The Supreme Judicial Court has recently announced amendments to
the following rules:
Rule 1 and Rule 6 of the Commission on Judicial
Conduct: On January 29, 2015, the SJC adopted amendments to Rules 1 and 6 of the Rules of the
Commission on Judicial Conduct. The amendments became effective on
March 1, 2015. The amendment to Rule 1 permits the Commission to
adopt a broader definition of the term "complainant," for purposes
of its rules. The amendments to Rule 6 reflect the replacement of
the position of Chief Justice for Administration and Management
with the position of Chief Justice of the Trial Court, pursuant to
M.G.L. c.93, sec. 137.
Mass. R. Civ. P. 45: Through amendments to Rule 45, Massachusetts adopted the practice of
a "documents only" subpoena directed to a non-party, a practice
that has existed under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure since
1991. With the adoption of a documents only subpoena as of the
effective date of April 1, 2015, there is no longer a need in
Massachusetts to use deposition practice in regard to a non-party
for the sole purpose of document production.
Mass. R. Crim. P. 12: As the title of Rule 12 suggests (Pleas and Plea Agreements),
the 2015 revision of the rule resulted in a more
carefully delineated and somewhat expanded role for plea agreements
in the process of a judge's consideration and acceptance of a
proffered guilty plea. The amendments, resulting from proposals of
the Court's
Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure,
will become effective on May 11, 2015.