Legal Policy Work

Jane Doe Inc. monitors court cases making their way through our state judicial system. We become involved in what are referred to as “high impact” Appellate Court cases when we believe the court’s decisions will have significant impact on the rights of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Jane Doe Inc. does not provide legal services or represent individuals in these or any court cases. Our role is to file or join on to amicus curiae briefs and to provide analysis and in-depth background information on issues being considering by the Courts of Appeal. Rather than addressing the veracity of the facts of a case, the amicus brief will address how the Court’s interpretation or legal precedent will affect people other than the parties to the case. Taken from the Latin term meaning “friend of the court,” amicus curiae briefs are usually filed by an organization, group or persons who are not a party to the lawsuit but who are interested in the issues being litigated.

Below is a list and summary of recent and current cases where Jane Doe Inc. has submitted an Amicus Brief. You can view the full text of the amicus curiae briefs submitted by the Coalition by following the links below.

We extend our gratitude to the pro-bono partners who have lent their support and expertise to represent the positions advocated by Jane Doe Inc. in these briefs.

Commonwealth v. King
Supreme Judicial Court, September 29, 2005 - The SJC issued an opinion that reaffirmed and revised the fresh complaint doctrine, which permits witnesses to testify at trial about victims’ reports of rape and sexual assault... Click here for more.

SJC Jettisons ‘Fresh Complaint' Rule for Abuse Cases
Click above to read the October 2005 article from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly regarding fresh complaint.