Four members of Teamsters Local 25 were arrested in September on charges of extortion related to the filming of reality TV show “Top Chef” in the Boston area last year. According to the indictment, the members chased a legitimate business out of the City of Boston by use of “thug-tactics” and later harassed the cast […]
Senators Reach Deal on Criminal Justice Overhaul – What It May Mean for Non-Violent Drug Offenders
President Obama has mandated that a sentencing reform bill be placed on his desk before the end of the year; following visits this summer to a federal correctional facility in Oklahoma where he spoke personally with six prison inmates. The President emphasized that “distinctions need to be made between young people doing ‘stupid things’ and […]
Violating the Terms of Your Probation in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts’ Office of the Commissioner of Probation estimates that there are approximately 86,000 individuals on probation in Massachusetts. The probation system is in place to keep communities safe while providing probationers with the tools that they need to rehabilitate their lives and live safe and productive lives. Roughly 35% of probationers are re-incarcerated for […]
Can I Be Convicted of Selling Fake Drugs?
Seldom do people think that they can go to jail for selling a few allergy pills as ecstasy or a bag of flower as cocaine. It’s a common misconception that simply selling products you can get at the grocery store can land you in trouble with the law. The reality is, if you sell any […]
Supreme Court Rules No Cell Phone Search Without a Warrant
If you are arrested on suspicion of committing a crime, you are not required to submit to a search of your cell phone. In fact, recent state and federal court rulings have held that police are not allowed to search your cell phone before, during or after an arrest without first obtaining a search warrant. […]
The Differences Between Assault and Battery in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, you can either be charged with the crime of assault, or charged with the crime of assault and battery. It’s a common misconception that the two terms are interchangeable, and battery is often described as assault. We’ll be discussing the differences between the two charges and penalties associated with each here. Differentiating Between […]
DUI Penalties in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the penalties for driving while under the influence of alcohol can vary depending on a variety of factors. Criminal penalties associated with DUIs/OUIs (Operating Under the Influence) are set forth in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Sections 24 and 24D. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (or […]
Criminal Consequences of Sexting in Massachusetts
Sexting is defined by the State of Massachusetts as “sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photos, or images via cell phone, computer, or other digital device.” This can include sending intimate pictures or video via text message or through apps such as Snapchat and Instagram. While this behavior may be intended to remain between […]
Criminal Citations: What Happens if You Don’t Respond?
If you receive a citation for a criminal charge, you are required to respond within the four-day deadline to request the clerk magistrate’s hearing. When you do not respond within that deadline, you may wonder what your chances are for a hearing and what will happen because of your failure to respond. Unfortunately there is […]
Understanding the Felony Charges Associated with Third, Fourth and Fifth OUIs
Multiple OUIs can lead to a felony charge – especially if it is your third or higher. These allegations are extremely serious and should not be taken lightly. Unlike the punishments for first and second offenses, third and higher OUI offenses carry harsher penalties and the consequences of a felony conviction. Not only will you […]