Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts

John Adams Courthouse SJC Massachusetts

Frank M. Gaziano

Scott L. Kafker

Dalila Argaez Wendlandt

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The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Established in 1692, it is one of the oldest continuously functioning appellate courts in the United States. The court is located in Boston, Massachusetts.

History

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court was established in 1692, making it one of the oldest courts in the United States. It was originally known as the Superior Court of Judicature and was renamed the Supreme Judicial Court in 1780 when the Massachusetts Constitution was adopted.

Structure and Function

The court consists of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts with the advice and consent of the Massachusetts Governor's Council. Justices serve until the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The SJC has both appellate and original jurisdiction. It hears appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil cases and has the authority to provide advisory opinions to the Governor and the Legislature. The court also oversees the operations of the entire Massachusetts court system.

Notable Cases

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has presided over several landmark cases, including:

• Goodridge v. Department of Public Health (2003) - The court ruled that the state could not deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, making Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.
• Commonwealth v. Hunt (1842) - The court ruled that labor unions were legal and that striking was a lawful activity.

Current Justices

As of [current year], the justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court are:

• Chief Justice Name
• Associate Justice Name
• Associate Justice Name
• Associate Justice Name
• Associate Justice Name
• Associate Justice Name
• Associate Justice Name

Related Pages

• Massachusetts Court System
• Governor of Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Constitution
• Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
• Commonwealth v. Hunt

See Also

• List of state supreme courts in the United States
• Judiciary of Massachusetts
• Boston, Massachusetts