On Friday, April 7, Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey will
host the opening ceremony of the Franklin County Justice Center. In
addition to Chief Justice Carey, speakers will include Lieutenant
Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg, Trial
Court Administrator Harry Spence, Commissioner of the Division of
Capital Asset Management and Maintenance Carol Gladstone,
Representative Stephen Kulik of the 1st Franklin District,
Representative Paul Mark of the 2nd Berkshire District,
Representative Susannah Whipps of the 2nd Franklin District,
Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, Franklin County
Bar Association Chair John Stobierski, and Greenfield District
Court First Justice William F. Mazanec. Franklin County Register of
Probate John F. Merrigan will deliver welcoming remarks.
The renovation of the Franklin County Justice Center began in 2014.
The new courthouse incorporates the historic 1932 façade of the
original building with a 104,000 square foot, three-story addition.
The Justice Center's six courtrooms include updated technological
capabilities to allow for hearings to be conducted by video
conference and newly installed recording equipment for court
proceedings. The courthouse will also offer WiFi for visitors. The
expanded building houses five court departments: Juvenile,
Superior, District, Housing, and Probate and Family Courts, as well
as the Law Library, Court Service Center, and Registry of
Deeds.
WHERE:
Franklin County Justice Center
43 Hope Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
WHEN:
Friday, April 7, 2017
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Proposed amendments to SJC Rule
3:12, Code of Professional Responsibility for Clerks of the
Court
The Supreme Judicial Court Rules Committee solicits comments on
proposed amendments to SJC Rule 3:12, Code of Professional
Responsibility for Clerks of the Courts. This rule defines the
norms of conduct and practice appropriate for persons serving in
the role of Clerk-Magistrate as defined in the rule. In light of
recent amendments to the Code of Judicial Conduct, the Supreme
Judicial Court requested that a working group of clerks consider
the amendments in the Judges' Code to see if similar revisions
should be incorporated in the Clerks' Code. The proposed amendments
are based on the working group's recommendations and modify
provisions in the Clerks' Code that are currently more restrictive
than those in the Code of Judicial Conduct.
A redlined version of the proposed amendments is available here. Comments should be directed to Christine
P. Burak, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, One
Pemberton Square, Boston, MA 02108, on or before October 6. Comments received will
be made available to the public.
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SJC Justice Geraldine S. Hines
retires
After 16 years on the bench, the last three as an associate
justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Hon.
Geraldine S. Hines served her last day with the court on Aug. 18, a
few months shy of her 70th birthday, the mandatory retirement age
for state judges. On May 4, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice
Ralph D. Gants made special remarks in the Seven Justice
Courtroom prior to oral arguments recognizing Justice Hines on her
last Sitting Week at the court.
On Wednesday, July 19, the Governor's Council unanimously
confirmed Appeals Court Chief Justice Scott L. Kafker to the
Supreme Judicial Court. He will fill the seat vacated by Justice
Hines.
Read the full press release here.
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Massachusetts Appeals Court seeks
Chief Staff Attorney
Applications are now being accepted for the
position of Chief Staff Attorney at the Massachusetts
Appeals Court. Applicants must apply by completing a Trial Court
online application at www.mass.gov/courts/jobs/index.html.