Judicial Profiles
Judicial Biography
Born:
1950, New York City
Year admitted to bar:
1988
Year appointed/elected:
1995, by Gov. William F. Weld
Pet Peeves
Other than being well prepared, I look for the following attributes in an attorney appearing before me:
“Zealous advocacy; polished trial skills; and the powerful pursuit of justice.”
What displeases me the most is:
“Arriving late to court; poor preparation”
Background
Education:
Northeastern University School of Law, 1987
Fordham University, 1984
Participation as a Faculty Member or Lecturer:
Panelist, MCLE (1990-1995);
Lecturer, Essex County Bar Advocates (1990-1995);
Lecturer, Committee for Public Counsel Services (1989-1995).
Professional
Legal Employment History:
Attorney, Committee for Public Counsel Services (1989-1995);
Department of Social Services (1989);
Attorney, Committee for Public Counsel Services (1988-1989).
General Character of Law Practice Prior to Judgeship:
“Criminal defense trial attorney.”
Civic and Community Activities
Appointive or Elective Positions Held:
Board member, Committee for Public Counsel Services (1993-1995).
Memberships/Affiliations:
Boston Bar Association;
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys;
American Bar Association;
Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys;
National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys;
Hispanic National Bar Association;
Peabody Little League (1986-1993);
Board of Directors, North Shore Catholic Charities (1990-1991); Massachusetts Bar foundation (Life Fellow);
- Reported Decisions
Evaluations from Lawyers
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Comments
1) Be prepared for some heat when you advocate for a kid before this judge. Prepare the children that will appear before him. They MUST be respectful–and prepared to choose appointed counsel, if that is what they want. They HAVE to ask for themselves! So help them out before they get in the court room, because he will make life a living hell for them if they are not prepared for what to expect.
2) On arraignment, Judge Sanchez barks at juvenile defendants with regard to whether or not they want to hire their own attorney, have one appointed, or represent themselves. Not surprisingly, the kids stand and stammer bewildered, not knowing quite what to say. Sanchez demands that they answer. I can’t stand by and watch this mutely, and step in to rescue the kid, only to be rudely chastised by the judge; he wants them to answer for themselves. Last time this happened, I thought he would launch over the bench at me.
Never saw a district court judge (or any other juvie judge) do this to a defendant in all my years of practice.
3) While this judge has a strong knowledge of the law and rules of evidence, he chooses not to follow either. He has steadily declined in demeanor towards litigants and CPCS/defense attorneys over the years and has engaged in a personal crusade against several of the CPCS/defense attorneys, (the arguments they present or the litigants they represent), who regularly appear in front of him.
4) Openly flirtatious with young female attorneys
Erratic and difficult
refuses to rule on motions, forces parties to litigate before trial date
