Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts
Required reading if you represent the accused or convicted

- Product Number: 1930280EBK
- Publication Date: 1/21/2022
- Edition: 3rd Edition 2022
- Copyright: © 2021 MCLE, Inc.
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Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts
Required reading if you represent the accused or convicted
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Pricing: $195.00; Members: $175.50; New Lawyers: $97.50

- Product Description
- Table of Contents
- Editors & Authors
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Product Description
Product Description
This practical guide to CORI law offers insight, strategic guidance, and a clear map through the CORI system in Massachusetts. An essential reference for those who represent and advocate for individuals arraigned in state court criminal cases, this handbook defines the issues and collateral consequences connected with criminal record information as it affects employment, housing, legal immigration status, the ability to adopt, professional advancement, education and licensure. It features practical steps for sealing, correcting, expunging CORI information, and gets the reader current on recent reforms that have overhauled the CORI system and impacted the rights and protections of Massachusetts residents.
Recent updates:
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Update: April 2023
Dear Subscriber:
Thank you for updating your library with the latest version of Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Law . This newly revised publication brings updated resources within your immediate reach—for fast, accurate, and practical answers to your questions regarding the handling of criminal offender records in Massachusetts. Highlights from the 2023 edition include
- information on obtaining a client's CORI online using the iCORI system;
- a discussion of evidentiary rules governing the use of sealed records;
- a 2022 law, codified at G.L. c. 276, s. 100K 1/4, providing that decriminalized marijuana offenses must be expunged within thirty days of a request and establishing a range of applicable offenses that includes not only possessory offenses but also certain offenses involving distribution;
- a review of the standards and procedures applicable under Section 100K 1/4, including the removal of discretion, the availability of a hearing, the requirement of written findings of fact, and a requirement that following an expungement the court must provide the petitioner with copies of the relevant documents and notify the clerk of the originating court, the commissioner of probation, and the commissioner of criminal justice information services;
- the procedure for sealing the records of persons who have received a pardon from the governor and approval from the Governor's Council, and the effect of sealing such records on employment, housing, and subsequent criminal proceedings;
- a pending Supreme Judicial Court appeal addressing whether trial courts may deny a request to seal the record of an offense following the defendant's acquittal;
- a discussion of recently amended statutory provisions on prearraignment diversion programs under G.L. c. 276A and G.L. c. 276B;
- Supreme Judicial Court caselaw from 2022 emphasizing the strong presumption in favor of expungement in cases eligible under G.L. c. 276, s. 100K and rejecting the court's reliance on the petitioner's other offenses or a belief that expungement would not help the petitioner as reasons to reject the petition;
- a mandamus action pending in the Supreme Judicial Court that would require the commissioner of probation to apply the juvenile sealing law to youthful offenders;
- a review of the CORI requirements applicable to employers and prospective employers;
- recent developments on the consequences of operating-under-the-influence (OUI) convictions and refusals to participate in alcohol testing, including a 2020 law requiring the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) for certain first-time offenders seeking a hardship license; and
- a 2022 memorandum from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development addressing the potential interaction between the disabilities of public housing recipients and use of their criminal records.
We trust you will find this updated version of Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Law an invaluable resource for your practice.
Very truly yours,
John M. Lawlor, Esq., Publications Attorney
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Update: April 2023
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
expand allChapter 1 expandElements of Drug Offenses
Buy ChapterHelle Sachse, Esq., Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of MassachusettsChecklist 1.1
- Elements of Drug Offenses Buy FormChapter 2 expandDefenses to Drug Offenses
Buy ChapterJoshua J. Wood, Esq., Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood LLPChecklist 2.1
- Defenses to Drug Offenses Buy FormChapter 3 expandDiscovery Practice and Pretrial Conferences
Buy ChapterJason Benzaken, Esq., Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood LLPChecklist 3.1
- Discovery Practice and Pretrial Conferences Buy FormExhibit 3A
- Motion for Funds for an Investigator and Affidavit in Support Buy FormExhibit 3B
- Motion to Release Impounded Documents to Counsel for the Defendant and Court Order Buy FormExhibit 3C
- Defendant’s Motion to Preserve Oral Communication Buy FormExhibit 3D
- Defendant’s Motion to Preserve Police Notes Buy FormExhibit 3E
- Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory—Laboratory Materials Request Policy Buy FormExhibit 3F
- Proposed Supplemental Addendum to Conference Report Buy FormExhibit 3G
- Specific Requests Regarding Bias and Motive of Witness to Lie Not Limited to Confidential Informants Buy FormExhibit 3H
- Motion for Discovery of K-9 Tracking Dog and Information and Suggestions in Support Thereof Buy FormExhibit 3I
- Motion for Discovery of Drug Analysis Buy FormExhibit 3J
- Motion for Bill of Particulars Buy FormExhibit 3K
- Department of State Police General Order INV-02, Confidential Informants Buy FormExhibit 3L
- Boston Police Rule 333: Confidential Informant Procedures Buy FormChapter 4 expandInformant Issues
Buy ChapterChecklist 4.1
- Informant Issues Buy FormExhibit 4A
- Motion for Exculpatory Evidence Involving Informant Buy FormExhibit 4B
- Affidavit in Support of Defendant’s Motion for Exculpatory Evidence Involving Informant Buy FormExhibit 4C
- Motion for Informant Information Buy FormExhibit 4D
- Motion to Produce Police Records Buy FormExhibit 4E
- Motion for Disclosure of Surveillance Information Buy FormExhibit 4F
- Supporting Memorandum of Law Regarding Disclosure of Informant Information Buy FormExhibit 4G
- Motion for Disclosure of Precise Location of Seized Evidence Buy FormChapter 5 expandChallenges to Search Warrants
Buy ChapterShira M. Diner, Esq., Boston University School of Law
J. Scott Lauer, Esq., Federal Public Defender OfficeChapter 6 expandChecklist 6.1
- Warrantless Searches Buy FormChapter 7 expandExpert Witness Issues
Buy ChapterChecklist 7.1
- Expert Witness Issues Buy FormExhibit 7A
- Defendant’s Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Exclude the Commonwealth’s Proposed Expert Testimony Buy FormExhibit 7B
- Motion in Limine to Prohibit Evidence Regarding Drug-Sniffing Dog’s Alert to Currency Buy FormExhibit 7C
- Evaluating Dog Scent Evidence: Where Do I Start? Buy FormExhibit 7D
- Department of State Police General Order TOP-05 Regarding Canines Buy FormExhibit 7E
- Defendant’s Motion in Limine to Exclude Testimony of Drug Recognition Expert Buy FormExhibit 7F
- Commonwealth’s Motion in Limine to Qualify Detective as an Expert Buy FormExhibit 7G
- Outline of Examination of Drug Chemist/Analyst Buy FormExhibit 7H
- Post–Melendez-Diaz Drug Expert Discovery Ideas Checklist Buy FormExhibit 7I
- Motion in Limine to Preclude Testimony Regarding “Presumptive Tests” Buy FormExhibit 7J
- Daubert Challenges to Experts in Federal Criminal Cases: An Overlooked Defense Buy FormChapter 8 expandExhibit 8A
- Glossary of Forensic Chemistry Terms Buy FormExhibit 8B
- NIJ Standard 0604.01: Color Test Regeants/Kits for Preliminary Identification of Drugs of Abuse Buy FormExhibit 8C
- Protocol for the Analysis of General Unknown Powders and Liquid Samples Buy FormExhibit 8D
- Protocol for the Analysis of Isobutyl Nitrite or Butyl Nitrate Samples Buy FormExhibit 8E
- Protocol for the Analysis of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Buy FormExhibit 8F
- Protocol for the Analysis of Marihuana Samples Buy FormExhibit 8G
- Protocol for the Analysis of Mushroom Matter Buy FormExhibit 8H
- Protocol for the Analysis of Residue Samples Buy FormExhibit 8I
- Protocol for the Analysis of Resinous Matter Buy FormExhibit 8J
- Protocol for the Analysis of Tablets and Capsules Buy FormExhibit 8K
- Protocol for the Testing of Multiple Sample Drug Cases Buy FormChapter 9 expandVoir Dire Issues
Buy ChapterJason Benzaken, Esq., Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood LLP
Joshua J. Wood, Esq., Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood LLPChapter 10 expandChecklist 10.1
- Evidentiary Issues Buy FormChapter 11 expandCross-Examination
Buy ChapterJason T. Green, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services
Paul R. Rudof, Esq., Strehorn, Ryan, & HooseChecklist 11.1
- Cross-Examination Buy FormChapter 12 expandJury Instructions
Buy ChapterHon. Jeremy C. Bucci, Hampden Superior Court, Commonwealth of MassachusettsChecklist 12.1
- Jury Instructions Buy FormChapter 13 expandInterlocutory Appeals
Buy ChapterKatherine E. McMahon, Esq., Hampden County District Attorney's Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Shane T. O'Sullivan, Esq., Suffolk District Attorney's Office, Commonwealth of MassachusettsChecklist 13.1
- Interlocutory Appeals Buy FormExhibit 13A
- Commonwealth’s Notice of Interlocutory Appeal Buy FormExhibit 13B
- Commonwealth’s Motion for Stay of Proceedings Buy FormExhibit 13C
- Defendant’s Petition for Interlocutory Appeal and Stay of Proceedings Buy FormExhibit 13D
- Affidavit in Support of Defendant’s Petition for Interlocutory Appeal and Stay of Proceedings Buy FormExhibit 13E
- Defendant’s Notice of Appeal Buy FormExhibit 13F
- Defendant’s Motion for Waiver of Entry Fee Buy FormExhibit 13G
- Affidavit in Support of Defendant’s Motion for Waiver of Entry Fee Buy FormExhibit 13H
- Memorandum of Law in Support of Defendant’s Petition for Interlocutory Appeal Buy FormExhibit 13I
- Supplemental Memorandum of Law in Support of Defendant’s Petition for Interlocutory Appeal Buy FormExhibit 13J
- Commonwealth’s Petition for Relief from an Order Barring the Admission of Competent Evidence at Defendant’s Probation Revocation Hearing Buy FormExhibit 13K
- Commonwealth’s Memorandum of Law in Support of Petition for Relief from an Order Barring the Admission of Competent Evidence at Defendant’s Probation Revocation Hearing Buy FormExhibit 13L
- Commonwealth’s G.L. c. 211, § 3 Petition Seeking Relief from an Order Requiring It to Disclose the Identity of a Confidential Informant Buy FormExhibit 13M
- Commonwealth’s Memorandum of Law in Support of Its G.L. c. 211, § 3 Petition Seeking Relief from an Order Requiring It to Disclose the Identity of a Confidential Informant Buy FormExhibit 13N
- Commonwealth’s Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant’s Petition for Relief Under G.L. c. 211, § 3 Buy FormExhibit 13O
- Commonwealth’s Motion for Stay of Proceedings Pursuant to Mass. R. Crim. P. 15 Buy FormExhibit 13P
- Commonwealth’s Mass. R. Crim. P. 15(a)(2) (2017) & G.L. c. 278, § 28E Application Seeking Leave to Appeal an Order Allowing the Defendant’s Motion to Suppress Buy FormExhibit 13Q
- Commonwealth’s Opposition to Defendant’s Application Pursuant to Mass. R. Crim. P. 15(a)(2) for Leave to Appeal Order Denying Motion to Suppress Buy FormChapter 14 expandChecklist 14.1
- Collateral Consequences Buy Form -
Editors & Authors
Editor(s)
Author(s)
Jason Benzaken, Esq., Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood LLP, BrocktonHon. Jeremy C. Bucci, Hampden Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SpringfieldShira M. Diner, Esq., Boston University School of Law, BostonAnne C. Goldbach, Esq., NewtonvilleVictoria Kelleher, Esq., Law Office of Victoria Kelleher, BostonJ. Scott Lauer, Esq., Federal Public Defender Office, BostonKatherine E. McMahon, Esq., Hampden County District Attorney's Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SpringfieldShane T. O'Sullivan, Esq., Suffolk District Attorney's Office, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, BostonAndrew W. Piltser Cowan, Esq., PiltserCowan Law, BostonPaul R. Rudof, Esq., Strehorn, Ryan, & Hoose, NorthamptonLuke Ryan, Esq., Strehorn, Ryan & Hoose, NorthamptonHelle Sachse, Esq., Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, BostonMolly Ryan Strehorn, Esq., Sasson, Turnbull, Ryan & Hoose, NorthamptonJoshua J. Wood, Esq., Benzaken, Maguire, Sheehan, and Wood LLP, Brockton