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District attorneys association warns new SJC discovery rule is straining prosecutors and could drive departures
Summary
District attorneys told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means that the Supreme Judicial Court’s new Rule 14 — requiring production of discovery by the first pretrial conference — has sharply increased workloads, raised ethical risks for overburdened prosecutors, and prompted requests for higher starting salaries and more administrative help.
The Massachusetts District Attorneys Association told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means that the state Supreme Judicial Court’s new Rule 14 — which requires production of most discovery by the first pretrial conference — has created operational strain across prosecutors’ offices.
Why it matters: DAs said the new timeline forces junior prosecutors to compile police body‑camera footage, reports and other materials within days, increasing overtime and producing ethical and staffing risks. Several county DAs recommended immediate budget and staffing relief to avoid loss of experienced prosecutors and…
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