If you open the mailbox to find a criminal citation staring back at you, it’s important to act quickly. If the criminal box is checked, you have been charged with a criminal offense. Although you are not technically under arrest, this type of citation is still a criminal accusation. Criminal…
There are multiple reasons for getting your license suspended, from unpaid parking tickets to excessive moving violations, neither of which is a criminal offense. But if you made the decision to drive during your license suspension, you may be facing criminal charges in Massachusetts. Even quick runs to the store…
Four years ago, Massachusetts state chemist, Annie Dookhan, was convicted of falsifying drug tests and tampering with evidence in thousands of criminal cases. Although Dookhan has completed her three-year prison sentence, many of the individuals whose drug samples she tampered with are still waiting for their time in court. But…
Keeping the peace requires significant “behind the scenes” work in the form of rules, laws, law enforcement, and punishment. Massachusetts Laws establish what we are allowed to do within our state, and any type of behavior that goes against these laws may be punishable. Most states define disorderly conduct as…
If you fear that your boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, husband, or ex-husband may cause you serious physical harm, you may want to obtain a restraining order against him. Fortunately, the process to obtain a restraining order is relatively quick and easy. And it’s free. But what comes next? A simple piece of…
A criminal record is an account of any criminal convictions and charges that you may have, past and present. Having a criminal record can have a severely negative impact on all aspects of your life, from finding a job to driving a car. If you are concerned about how your…
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor offense in MA, you have the right to a clerk magistrate hearing prior to the issuance of a criminal complaint. At this hearing, the clerk magistrate will examine the facts of your case to determine if a criminal complaint should be issued,…
College students who commit crimes can be prosecuted just like anyone else. In fact, they are often subject to additional penalties by athletic departments or college administrators. As you know Massachusetts is loaded with a number of public and private colleges. Most schools have codes of conduct, especially in the…
Any type of Massachusetts warrant is a serious issue and needs dealt with immediately. However, not all warrants are the same. A bench warrant, for example, can be issued for something as simple as missing jury duty, whereas an arrest warrant is only issued in a criminal case. Arrest Warrants…
You’ve just discovered that you have an outstanding warrant in Massachusetts – what do you do? It may be a bench warrant, which is typically issued when you fail to pay a fine or miss a court date. Or maybe it’s an arrest warrant for something more serious, such as…