Commonwealth v. Lawrence

A jury convicted the defendant of distribution of a class D substance in violation of G. L. c. 94C, § 32C(a), commission of a drug offense within a school zone in violation of G. L. c. 94C, § 32J, and possession of a controlled substance in violation of G. L. c. 94C, § 34. On appeal, he argues that (1) G. L. c. 94C, § 32J, does not impose strict liability for drug violations occurring within 1,000 feet of a preschool, and the *597judge therefore erred in denying his motion for a required finding because the Commonwealth failed to prove that he knew the boundaries of the preschool near where he…