The Supreme Judicial Court and its Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Evidence Law today announce the release of the Massachusetts Guide to Evidence. The Supreme Judicial Court recommends the use of this Guide.

          The Guide is now available on the Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court and Trial Court websites at http://www.mass.gov/courts/sjc/guide-to-evidence addition, the Advisory Committee’s official printed edition of the 375-page Massachusetts Guide to Evidence will be available next month for purchase at $69 per volume from the Flaschner Judicial Institute, which is providing a complimentary copy to every judge in the Commonwealth.

          The Massachusetts Guide to Evidence assembles existing Massachusetts evidence law in an easy-to-use document organized similarly to the Federal Rules of Evidence. The Guide includes extensive explanatory notes and citations to pertinent authorities.

          “This new Guide will make the law of evidence more accessible and understandable to the bench, bar and the public,” said Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall.

          “I commend Appeals Court Judge Marc Kantrowitz, the Chair of the Advisory Committee and editor-in-chief, for his superb leadership, Superior Court Judges Peter Agnes and David Lowy, who served as editors, and Appeals Court Assistant Clerk Joseph Stanton, who served as reporter. The Advisory Committee spent an extraordinary amount of time and energy on this most important endeavor to advance the delivery of justice in Massachusetts,” said Chief Justice Marshall.

          Two years ago, the Supreme Judicial Court established a 17-member Advisory Committee to prepare a Massachusetts Guide to Evidence at the request of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys.

          The Supreme Judicial Court has also appointed the Executive Committee of the Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Evidence law. This committee will monitor and incorporate future legal developments so that the Guide may be updated on a regular basis. Judge Kantrowitz will chair this Executive Committee.