reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 211b § 20 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211b - Trial Court of the Commonwealth|Section 20 - Leave of Absence; Restrictions

Section 20. A chief justice of the trial court may, subject to the approval of the chief justice of the trial court, grant a leave of absence for study, research, teaching, or such other reason as said chief justice deems appropriate to the improved administration of justice, to a judge of said department, said leave to be for a period not to exceed one year. Any judge who takes an approved leave of absence shall not receive pay during the period of the leave of absence; provided, however, that time spent on leave of absence shall be credited to the judge for retirement purposes; provided, further, that for the purposes of eligibility for life insurance and health plans available under chapter thirty-two A, said judge shall be considered an active employee. The chief justice for administration and management, in approving such leaves, shall consider the speedy dispatch of judicial business, including reassignment of judges pursuant to section nine. The chief justice of the trial court, in consultation with the chief justices of the departments of the trial court, shall establish and promulgate standards governing the approval of such leaves including procedures for the submission and disposition of requests for leave.  No leave of absence under this section shall be granted prior to the seventh year of service or within one year of retirement. A judge granted a leave of absence under this section shall not be eligible to take another leave of absence until the expiration of seven years following his return to judicial duties.  All statutory requirements and rules of court pertaining to judges shall continue to be applicable to a judge while he is on leave of absence pursuant to this section.
MA Gen L ch 211b § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211b - Trial Court of the Commonwealth|Section 21 - Publication of Notice in Newspaper; Notice Requirements Deemed Met

Section 21. Whenever a department established under this chapter is required to publish a notice in a newspaper by any general or special law, order, rule or judgment of any court, that department shall be deemed as having met all notice requirements by publishing in a newspaper which by its title page purports to be printed or published in such town, city or county, or having a circulation therein. For purposes of this section, the definition of newspaper shall include legal newspapers.
MA Gen L ch 211b § 22 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211b - Trial Court of the Commonwealth|Section 22 - Delivery of Criminal Case Disposition Information to Department of State Police

Section 22. For the purposes of updating the criminal history record, the trial court shall electronically send to the department of state police all criminal case disposition information for the offender, including sealing and expungement orders and dismissals, together with the corresponding offense-based tracking number and fingerprint-based state identification number, to the extent that the offender has been assigned such numbers and the numbers have been provided to the court.
MA Gen L ch 211c § 1 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211c - Commission on Judicial Conduct|Section 1 - Establishment; Membership; Expenses; Term; Chairman

Section 1. There shall be a commission on judicial conduct consisting of nine members. Three judges shall be appointed by the justices of the supreme judicial court, none of whom shall be justices of said court and no two of whom shall be from the same department of the trial court. Three members of the bar shall be appointed by the chief justice of the trial court, none of whom shall be judges. Three members shall be appointed by the governor, none of whom shall be members of the bar. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for all expenses reasonably incurred by them in the performance of their duties. Members of the commission shall serve for six year terms. Commission membership shall terminate if a member ceases to be qualified for the appointment. A vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority for the remainder of the term. Upon the expiration of the term of office of a member, his successor shall be appointed in the manner aforesaid. No person shall succeed himself as a member of the commission except when his membership is due to an appointment to fill a vacancy for the remainder of an unexpired term. One or more alternate members, as necessary, shall be selected in the manner prescribed for initial appointments in each representative class, and shall serve at the call of the chairman to take the place of those who are disqualified from participating in a commission proceeding pursuant to commission rules.
MA Gen L ch 211c § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211c - Commission on Judicial Conduct|Section 4 - Annual Report

Section 4. The commission shall submit annually to the general court and the supreme judicial court a report of its activities together with recommendations. This report shall be a matter of public record and shall be printed as a public document.
MA Gen L ch 211c § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211c - Commission on Judicial Conduct|Section 6 - Confidentiality

Section 6. (1) Except as provided in this section, all proceedings of the commission shall be confidential until there has been a determination of sufficient cause and formal charges have been filed with the supreme judicial court. The commission shall ensure that a procedure applicable to commission members, counsel and staff is established for enforcing confidentiality.  (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1), the judge may waive his right to confidentiality prior to a finding of sufficient cause. In addition, in any case in which the subject matter becomes public, through independent sources or through a waiver of confidentiality by the judge, the commission may issue such statements as it deems appropriate in order to confirm the pendency of the investigation, to clarify the procedural aspects of the disciplinary proceedings, to explain the right of the judge to a fair hearing without prejudgment, or to state that the judge denies the allegations.  (3) If the inquiry was initiated as a result of notoriety or because of conduct that is a matter of public record, and is subsequently terminated because there is insufficient cause to proceed, information concerning the insufficiency of cause to proceed may be released by the commission.  (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, proceedings pursuant to this chapter may remain confidential, even after a finding of sufficient cause, if the judge, the commission, and the complainant, if any, all concur.  (5) If any federal agency, the judicial nominating council, or any like agency for screening candidates for judicial appointment which succeeds the judicial nominating council, seeks information or written materials from the commission concerning a judge, in connection with his selection or appointment as a judge, information may be divulged in accordance with procedures prescribed by commission rule, including reasonable notice to the judge affected, unless the judge signs a waiver of the right to such notice. If, in connection with the assignment of a retired judge to judicial duties, the chief justice of the supreme judicial court or the appeals court or the chief justice of the trial court seeks information or written materials from the commission about the judge, information may be divulged in accordance with procedures prescribed by commission rule, including reasonable notice to the judge affected, unless the judge signs a waiver of the right to such notice.
MA Gen L ch 211c § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211c - Commission on Judicial Conduct|Section 8 - Informal Adjustment; Sanctions

Section 8. (1) With the agreement of the judge, the commission may by informal adjustment dispose of a complaint at any stage of the proceedings by:  (a) informing or admonishing the judge that his conduct is or may be cause for discipline;  (b) directing professional counseling and assistance for the judge;  (c) imposing conditions on the judge's conduct; or  (d) persuading a judge to retire voluntarily.  (2) The commission may dismiss a sworn complaint, a statement of allegations or a formal statement of charges as unjustified or unfounded at any stage during the proceedings.  (3) The commission may issue a private reprimand with the consent of the judge.  (4) The commission may recommend to the supreme judicial court one or more of the following sanctions:  (a) removal;  (b) retirement;  (c) imposition of discipline as an attorney;  (d) imposition of limitations or conditions on the performance of judicial duties;  (e) public or private reprimand or censure;  (f) imposition of a fine;  (g) assessment of costs and expenses;  (h) imposition of any other sanction which is reasonable and lawful.
MA Gen L ch 211c § 9 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211c - Commission on Judicial Conduct|Section 9 - Charges Against Supreme Judicial Court Member

Section 9. The chief justice and the six most senior justices of the appeals court other than the chief justice shall serve in the place of the supreme judicial court when charges are brought against a member of the supreme judicial court.
MA Gen L ch 211c § 10 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211c - Commission on Judicial Conduct|Section 10 - Physical or Mental Disabilities

Section 10. (1) The commission shall have authority to receive information, investigate, conduct hearings, and make recommendations to the court relating to mental or physical disability affecting a judge's performance.  (2) In carrying out its responsibilities regarding physical or mental disabilities, the commission shall follow the same procedures that it employs with respect to discipline for misconduct.  (3) If the judge in a matter relating to physical or mental disability is not represented by counsel, the commission shall appoint an attorney to represent him at public expense.  (4) If a complaint involves the physical or mental condition of the judge, a denial of the alleged condition shall constitute a waiver of medical privilege and the judge shall be required to produce his medical records.  (5) If medical privilege is waived, the judge shall be deemed to have consented to a physical or mental examination by a qualified medical practitioner designated by the commission. The report of the medical practitioner shall be furnished to the commission and the judge.
MA Gen L ch 211c § 11 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211c - Commission on Judicial Conduct|Section 11 - Advisory Committee

Section 11. The supreme judicial court may establish an advisory committee on the code of judicial conduct, which may render advisory opinions to judges at their request or on its own motion.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 2 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 2 - Indigency; Definition, Standards and Procedures for Determination

Section 2. The committee for public counsel services shall establish a definition of ''indigency'' for the purposes of this chapter and uniform standards and procedures for the determination by the courts of the commonwealth that: (1) a person is indigent and is unable to obtain counsel or (2) a person is indigent, but has the ability to pay a reduced fee for the appointment of counsel. The definition and standards, and any amendments thereto, shall be subject to the approval of the supreme judicial court and shall be used by the courts of the commonwealth in determining assignment of cases to the committee pursuant to section 5. In the formulation of the definition, standards and procedures, the committee shall utilize: (1) the reporting system operated by the commissioner of transitional assistance for the purpose of verifying financial eligibility of participants in state or federally funded programs; (2) the accessibility of income data available from the department of revenue; and (3) verifying material assets through the registry of motor vehicles.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 2b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 2b - Appointment of Counsel for Criminal Defendant Charged With Misdemeanor or Municipal Ordinance or Bylaw Violation

Section 2B. A person charged with a misdemeanor or a violation of a municipal ordinance or bylaw, on motion of the commonwealth, the person or on the court's own motion, shall not be appointed counsel if the judge, at arraignment, informs such person on the record that, if the person is convicted of such offense, the person's sentence shall not include any period of incarceration. For good cause, that judge or another judge of the same court may later revoke such determination on the record and appoint counsel, and on the request such counsel shall be entitled to a continuance to conduct any necessary discovery and to prepare adequately for trial. Any such determination or revocation by a judge shall be endorsed upon the docket of the case.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 3 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 3 - Accepting of Gifts, Grants or Contributions; Contracts

Section 3. Said committee may accept gifts, grants or contributions from any source, whether public or private, and may enter into contracts to provide or receive services with any federal, state, county or municipal entity, with any group or individual, whether profit or nonprofit, or with any nonprofit or voluntary charitable group, corporation, association or organization, including any bar association or bar advocate group.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 4 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 4 - Rules and Regulations; Annual Report; Training; Rotating Appointment Mechanism

Section 4. Said committee shall adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the conduct of its affairs and may from time to time amend or revise the same. The committee shall prepare an annual report which shall be a public document. The committee shall establish standards and guidelines for the training, qualification and removal of counsel in the public and private counsel divisions who accept its appointments, and shall provide pre-service and in-service training for both private counsel who accept assignments and salaried public counsel. The committee may establish a rotating appointment mechanism that will encourage open access among attorneys participating within the private counsel division.  The committee, in consultation with the bureau of substance addiction services within the department of public health, shall provide substance abuse training to attorneys that helps attorneys identify substance abuse treatment resources for persons charged with or convicted of a crime or adjudicated delinquent who could benefit from those resources.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 5 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 5 - Appointment or Assignment of Counsel

Section 5. Said committee shall establish, supervise and maintain a system for the appointment or assignment of counsel at any stage of a proceeding, either criminal or noncriminal in nature, provided, however, that the laws of the commonwealth or the rules of the supreme judicial court require that a person in such proceeding be represented by counsel; and, provided further, that such person is unable to obtain counsel by reason of his indigency. The committee may also establish a system for the provision of counsel in any pre-arraignment procedure. A justice or associate justice shall assign a case to the committee, as hereafter provided, after receiving from the probation officer a written report containing the probation officer's opinion as to the defendant's ability to pay for counsel, based on the standards and procedures provided for in section two.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 6 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 6 - Public Defender and Private Counsel Divisions; Duties

Section 6. (a) In carrying out its duties as prescribed in section 5, the committee shall utilize its staff of attorneys, which shall be known hereafter as the public defender division. The division shall include a unit to be known as the Roxbury defenders unit, which shall represent clients as assigned pursuant to this chapter in the Roxbury division of the district court department. The public defender division shall be assigned to represent indigent defendants in all criminal cases, except that: (i) the public defender division shall not be assigned to represent more than 1 defendant in any matter before any court on the same case or arising out of the same incident; (ii) the public defender division shall not be assigned to represent a defendant in any case in which there is a conflict of interest with any of its clients; (iii) notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the public defender division shall be assigned in any civil or criminal matter described in subsection (b) if the chief counsel determines in writing that insufficient numbers of qualified attorneys are available for assignment by the private counsel division.  (b) In carrying out its duties as prescribed in section 5, the committee shall establish, supervise and maintain a system for the appointment of private counsel, hereafter called the private counsel division, which shall include a children and family law program and a mental health unit. The committee shall enter into contractual agreements with any state, county or local bar association or voluntary charitable group, corporation or association, including bar advocate groups, for the purpose of providing such counsel. The committee may also contract with such other organized groups of attorneys as may be formed to afford representation to indigent defendants and may appoint and compensate private attorneys, on a case-by-case basis, as counsel for indigents entitled to representation. No individual, member or participant in a group, corporation or association with whom the committee may contract under this paragraph shall be considered to be or have any rights as a state employee.  The private counsel division shall be assigned for all persons accused of crimes entitled to counsel who, through their inability to pay for counsel, shall have counsel appointed to them, but who, pursuant to subsection (a) shall not be represented by the public counsel division.  The private counsel division shall also be assigned to represent persons in such other proceedings as the chief counsel shall determine to be necessary.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 6a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 6a - Establishment of Children and Family Law Program; Utilization of Certified Private Counsel

Section 6A. In carrying out its duties as prescribed in sections 5 and 6, the committee shall establish a children and family law program which shall, upon the court's appointment, provide representation to indigent persons in children and family law cases. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the system as established in sections 5 and 6, whereby the court appoints certified private counsel to represent children and parents in the majority of children and family law cases.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 6b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 6b - Payment of Counsel

Section 6B. Not more than 1 counsel assigned or appointed under section 5, 6 or 6A shall be paid for representation of a party in civil proceedings pending in any trial court under paragraph C of section 23, section 24 or 29B or sections 39E to 39I, inclusive, of chapter 119 or section 3 of chapter 210. The chief counsel of the committee for public counsel services may permit an exception to this provision in extraordinary circumstances, such as the pendency of separate actions in distant counties on behalf of a client.
MA Gen L ch 211d § 8 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases|Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers|Chapter 211d - Committee for Public Counsel Services|Section 8 - Assignment of Case of Indigent Accused of Murder

Section 8. Upon a determination by a court that a person accused of murder in the first or second degree is indigent, the chief counsel or his designee may assign the case to either the public defender division or the private counsel division, subject to the approval of the justice making the determination of indigency.