Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey Reappoints Honorable Roberto Ronquillo Jr. Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court

Trial Court Chief Justice Paula M. Carey today announced the reappointment of the Honorable Roberto Ronquillo Jr. as Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court for a five-year term effective January 2, 2019, in accordance with G.L. c.211B, §5. Chief Justice Ronquillo has served on the Boston Municipal Court since 2001, and as Chief Justice of the department since his initial appointment in January 2014. Read Full Article

Federal Criminal Justice Reform Advances

After weeks of uncertainty and delay the First Step Act of 2018 is coming closer to passage by the United States Congress. In an unusual show of bipartisanship, Democrats and Republicans have worked together on a bill to reduce the length of prison sentences for nonviolent offenders and improve programs for rehabilitation and re-entry into society. Read Full Article

Social Law Hosts Forum on Marijuana Reform Co-sponsored by the Cannabis Control Commission

On December 18 over one hundred-twenty people attended a public meeting at the Social Law Library at which state and municipal officials from around the state discussed the progress of legal marijuana businesses in their communities. Read Full Article

Your Support Matters - Please Donate to the Social Law Library

John Adams’s ideal that this “may be a government of laws, and not of men” is perhaps the most moving and memorable phrase that he embedded in the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780. But Adams appreciated that a “government of laws” is a goal, not a guarantee. Indeed, he prefaced this precarious ideal with an aspirational “may” and not a definitive “shall.” Read Full Article

In the Collection - Consumer Protection

The Holiday Season is upon us when we make our lists and check them twice, pour over catalogs, scour online shopping sites, and maybe even visit a physical store to find that perfect gift. With all that shopping going on, it’s also a perfect time to highlight the Library’s collection on consumer protection. Read Full Article