Krochta v. Commonwealth

We decide in this case whether collateral estoppel bars criminal prosecution of a defendant for offenses following a finding in his favor at a probation revocation hearing triggered by the alleged commission of the same offenses.1 We hold that it does not.

I

On July 9, 1996, Michael Krochta (defendant) pleaded guilty *712in the Palmer District Court to the crime of larceny of property over $250. G. L. c. 266, § 30. The judge ordered the defendant to pay restitution and imposed a sentence of two years’ probation, subject to the condition that he obey all laws. On December 16, 1997, a judge in the…