One of the most difficult conversations we are having in the legislature these days is about how to reduce “solitary confinement” within our prisons. We are working hard to frame legislative measures that will support and encourage the necessary changes.
Criminal Law
Homicide Ghettoside
While we want to lift people up, not lock them up, we have to preserve and even increase accountability for violence.
Crown Heights
Matt Ruskin, a Watertown native, has directed a great movie — very moving and speaking to real issues of our time.
Understanding Mandatory Minimum Sentencing for Drugs in Massachusetts
Drug dealing is a business. There are retailers — dealers who sell primarily to users — and there are wholesalers — dealers who sell primarily to lower-level dealers. Wholesale transactions are generally larger and our laws penalize larger transactions more heavily.
Expunge or Seal? Sen. Brownsberger featured in Globe after Conference Committee Compromise
Following the conference committee compromise on recreational marijuana, Sen. Brownsberger was featured in a Boston Globe article that considers how criminal records involving marijuana-related offenses should be treated.
Glossary of Massachusetts Sentencing Terms
For many years, Attorney Lee Gartenberg, has been preparing a document that defines many key terms in Massachusetts criminal sentencing law. It’s a great resource and, with his permission, I share it here.