Case Name: Michael Ross vs. Commonwealth
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1995-04-18
Citations: 420 Mass. 1001
Docket Number: 
Parties: Michael Ross vs. Commonwealth.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 420
Pages: 1001–1001

Head Matter:
Michael Ross vs. Commonwealth.
April 18, 1995.
Supreme Judicial Court,
Superintendence of inferior courts.
Steven A. Colarossi, for the plaintiff, submitted a brief.

Opinion:
Ross was arrested for violations of G. L. c. 269, § 10 (a) and 10 (h) (1992 ed.). During the discovery period, the prosecutor learned that the more serious crime, violation of G. L. c. 269, § 10 (a), was not included in the complaint. The prosecutor sought and obtained a new complaint which charged a violation of G. L. c. 269, § 10 (a). Ross seeks to dismiss the new complaint claiming that the prosecutor cannot obtain a new complaint. There is no merit to and no authority for Ross's contention that, prior to trial, the prosecutor could not seek a new complaint with a new charge. The cases relied on by Ross are inapposite. Those cases involve amending a grand jury indictment so as to charge a new crime without a return to the grand jury. That principle is inapplicable to complaints. There was no error.
Judgment affirmed.