Appeals & Training Bureau

Appeals

Our Appeals and Training Bureau is responsible for handling all appellate matters before the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. Appellate prosecutors write legal briefs, argue post-conviction motions in the trial court and propose legislation. These lawyers also assist police officers in drafting and obtaining search warrants with a team on duty 24/7.  The Bureau is an invaluable resource to the district court and superior court attorneys regarding trial preparation and legal acumen.

There is a Victim Witness Advocate, assigned to the Bureau, who assists victims throughout the appellate process.

Training

Bureau lawyers host a variety of trainings for law enforcement officers.  To support these trainings and ensure current changes in the law, the Bureau produces an annual 300 page manual on criminal law and procedure.  This yearly document is updated, edited and published electronically and sent to Middlesex County Police Departments.

The training programs are specifically geared towards the challenges that patrol officers and detectives face in particular types of investigations, including narcotics, sexual assault, and domestic violence. These sessions feature instruction on recent court decisions regarding search and seizure, eye-witness identification, and interrogation. 

Police trainings also include presentations from our Cyber Enforcement Unit on advancing investigations through the use of cutting-edge technology.

The Bureau also has a Public Records Team.

For more information on upcoming programs, please contact our law enforcement training coordinator, ADA Melissa Johnsen.