In a case with implications for drunken driving arrests statewide, a district court judge has generally affirmed the reliability of breath analysis tests, but left older tests open for challenge.
A man and woman charged recently with sleeping in Ocean Park, a violation of Oak Bluffs law, came before the Dukes county district court judge Herbert E. Tucker, Jr. and were ordered to pay a $25 fine. They told Judge Tucker they needed until 1 p.m. that afternoon to pay.
At 1 p.m., the couple did not appear. They had gone home to Fairhaven.
The Hon. J. Thomas Kirkman was sworn in as first justice of the Edgartown district court Thursday in a crowded ceremony at the Edgartown courthouse. In a series of speeches, court officials welcomed the judge to his new role.
The Hon. H. Gregory Williams has had a career path that led him from herpetology to English major to 10 years as the first justice in the Edgartown district court. He retired on Friday at the age of 65.
Tom Trouble was on trial last Thursday in Edgartown district court, and it was up to a group of seventh graders from the Edgartown School to try the case. Tom’s day in court was the focus of a student mock trial, the culmination of an eight-week enrichment program that gave students exposure to the legal system.
It was a long day in Edgartown district court, and amid the serious business taking place in his courtroom, the Hon. H. Gregory Williams couldn’t help but inject an occasional quip to leaven the proceedings, if only by a little bit.
After all, he faced a 15-page list of criminal cases last Friday, which included motions, pleas, arraignments and other pretrial hearings. That didn’t include small claims cases and a trial that spilled over into this week.
