In Massachusetts, driving with an expired or suspended license is a serious offense that can result in significant penalties, including fines, additional license suspension, and even jail time. Understanding the legal ramifications of these violations is essential for anyone who finds themselves facing such charges. The Difference Between Expired and…
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Massachusetts carries severe penalties for those convicted. One of the key aspects of DUI enforcement is the administration of breathalyzer tests, which measure a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). While many are familiar with the consequences of failing a breathalyzer, fewer people understand the…
The short answer is that likely a warrant has been issued for your arrest. That may, however, sound scarier than it is. Usually, your mistake is correctable if handled correctly and thoroughly. There are many factors which will ultimately determine what consequence, if any, there will be for you missing…
What is an arraignment? An arraignment is usually how a criminal case commences against you. There are exceptions to this general rule, which I shall talk about later. At an arraignment, typically a plea of NOT GUILTY is entered against you and a Pre-Trial Conference date set. Arraignments can be…
Three decades after the death of a 17-year-old Malden girl, a Middlesex jury found a Georgia man guilty of her murder. Rodney Daniels, 50, was convicted of first-degree murder this month for shooting Patricia Moreno on the fire escape of her apartment on July 20, 1991. Moreno had been staying…
If you were convicted of drunk driving in Massachusetts, you may qualify for a second chance. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled in April that due to problems with certain breath test machines — and the state’s handling of the issue — around 27,000 people can request to withdraw…
If you have a car crash in Massachusetts, you are legally required to stop your vehicle and exchange information with the other parties involved. But drivers sometimes leave the scene of an accident for a variety of reasons: they are unaware of the collision, they have issues with their insurance…
What Constitutes Disorderly Conduct in Massachusetts? Over 2,000 people a year find themselves under arrest for disorderly conduct in Massachusetts. But what exactly is disorderly conduct? Often used as a catch-all offense when someone acts in a way that is likely to upset others, disorderly conduct actually applies to a…
We often get the question here at Altman and Altman LLP, if I have lost my Massachusetts drivers license due to a criminal or motor vehicle infraction, am I eligible to apply for a hardship license? In general (though with some exceptions) the answer is yes. There are two instances…
What is a show cause hearing? A show cause hearing is held before a Massachusetts district court magistrate to establish whether or not there is probable cause that you committed the crime you are accused of. In other words, the prosecution must demonstrate that the evidence shows reasonable grounds for…