The Massachusetts Judicial Branch

Supreme Judicial Court

Amicus Announcement

SJC-10918    SJC-10923    SJC-10924


THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT IS SOLICITING AMICUS BRIEFS OR MEMORANDA FROM INTERESTED PARTIES IN THE FOLLOWING MATTER PENDING BEFORE THE COURT

ARGUMENT IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 2011
AMICUS SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE
THE FIRST DAY OF THE SITTING IN WHICH THE CASE IS SCHEDULED FOR ARGUMENT

 SJC-10918  Commonwealth v. Joseph Fico

SJC-10923  Commonwealth v. Thomas J. Mortimer IV

SJC-10924  Commonwealth v. Diane E. Porter

These three cases, paired for argument, raise important issues with respect to the determination of a defendant's indigency for the purpose of appointment of counsel.

Interested parties may file their briefs in the Office of the Clerk for the Commonwealth, John Adams Courthouse, Suite 1-400, Pemberton Square, Boston MA 02108-1724 (Telephone 617-557-1020). Parties filing amicus briefs are expected to comply with the requirements of Rules 17, 19 and 20 of Mass. Rules of Appellate Procedure. Amicus briefs, to assist the court, should focus on the ramifications of a decision and not solely on the interests of the parties filing such briefs.

  Susan Mellen, Clerk

July 15, 2011