Commonwealth v. Taylor

The defendant was charged with violating a protective order issued pursuant to G. L. c. 209A, § 7. At arraign*624ment, the defendant pleaded not guilty and a District Court jury trial was scheduled for January 13, 1997. On the day of trial, over the objection of the Commonwealth but at the defendant’s request, the judge continued the case until January 12, 1998, without a change of plea, purporting ta act under the authority of G. L. c. 276, § 87.1

On March 27, 1997, the Commonwealth moved for reconsideration of the judge’s order. The judge denied this motion, and the Commonwealth filed a petition…