison, and learn what this panel of District Court judges want practitioners to know about courtroom practice and trial advocacy. The panel format allows the judges to offer their insights on a variety of topics, while also hearing and responding to their colleagues. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insight into the judicial perspective and be better prepared the next time you walk into District Court!
Course Content
2:00pm - 2:05pm - Welcome and IntroductionEileen L. Morrison, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Lowell
2:05pm - 2:18pm - Pre-arraignment Diversion for Young Adults
Hon. Michelle Fentress,
Brockton District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Brockton
Hon. Marjorie P. Tynes,
Administrative Office of the District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
2:18pm - 2:31pm - Delaying Arraignments Pursuant to Carson C., 489 Mass. 54 (2022)
Hon. Marjorie P. Tynes,
Administrative Office of the District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Hon. Zachary Hillman,
District Court Region 5, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester
2:31pm - 2:44pm - Section 35
Hon. Gregory P. Teran,
Region 6 District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Northampton
Hon. Michelle Fentress,
Brockton District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Brockton
2:44pm - 2:57pm - Probable Cause Hearings
Hon. Zachary Hillman,
District Court Region 5, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester
Hon. Meghan S. Spring,
Marlborough District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Marlborough
2:57pm - 3:10pm - Nonbinding Bench Trial System as a Model of Judicial Efficiency
Hon. Meghan S. Spring,
Marlborough District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Marlborough
Hon. Michelle Fentress,
Brockton District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Brockton
3:10pm - 3:40pm - Break
3:40pm - 3:56pm - New Coercive Control Definition in G.L. c. 209A
Hon. Marjorie P. Tynes,
Administrative Office of the District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Hon. Gregory P. Teran,
Region 6 District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Northampton
3:56pm - 4:12pm - G.L. c. 123, § 15(b)/A.Z., 493 Mass. 427 (2024)
Hon. Gregory P. Teran,
Region 6 District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Northampton
Hon. Zachary Hillman,
District Court Region 5, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester
4:12pm - 4:28pm - Long Hearings
Hon. Michelle Fentress,
Brockton District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Brockton
Hon. Meghan S. Spring,
Marlborough District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Marlborough
4:28pm - 4:44pm - Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire in District Court
Hon. Zachary Hillman,
District Court Region 5, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester
Hon. Gregory P. Teran,
Region 6 District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Northampton
4:44pm - 5:00pm - Case Management: Discovery, Motions, and Trial Issues
Hon. Meghan S. Spring,
Marlborough District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Marlborough
Hon. Marjorie P. Tynes,
Administrative Office of the District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Speaker(s)
ChairEileen L. Morrison, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Lowell
Faculty
Hon. Michelle Fentress,
Brockton District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Brockton
Hon. Zachary Hillman,
District Court Region 5, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester
Hon. Meghan S. Spring,
Marlborough District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Marlborough
Hon. Gregory P. Teran,
Region 6 District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Northampton
Hon. Marjorie P. Tynes,
Administrative Office of the District Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
