Massachusetts – Criminal Law Wire

Commonwealth v. Carvalho — Driving Dump Truck with Raised Body Establishes Probable Cause for Negligent Operation Without Evidence of Erratic Driving

/ June 10, 2026

The Massachusetts Appeals Court reversed the dismissal of a negligent operation complaint against a dump truck driver who forgot to lower the truck’s raised body before driving under a highway overpass, holding that the vehicle’s dangerous condition — not erratic driving — established probable cause under G. L. c. 90, § 24 (2) (a).

Doe v. SORB — Appeals Court Holds Hearsay Challenge Moot After Subsequent Convictions, Affirms Level 3 Reclassification

The Massachusetts Appeals Court held that a sex offender’s subsequent criminal convictions rendered moot his challenge to the reliability of hearsay evidence used in his SORB reclassification from level 2 to level 3, affirming the board’s decision in a case of first impression for published classification appeals.