Criminal Law

Last month the Massachusetts House and Senate voted unanimously to pass the “BRAVE Act,” a bill designed to expand access to services and benefits for veterans and their families. Although the recently enacted Criminal Justice Reform Law generally expanded diversion availability for adults and juveniles, it eliminated some diversion opportunities for veterans otherwise eligible under the VALOR Act. The BRAVE Act restores one of those opportunities, allowing veterans to be considered for veterans diversion if charged with a first offense operating under the influence (OUI).

Where criminal records are more readily available via the internet and third-party background checkers, the potential for long lasting collateral consequences is increased. The recently enacted Criminal Justice Reform law seeks to reduce the negative impact of criminal records on a person’s ability to reintegrate into society..

Medical release of prisoners who are so debilitated that they pose no public safety risk is humane and will save money.

This post summarizes collateral consequence issues in Massachusetts and the effects of the Criminal Justice Reform act of 2018 on collateral consequences.

In 2018, we enacted reforms designed to reduce incarceration — to lift people instead of locking them up and also to cut the chains that hold them down when they are trying to get back on their feet. Our reforms were also designed to improve public safety. This post collects resources on criminal justice reform in Massachusetts.

An Act relative to criminal justice reform includes a number of changes to the way our criminal justice system treats young adults and juveniles.