Significant Recent Cases

Attorney Crouch has handled a number of complex cases before federal and state courts of appeal in Massachusetts. In 2008, he successfully argued two criminal cases before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, resulting in the reversal of his clients' convictions. As a result of his appellate successes, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recently selected Attorney Crouch as one of twenty-five "Up and Coming Lawyers" in the Commonwealth. He is a member of the criminal appellate, civil commitment, and Sex Offender Registry, and district court panels of the Committee of Public Counsel Services. He was also appointed by the First Circuit Court of Appeals to be a member of the Criminal Justice Act panel, where he receives appointments in federal appellate criminal matters. He is a member of Suffolk Lawyers for Justice and Middlesex Defense Attorneys. Attorney Crouch has spoken to groups of attorneys around the Commonwealth on issues related to criminal law and sex offender classification and frequently consults with and advises other attorneys representing individuals in these areas.

Commonwealth v. Rosado, 450 Mass. 657 (2008) (reversing the defendant's conviction for failing to register as a sex offender on grounds of insufficiency of evidence and because homeless defendant complied with all registration requirements).

In Rosado, the defendant was found guilty after a jury-waived trial of violating the registration provision for sex offenders. See G. L. c. 6, § 178H (a). On appeal the defendant, who was homeless, raised a number of claims including that the judge erred in denying his motion for a required finding of not guilty because there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction. The Supreme Judicial Court transferred the case from the Appeals Court on its own motion. As the SJC concluded that the defendant complied with his statutory obligation to register pursuant to G. L. c. 6, § 178F 1/2, and the instructions promulgated by the Sex Offender Registry Board, the Court reversed the defendant's conviction. The Court further ordered the SORB to revise its registration form to better protect the rights and interest of homeless sex offenders. Judgment reversed and the conviction set aside.

Commonwealth v. Knowles, 451 Mass. 91 (2008) (reversing defendant's convictions where police officers exceeded their authority in searching the defendant and his vehicle absent probable cause to believe he had committed a crime).

In Knowles, a police officer on patrol received a dispatch about a man swinging a baseball bat. The officer observed defendant at the specified location, he fit the description, and he was leaning into a car trunk. The officer observed defendant throw something into the trunk. Defendant complied with the officer's command to approach, and an inspection of the trunk revealed various drugs. The defendant was arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses, and he sought suppression of the drugs. After the trial court denied suppression, he was convicted of multiple drug charges at trial and on review, the Appeals Court affirmed the convictions and the denial of suppression. The Supreme Judicial Court allowed the defendant's application for appellate review. After initially upholding the defendant's convictions after a 3-3 split of the justices, Attorney Crouch petitioned for a rehearing, which was allowed. After the rehearing, a unanimous Supreme Judicial Court held that there was an insufficient basis to support the seizure as an investigative stop, under the community caretaking function, for emergencies, out of concern for the officer's safety, or under the plain view doctrine. The Court held that the defendant's rights under the Fourth Amendment and article Fourteen were violated suppression should have been granted. Judgment reversed and the convictions set aside.

Commonwealth v. Williams, 65 Mass.App.Ct. 9 (2006) (reversing the defendant's convictions for assault and battery after determining that the trial court violated his rights under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution).

Two police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a fight between a male and a female in an apartment. As the officers entered the first floor hallway, defendant approached them and stated that "nothing was going on" and that he had broken a glass door. Defendant had blood on his clothing and a bump on his head. He also had cuts and scratches (some of which were bleeding) on his head, arms, and face. The officers talked to defendant for a few minutes and then one of them went upstairs to talk to the victim. After defendant was placed into the custody of other police officers, the two officers returned to the victim and had her repeat her version of the events. When the victim failed to appear at trial, the trial court allowed the officers to testify about her statements to them. The Appeals Court determined that the focus of the officers' questions was the investigation of the crime, not the securing of necessary emergency medical care. As the victim's statements were elicited by police interrogation, they were per se testimonial. Consequently, without the opportunity for cross-examination, the defendant's right to confrontation under the Sixth Amendment was violated. Judgment reversed and convictions set aside.

His recent reported cases include:

Commonwealth v. Rosado

Commonwealth v. Knowles

Commonwealth v. Bostock

Commonwealth v. Becker

Commonwealth v. Ronald R.

Commonwealth v. King

Commonwealth v. Denaro

Commonwealth v. Williams

Please contact Attorney Crouch at (617) 441-5111 or email him at acrouch[at]andrewcrouch.com to set up a consultation. To request further information or to speak with a representative of the firm, please contact us.