You know the scene. Law enforcement smells illegal drugs, guns or even child pornography. Something illegal. Maybe they are right…and maybe they are wrong. The authorities are banging on your door to check it out. You demand to see a warrant. They don’t have one. You tell them that they…
Yesterday, we began discussing two of a myriad of matters in which civilians and police officers met…violently. In those two matters, as is too often the case, death for somebody was the result. I said that there was an important reality here which could effect you. “Sam, I have read…
You have seen the headlines. You have heard the newscasts. Sometimes it almost seems like there is a war going on between regular civilians and local police departments. Sometimes, it is law enforcement who ends up the victim of a homicide. Other times, it is the civilian. Is there a…
In 1984, the United States passed the Uniform Drinking Age Act to mandate that all states raise the drinking age from 18 to 21. In compliance, the state of Massachusetts raised the legal drinking age in 1985. Since the change, and with rising awareness regarding underage drinking, the state of Massachusetts…
Television has now long been used by law enforcement to try to clear up so-called “Cold Cases”. The aim of putting such programs on the air is, from the Network point of view, I suppose to make money because folks are interested in these programs. For law enforcement, however, the…
16-year-old Philip Chism (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) is having all sorts of trouble in Salem Superior Court, according to the Boston.com As if being charged with rape and murder were not enough, the judge overseeing his trial has found that he is competent to stand trial. He apparently tried to find…
In my last blog, I laid out the facts for a case, which was recently dismissed because we were able to uncover exculpatory evidence from the Department of Children and Families. Our client was charged with Assault and Battery on a minor (his 7 year old step-son). The child made…
A basic rule of criminal procedure is that the Commonwealth must turnover any and all exculpatory evidence (evidence which can lead the fact finder to believe the defendant is innocent) within their possession to the defense. In most cases there is rarely much exculpatory evidence, because if there were, the…
We usually encourage teachers who take a personal interest in students. Not always, though. Sometimes, we figure it is going too far. This case involves such allegations. 28-year-old Elizabeth Backler (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) was a North Shore educator and swim coach at north Andover High School. While she is no…
As I write this the website for his Cannabis Consulting is still up and, seemingly, ready for business. However, 41-year-old Ezra Parzybok (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) may have a fight on his hands to keep said business going. You see, the Defendant has been caught up in one of the biggest…