Selected Mental Health Cases: CRIMINAL (Still under construction.)
The information contained on these pages is not intended to replace legal research, but is meant only as a quick reference guide. While efforts will be made to keep this list current, researchers should engage in independent legal research to assure the continuing validity of any case or comment.
The published opinions from the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court from 2001 to date and unpublished decisions of the Appeals Court pursuant to Rule 1:28 from 2008 to date are available online for free here. A limited number of decisions from the Appellate Division of the District Court can be found here. Federal cases are available through one of the commercial legal research sites or by searching either by citation or case name on Google® Scholar.
The cases on this list are linked to external cites. Please click on the case name to access the link for that case. Please email mhweb@publiccounsel.net if you find that a link does not work.
This material is arrange by topic and by date of decision.
COMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL
Massachusetts Cases
Comm. v. Vailes, 360 Mass. 522 (1971)
Comm. v. Hill, 375 Mass. 50 (1978) – But see, Comm. v. Companonio, 445 Mass. 39 (2005)
Comm. v. Crowley, 393 Mass. 393 (1984) – But see Comm. v. Chatman, 466 Mass. 327 (2013)
Comm. v. Simpson, 428 Mass. 646 (1999)
Comm. v. Companonio, 445 Mass. 39 (2005)
Comm. v. Chatman, 466 Mass. 327 (2013)
United States Supreme Court Cases
Jackson v. Indiana 406 U.S. 715 (1972)
Sell v. U.S., 539 U.S. 166 (2003)
Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164 (2008)
CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
Massachusetts Cases
Comm. v. McHoul, 352 Mass. 544 (1967)
Comm. v. Mutina, 366 Mass. 810 (1975) – But see, Comm. v. Kostka, 370 Mass. 516 (1976)
Blaisdell v. Comm., 372 Mass. 753 (1977)
Comm. v. Mattson, 377 Mass. 638 (1979)
Comm. v. Louraine, 390 Mass. 28 (1983)
Comm. v. Monico, 396 Mass. 793 (1986)
Comm. v. Federici, 427 Mass. 740 (1998) – Waiver of criminal responsibility defense.
But see, Comm. v. Cook, 438 Mass. 766 (2003)
Comm. v. Boateng, 438 Mass. 498 (2003) – But see, Comm. v. Johnston, 446 Mass. 555 (2006)
PROCEDURE, EVIDENCE, & EXPERTS
Massachusetts Cases
Comm. v. Lamb, 356 Mass. 265 (1974) – But see, Walden Behavioral Care v. K.I., 471 Mass. 150 (2015)
Blaisdell v. Comm., 372 Mass. 753 (1977) – See above (Criminal Responsibility #2)
Comm. v. Lockley, 381 Mass. 156 (1980)
But see Comm. v. Bolduc, 383 Mass. 744 (1981)
Comm. v. Louraine, 390 Mass. 28 (1983) – See above (Criminal Responsibility #3)
DYS v. A Juvenile, 398 Mass. 516 (1986) – See also, Comm. v. Tucker, 23 Mass. App. Ct. 391 (1987)
Comm. v. Dotson, 402 Mass. 185 (1988)
Comm. v. Delverde, 401 Mass. 447 (1988)
Comm. v. Lanigan, 419 Mass. 15 (1994)
Comm. v. Trapp, 423 Mass. 356 (1996) (abrogated in part by Comm. v. SliechBrodeur) –
Comm. v. Baldwin, 426 Mass. 105 (1997) – See also, SliechBrodeur, 457 Mass. 300 (2010)
Comm. v. Lo, 428 Mass. 45 (1998)
Comm. v. SliechBrodeur, 457 Mass. 300 (2010)