context: Here, before the revelation of Dookhan's misconduct, the petitioners and the Commonwealth entered into plea agreements that both parties considered to be mutually advantageous and fair. The petitioners agreed to waive various constitutional rights associated with proceeding to trial, and to relieve the Commonwealth of its burden of proving the petitioners' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
citation_a.signal: see also
citation_a.identifier: 470 Mass. 464, 468
citation_a.parenthetical: "In a criminal case, due process requires that the Commonwealth prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt"
citation_a.sentence: See also Commonwealth v. Russell, 470 Mass. 464, 468 (2015) (“In a criminal case, due process requires that the Commonwealth prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt”).
citation_b.signal: see
citation_b.identifier: 447 Mass. 625, 628
citation_b.parenthetical: guilty plea constitutes waiver of three constitutional rights: right to jury trial, right to confront one's accusers, and privilege against self-incrimination
citation_b.sentence: See Commonwealth v. Lopez, 447 Mass. 625, 628 (2006) (guilty plea constitutes waiver of three constitutional rights: right to jury trial, right to confront one’s accusers, and privilege against self-incrimination).