To request assistance please fill out the form below. Providing your docket number and current contact information is very helpful. If you do not have your docket number, please indicate in which court you were convicted. If possible, please indicate in the Concerns/Notes section if you or the person you are requesting information on behalf of is currently incarcerated, is facing deportation or removal as a result of a Massachusetts drug case, or is serving a federal sentence or facing a federal or state charge where a Massachusetts drug case is being used as a sentencing enhancement.
Please be aware that a response may take a few weeks, depending on the number of inquiries we receive. If you would rather leave a phone message with this information, please call 1-888-999-2881.
Refunds of Fines and Fees: If your case was vacated prior to May 19, 2020, please see the notice below the inquiry form regarding the class action lawsuit. If you submit an inquiry about the class action lawsuit to us we will not respond as we cannot help you.
If your case was vacated after May 19, 2020, a form Motion for Refund After Invalidated Conviction can be found at https://www.mass.gov/doc/motion-for-refund-after-invalidated-conviction/download
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Drug Lab Case Inquiry Form
Inquiries about compensation or the class action lawsuit:
Individuals whose state conviction for a drug offense was vacated and dismissed due to the misconduct of either of the former chemists Annie Dookhan or Sonja Farak were eligible to participate in the class action lawsuit if the dismissal occurred on or prior to May 19, 2020. Such individuals were automatically included in the class action settlement, and became “members” of the class. They could not opt out of the settlement unless they filed a motion for individual relief before the court approved the settlement agreement on October 14, 2022.
Checks and an informational notice were distributed to class members in 2023. The notice stated, “the check must be cashed within one year or it will become void”. Class members were also instructed how to file claim forms for select issues (for example, regarding estate claims, class membership, refunds, etc.) and advised they had one year to do so.
The one-year period was extended for several months and now the administrators are no longer handling any claims or maintaining a hotline or website. Thus, the class members who have not received compensation or wish to inquire about the amount received can no longer receive assistance from the administrator. Since this is a civil and not a criminal matter, CPCS is unable to provide any legal advice regarding the class action settlement or any potential refunds. However, we have some suggestions.
IF YOU WERE A CLASS MEMBER BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A CHECK:
If a check was issued to you that you never received and it was never cashed, you may be able to claim it through the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property website at https://www.findmassmoney.gov/. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to do so.
IF YOU WERE A CLASS MEMBER, DID NOT RECEIVE A CHECK AND COULD NOT FIND THE FUNDS ON THE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY WEBSITE
Or,
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION AND COULD NOT FIND THE FUNDS ON THE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY WEBSITE
You may seek a refund for money paid in your vacated and dismissed case by filing an individual motion in court. These motions are available at clerk’s offices or from the mass.gov website here https://www.mass.gov/doc/motion-for-refund-after-invalidated-conviction/download. Please note the form allows you to submit documentation, including “other papers showing what [you] paid.” We strongly recommend that you describe your specific circumstances, for example, you never received notice or payment from the class action settlement, and that you have nothing listed on the Unclaimed Property website (if applicable).
IF YOUR CASE WAS VACATED AND DISMISSED AFTER MAY 19, 2020
If your case was dismissed after May 19, 2020, then you are NOT a member of the class and you should file the form motion available at https://www.mass.gov/doc/motion-for-refund-after-invalidated-conviction/download
As noted above, CPCS cannot appoint an attorney for these cases and we cannot aid you in drafting, filing, or litigating the motions. If the motion is denied and you think that was an error, we cannot appoint an attorney to appeal the denial.