Commissioner of Revenue v. Pechonis

The issue presented in this appeal is whether a paternity and child support proceeding under G. L. c. 209C is barred by the prior dismissal of a paternity complaint under G. L. c. 273, § 12, as in effect prior to St. 1986, c. 310, § 25, and an adjudication of not guilty under a complaint for nonsupport under G. L. c. 273, § 15, as in effect prior to St. 1986, c. 310, § 26. We hold that, in the circumstances of this case, the dismissal of the paternity complaint and the adjudication of not guilty is a bar to the paternity and child support proceeding.

We summarize the pertinent facts. On…