Garcia v. Commonwealth

The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the judgment of the single justice denying, without a hearing, Appellant’s petition for relief under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 211, 3, holding that the superior court judge properly denied Appellant release on his personal recognizance after finding that no conditions of release would reasonably assure the safety of persons in the community.Appellant was indicted for trafficking of a personal for sexual services, deriving support from prostitution, and witness intimidation. After a dangerousness hearing in the witness intimidation case, the judge ordered that Appellant be held without bail for a period of not more than 120 days. The judge also set bail in the sex trafficking cases at $20,000. Appellant later sought a bail hearing, but no bail hearing was held at that time. Appellant then filed this petition, without success. The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the judgment denying relief, holding that Appellant failed to show that any of the judge’s factual findings were clearly erroneous or that the judge otherwise erred or abused his discretion. View "Garcia v. Commonwealth" on Justia Law