Legal Opinion
In Re Department of Social Services to Dispense With Consent to Adoption
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Decided August 13, 1984PublishedCited by 49 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtWilkins, J.
In her application for further appellate review following an order of the Appeals Court affirming by summary disposition a decree pursuant to G. L. c. 210, § 3, dispensing with the need for her consent to the adoption of her child, the mother urged, for the first time, that, under arts. 1 and 10 of the Declaration of Rights of the Constitution of the Commonwealth, any finding of her unfitness as a parent must be supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A judge of the Pro bate and Family Court had found that the mother was unfit, using the standard of clear and convincing evidence…
2Cases cited22 opinions
- Santosky v. KramerSupreme Court of the United States · 1982
- Addington v. TexasSupreme Court of the United States · 1979
- In re Juvenile Appeal (83-CD)Supreme Court of Connecticut · 1983
- Guardianship of RoeMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1981
- Custody of a MinorMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1979
17 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by49 opinions
- Adoption of MaryMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1993
- E.N.O. v. L.M.M.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1999
- Adoption of IlonaMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2011
- Adoption of VitoMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2000
- Adoption of GregoryMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 2001
44 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.