Links for Mass. Moms

Links

Massachusetts

Courts, Laws, Rules, Guidelines, Oversight, Research, more…

Courts

186th General Court - Massachusetts Legislature
Our all- inclusive legislative site. Our constitution here

http://www.mass.gov/legis/

***Massachusetts Probate and Family Court ***
Official Administrative Site - Scroll all the way down to find direct link to your court: http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/probateandfamilycourt/index.html

Massachusetts Appeals Court

Public Case Info re courts/judges/attys Appeals/Supreme Court cases
http://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/

Massachusetts Court Structure
Quick View - Court Department Org Chart
http://www.ncsconline.org/D_Research/Ct_Struct/state_inc.asp?STATE=MA*

*The above chart “quick view” is not comprehensive, and offered only for general picture of MA structure. MPMCJ cautions in particular, the chart’s misleading listing of “domestic violence” only in the probate and family courts. Domestic Violence, and Child Abuse, Stalking, Sexual Abuse, Rape are CRIMES our Massachusetts district courts not only prosecute, but issue criminal protection orders against . More regarding our law about protection from abuse is below. MPMCJ encourages all pro se protective mothers to seek consult with attorneys and knowledgeable domestic violence professionals, in bringing or answering matters of abuse of women and children before any court of law.

THIS is our MA law regarding domestic violence restraining order venue:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/209a-2.htm

And THIS is our law regarding 209A & Probate Courts :

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/209a-3.htm

(excerpt, from bottom)

If there is a prior or pending custody support order from the probate and family court department of the trial court, an order issued in the superior, district or Boston municipal court departments of the trial court pursuant to this chapter may include any relief available pursuant to this chapter except orders for custody or support.

If the parties to a proceeding under this chapter are parties in a subsequent proceeding in the probate and family court department for divorce, annulment, paternity, custody or support, guardianship or separate support, any custody or support order or judgment issued in the subsequent proceeding shall supersede any prior custody or support order under this chapter.

More on 209A, below under laws and guidelines. MPMCJ offers this important excerpt from commentary here:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/formsandguidelines/domestic/dvc1.html

1:01 COMMENTARY

The protective purpose of proceedings under c. 209A can be jeopardized if the court attempts to resolve any perceived underlying conflict or problem in the relationship between the parties. While it might seem desirable for the court to play what it believes to be a helpful and constructive role, this is not the purpose of the proceedings. The plaintiff has a right to invoke the court's protective authority against abuse. More important, any attempt to explore the nature of the underlying relationship between the parties can inappropriately shift the focus of the proceedings away from the issue of protection. Such a shift of focus can weaken the plaintiff's resolve to seek protection and, if a defendant is a batterer, provide a context for a defendant's denial, domination and control. If the plaintiff desires counseling, it is available from professionals who are trained to provide it. The issues for the court before which a plaintiff brings a c. 209A complaint are limited in scope: is protection under the law warranted and, if so, what form should that protection take?

***Massachusetts’ NEW LAW, 258E, implementing Harassment Protection Orders took effect March 11, 2010 ***

(See link for MA law re domestic violence, below

& see next page for full text of new law & its related links)

RULES

***Massachusetts Rules of Domestic Relations Procedure ***
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/source/mass/rules/dom/index.html

Massachusetts Rules of Court
Civil, Criminal, Appellate, Supreme Ct. Rules

http://www.massreports.com/courtrules/

Laws & guidelines

MA Official Trial Court Guidelines - Domestic Relations
MA Child Support Guidelines, DV Guidelines, etc.
http://www.mass.gov/courts/formsandguidelines/index.html

Massachusetts Child Custody Law

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/custody.html

Massachusetts Law - Domestic Violence
Comprehensive MA site. The law, guidelines, cases, forms other sources & orgs

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/domviolence.html

209A DV Restraining Order
Comprehensive MA site. The law, guidelines, cases, forms other sources & orgs

**Massmoms recommends reading commentaries and “defending against/appealing” for further information.

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/domviolence.html

A Guide to How Probate and Family Courts Handle Cases Involving

Domestic Violence

Community Legal Services and Counseling Center

http://clsacc.org/files/dvguide2005.pdf

Child Sexual Abuse

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/childsexabuse.html

Guide and summary prepared by the Massachusetts Law Library, including case decisions

Civil Child Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations

http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/childsexabuse.html

Statutes, Case Law, Web & Print Sources

Stalking – MGL c. 265 §43

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/265-43.htm

General Laws of Massachusetts
Official, searchable site
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/mgllink.htm

Research

Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
Comprehensive Resource
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/libraries/index.html

Lawyers, judges, gals & oversight

Massachusetts BBO Lawyer Search
Find Your Attorney Here
http://massbbo.org/bbolookup.php

Massachusetts Bar Association
Official Site
http://www.massbar.org/?PHPSESSID=93bf6bc5210770fcfc115719

Board of Bar Overseers - Massachusetts
Official Website - atty discipline, news, etc
http://www.mass.gov/obcbbo/highlit.htm#rules_4

Boston Bar Association Family Law Section
http://www.bostonbar.org/sc/fl/index.htm

Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct
Official Website - See press releases, complaint guidelines, code of conduct, more
http://www.mass.gov/cjc/press_releases.htm

Judicial Complaints

http://www.legalmomentum.org/assets/pdfs/filing.pdf

Massachusetts Judicial Institute
Check out Guidelines re Self-Represented Litigants, more...
http://www.mass.gov/courts/admin/judicialinstitute.html

MA GAL New Standards for Category E GALs and Evaluators
(implemented 1/08) ****(This category can give clinical opinion)

The below links to the actual Standards:
http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/probateandfamilycourt/documents/categoryestandardsfinal.pdf

MA GAL/ Category F Investigator Standards

(This category may not clinically opine)
http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/probateandfamilycourt/galstandards012405.pdf

MA GAL Standards' MGL 208 §16
“Investigation of Divorce Case”
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/208-16.htm

MA GAL Sup.Ct. Rule 1:07 as cited in standards
Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:07 as cited in MA GAL Standards – this rule regards fee-generating appointments
http://www.massreports.com/courtrules/sjcrules.htm#1:07

Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure
find your GAL/mhp/check a license here:

http://license.reg.state.ma.us/public/licque.asp?uery=personal&color=blue&board=

Parenting Coordinators — See Next Page

Advocacy, safety

Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Jane Doe, Inc.
http://www.janedoe.org Especially http://www.janedoe.org/safety.htm

Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
Is there a Safeplan Advocate in your court? A civilian advocate in your community? http://www.mass.gov/mova/index.html

Feel Safe Again, Inc. http://www.feelsafeagain.org/ Especially

http://www.feelsafeagain.org/cyberstalking.html

CyberAngels

http://www.cyberangels.org/

Stalking: http://www.legalmomentum.org/assets/pdfs/stalking2005-1.pdf

Stalking Resource Center: