32-year-old Michael Makiej of Amesbury (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) was in Newburyport District Court Monday. He has been charged with Massachusetts drug crimes and the drug at issue is marijuana. He maintains his innocence. The Defendant’s problems arose, as often is the case, when a criminal investigation began without his knowledge.…
Sometimes, as we look across the globe (the round one, not the newspaper), we are appalled at the hatred and inhumanity that we see. Why, just look at the recent matter in Norway. Anders Behring Breivik is grabbing his 15 minutes of fame (or infamy) by his various statements after…
Ok, I admit it. Sometimes, the extreme heat can even effect experienced criminal defense attorneys. Yes, even in Boston, although we generally never have to face temperatures that feel like over 1000 degrees as we did last Friday. The point is, though, that although I was able to handle my…
As you know, one of the purposes of this daily criminal law blog is to warn people of the realities of today’s criminal justice system. Chief among those who need the warnings, but often do not realize it, are our kids. While today’s story was originally meant for what the…
Cases of cyber crimes seem to be hitting the headlines a lot these days. Take Aaron Swartz, 24, of Cambridge (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) for example. He was a fellow at Harvard University’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics until quite recently. Now, he is facing allegations that he committed federal…
You have seen it in the movies. Sometimes, at the end of the film, you walked out angry. Sometimes feeling exhilarated. It is the tale of the vigilante. The vigilante who goes after the unmistakable “bad guy” and, maybe even, rescues the innocent victim. Usually, how you feel depends on…
Sometimes, as most police agencies know, things are not simply what they appear to be. Take the case of Louis Gersh (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) for example. The Defendant ran a second-hand store on Warren Street in Arlington. Little did he know, however, he had been under a Massachusetts criminal investigation…
Yesterday was another day in the Whitey Bulger/ Catherine Greig Follies (hereinafter, the “Follies”). It was Day Two of the bail hearing for Ms. Greig, during which time witnesses with absolutely nothing relevant to say were given the chance to throw verbal barbs at the couple-at-issue as the court decides…
Massachusett’s top judges, the Supreme Judicial court, among others, (hereinafter, the “Judges”) are based in Boston. And they are not happy. Angered at the budget cuts approved Monday, they have urged Governor Deval Patrick to stop appointing new judges as they now already have to close 11 courthouses and lay…
It has been said that hard cases make bad law. Well, maybe. But it also seems that high profile cases tend to make sudden amendments to the law, twist it up into a pretzel and then eat away at it until it is no longer noticeable. It is a fascinating…