In Massachusetts, the state’s highest court says that defendants solely charged with illegal gun possession cannot be held without bail on the grounds that they might pose a danger to others. The Supreme Judicial Court says illegal gun possession alone is a crime that has no victims and is passive.…
Recently, a Pittsfield man decided to take the “self-help” approach at law enforcement, much as they did in the “old west”. Well, at least, that is what his neighbors say. What do the police say? It would appear that they communicated something along the lines of, ” You have the…
The city of Lynn’s top cop, Police Chief John Suslak, is unhappy. His ire has been raised by a ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court in Boston. On Friday, he joined law enforcement officials across the state in saying that the decision barring police from frisking suspected drug dealers for…
Eric S., 46, of North Andover, (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) is home again…for now. In fact, he is actually confined to his home and ordered to wear a bracelet monitoring system. Through the apparently successful arguments of his attorney, he is not being held in jail without bail. But it was…
Police in Massachusetts say they believe that the increase in car break-ins, burglaries, scams, larcenies, and domestic violence crimes throughout the state can be attributed to the recent economic crisis. For example, the Boston Globe is reporting that in: • Lawrence, Massachusetts: Burglaries have already increased by 52% compared to…
Today, we welcome home Germaine G., 30, (hereinafter, the “Defendant”). The Commonwealth has just welcomed him back by awarding him seven and a half years of free room and board. He had actually earned the award when he was convicted four years ago for violating Massachusetts’ drug trafficking and firearm…
The new changes in the Massachusetts drug laws will not help one gentleman from Fall River. It might not happen in Boston, but New Bedford’s District Attorney has a policy that means bad news for defendants possessing drugs and guns. The result? A decade behind bars. William T., 30, (hereinafter,…
This February began as “Weapons Gathering Month” as far as local police are concerned. We return to two warnings often read in the daily Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog. Namely…(1) different law enforcements agencies communicate and (2) you do not get advance notice that an investigation is going on. No, I…
This week, the daily Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog ends its week as it began…with stories which demonstrate dangers faced by law enforcement and defendants applying to the “Hey, I’ll Bet I Can Make This Situation Worse” club. Today, we have tales out of Springfield where two police officers suffered injuries…
Nikita R. 50, (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) lived in the near the City of Boston…Arlington, in fact. Until this week, he was perhaps an average-looking man who you might pass on the street and give a friendly nod to. His neighbors knew him mostly as a quiet guy who smoked cigarettes…