{"id":65,"date":"2001-08-01T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2001-08-01T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/malw.dolanmediadev.com\/judicial-profiles\/cunningham-kevan-j\/"},"modified":"2022-09-25T14:58:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-25T14:58:47","slug":"cunningham-kevan-j","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/cunningham-kevan-j\/","title":{"rendered":"Cunningham, Kevan J."},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"jp\">\n<div class=\"portrait\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-files\/archives\/cunning.jpg\" alt=\"Cunningham\" class=\"portrait\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"jp_contact\">\n<div class=\"vcard\"><span class=\"fn n\" style=\"display:none\"><span class=\"given-name\">Kevan<\/span> <abbr class=\"additional-name\">J.<\/abbr> <span class=\"family-name\">Cunningham<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"title\">Judge<\/p>\n<p class=\"org\">Taunton District Court<\/p>\n<p class=\"adr\"><span class=\"street-address\">15 Court St.<br \/><\/span><span class=\"locality\">Taunton<\/span>, <span class=\"region\">MA<\/span> <span class=\"postal-code\">02780<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Phone: <span class=\"tel\"><a href=\"tel:(508) 781-0739\">(508) 781-0739<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br clear=\"both\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"jp_biography\">\n<h2>Judicial Biography<\/h2>\n<h3>Year admitted to bar:<\/h3>\n<p>1981<\/p>\n<h3>Year appointed\/elected:<\/h3>\n<p>1996, by Gov. William F. Weld<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"jp_education\">\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<h3>Education:<\/h3>\n<p>Suffolk University School of Law, 1981<br \/>\nNortheastern University, 1978<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"jp_professional\">\n<h2>Professional<\/h2>\n<h3>Legal Employment History:<\/h3>\n<p>Second assistant district attorney, Bristol County District Attorney&#8217;s Office (1991-1996)<br \/>\nAssistant attorney general, chief of the Narcotics Division, Attorney General&#8217;s Office (1987-1991)<br \/>\nAssistant district attorney, Plymouth County District Attorney&#8217;s Office (1982-1987)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\tjQuery(document).ready(function($){\tjQuery(\"ul.tabs-nav\").tabs(\"> .pane\"); }); <\/script>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"post-tabs\">\n\t\t<ul class=\"tabs-nav\"><li>Reported Decisions<\/li><li>Other Links<\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t<div class=\"pane\">\n\t\t\n<div id=\"jp_decisions\" class=\"widget jp-widget\">\n<div class=\"widget-container\">\n<h5>Decisions Reviewed on Appeal<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/?p=134800\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"homepagebulletlink\" >Insurance &#8211; PIP &#8211; &#8216;Reasonable and fair&#8217; reimbursement<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/?p=98387\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"homepagebulletlink\" >Appeals &#8211; Mootness &#8211; Commitment<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"pane\">\n\t\t\n<div id=\"jp_other\" class=\"widget jp-widget\">\n<div class=\"widget-container\">\n<h5>Articles about the judge, quoting the judge, etc.<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/?p=37339\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"homepagebulletlink\" >Bar Stews As Court Projects Are Held Up<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div id=\"jp_eval\">\n<h2>Evaluations from Lawyers<\/h2>\n<div id=\"center-column\">\n<p><center><\/p>\n<div class=\"eval_key\"><strong>4<\/strong> = Excellent&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>3<\/strong> = Good&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>2<\/strong> = Fair&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>1<\/strong> = Poor<\/div>\n<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" bgcolor=\"white\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table id=\"eval_table\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"1\" width=\"410\">\n<tr class=\"headerRow\" bgcolor=\"#1F527B\">\n<td style=\"color:white;\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white;\">rating<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white;\">averages for judges of this court<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white;\">averages of all judges<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Manages court time in a way that minimizes waiting around:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Is receptive to requests for continuances:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 2.9<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 2.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Is receptive to lawyers&#8217; requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#FACE35\">\n<td class=\"scoreParent\">Addresses the following with respect<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">a) litigants and witnesses:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">b) lawyers:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">c) court staff:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.4<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Attentiveness:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.3<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.3<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Quality of written decisions:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 2.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#FACE35\">\n<td class=\"scoreParent\">Shows willingness to ignore<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">a) irrelevant considerations:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 2.9<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 2.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">c) identity of lawyers or parties:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">d) public pressure or outside interests:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 0.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.5<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Starts session on schedule and on time:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 1.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.3<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\"> 2.0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\"> 3.2<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#1F527B\">\n<td style=\"color:white;\">Average Overall Rating:<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white\"> 0.2<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white\"> 3.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" bgcolor=\"white\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table id=\"eval_table\" cellpadding=\"2\" cellspacing=\"1\" width=\"410\">\n<tr class=\"headerRow\" bgcolor=\"#1F527B\">\n<td style=\"color:white\">&nbsp;<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white\">%&nbsp;Yes Answer<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white\">averages for judges of this court<\/td>\n<td style=\"color:white\">averages of all judges<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\">31<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\">26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\">65<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\">47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#E6E6E6\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\">48<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\">45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#BBCBD7\">\n<td class=\"scoreText\">Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:<\/td>\n<td class=\"score1\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"score2\">24<\/td>\n<td class=\"score3\">24<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<\/center>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"right-column\">\n<div class=\"blog\">\n<p><BR><BR>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kevan J. Cunningham Judge Taunton District Court 15 Court St.Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: (508) 781-0739 Judicial Biography Year admitted to bar: 1981 Year appointed\/elected: 1996, by Gov. William F. Weld Background Education: Suffolk University School of Law, 1981 Northeastern University, 1978 Professional Legal Employment History: Second assistant district attorney, Bristol County District Attorney&#8217;s Office (1991-1996) &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":542,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29532],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-inactive-judges"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/malwdev.wpengine.com\/judicial-profiles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}