Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text:
Main Announcement:
Judge Locke appointed to lead the Integrity Review Bureau (IRB) in Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
Key Points about Judge Locke:
Highly Qualified: Possesses an “impeccable record of fairness and impartiality,” deep legal knowledge, and trial procedure expertise.
experiance:
Chief Justice of the Trial Court (2022-2023)
Superior Court Judge (2001-2022)
Chair of the Massachusetts Sentencing Commission (2018-2022)
Former District Attorney of Norfolk County (1997-1999)
Former Commissioner of the MA Department of Social Services (1999-2001)
Law Professor (Boston College & Northeastern)
Perspective: Known for considering all sides equally, prioritizing facts and evidence.About the Integrity Review Bureau (IRB):
Purpose: Investigates claims of wrongful convictions, innocence, and other issues that may have led to unjust outcomes.
Mission: To determine if someone was wrongly convicted, if trial errors or new evidence cast doubt on a conviction, or if a conviction/sentence is not in the interest of justice.
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to District Attorney kevin hayden to ensure independence. Predecessor: Evolved from the Conviction integrity Panel (CIP) established in 2004, which itself built on reviews started in the 1990s.
Statements from Officials:
District Attorney Kevin Hayden: Expresses full confidence in judge Locke and his staff to continue the office’s commitment to conviction integrity.
Judge Locke: Honored to be entrusted with the obligation and looks forward to working with DA Hayden’s team.
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Overview:
Serves Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop.
Handles over 20,000 cases annually.
Employs nearly 160 assistant district attorneys and around 300 people total.
Committed to public education, crime prevention, and safety.
