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Links Massachusetts
Courts, Laws, Rules, Guidelines, Oversight, Research, more…
Courts
186th General Court - Massachusetts Legislature ***Massachusetts Probate and Family Court *** Public Case Info re courts/judges/attys Appeals/Supreme Court cases Massachusetts Court Structure *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 ***
Massachusetts Rules of Court http://www.massreports.com/courtrules/
Laws & guidelines
MA Official Trial Court Guidelines - Domestic Relations Massachusetts Child Custody Law http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/custody.html
Massachusetts Law - Domestic Violence http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/subject/about/domviolence.html
209A DV Restraining Order **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 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
Research Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
Lawyers, judges, gals & oversight
Massachusetts BBO Lawyer Search
Massachusetts Bar Association
Board of Bar Overseers - Massachusetts
Boston Bar Association Family Law Section
Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct
Judicial Complaints http://www.legalmomentum.org/assets/pdfs/filing.pdf Massachusetts Judicial Institute
MA GAL New Standards for Category E GALs and Evaluators The below links to the actual Standards:
MA GAL/ Category F Investigator Standards (This category may not clinically opine)
MA GAL Standards' MGL 208 §16
MA GAL Sup.Ct. Rule 1:07 as cited in standards
Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure 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
Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance
Feel Safe Again, Inc. http://www.feelsafeagain.org/ Especially http://www.feelsafeagain.org/cyberstalking.html
CyberAngels
Stalking: http://www.legalmomentum.org/assets/pdfs/stalking2005-1.pdf Stalking Resource Center: http://www.ncvc.org/src/main.aspx?dbID=DB_CivilStalkingLaws188
Divorce, A Guide for Women http://www.legalmomentum.org/assets/pdfs/divorce_final_2008.pdf
Domestic Violence & Child Custody http://www.legalmomentum.org/assets/pdfs/dv11resources-1.pdf
Links Inside/Outside Massachusetts
Especially for protective mothers
National NOW Family Law Advisory Committee
LizNotes
STALKING THROUGH THE COURTS
Alaska Moms for Custodial Justice
Battered Mothers' Custody Conference
Articles by Lundy Bancroft http://www.lundybancroft.com/articles.html
Recent Actions of Interest: Past: Massachusetts Battered Mothers Testimony Project http://www.wcwonline.org/content/view/1938/315/
Current:
International Complaint Against the United States Filed on Behalf of Abused Mothers, Children By Dianne Post ABA International Family Law Committee Article, *see page 4 http://meetings.abanet.org/webupload/commupload/IC942000/newsletterpubs/NewsletterOctober2008.pdf
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