Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog

January 8, 2018

The Return Of A Boston Criminal Lawyer And DCF Fair Hearings

Hello. This is “Attorney Sam”. You may remember me as I regularly wrote this blog.

Now that we are finally thawing out, welcome to 2018. Although it has admittedly been awhile, I am still around, handling criminal cases and, of course, representing parents and teachers against the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Since we are starting off a new year, I thought that I would do something new. In all my blogs about DCF, I don’t think I have ever written one that is favorable to the department.

The previously stated views remain, unfortunately, but there is one aspect where DCF has surprised me in a positive way.

For those of you unacquainted, when DCF gets a report about abuse or neglect of a child, or what passes for such in some people’s minds, they do an investigation. At the end of that rather short investigation, they make a determination as to whether the allegations are “supported”.

There are various ways in which such a finding can, and will, negatively effect your life. Not just in the short term…years later as well.

There is only one way to challenge such a finding. It is an appeal procedure within DCF culminating in what is known as a “Fair Hearing”.

At a Fair Hearing, the investigator explains why the decision was made to support the allegations. The aggrieved parent (or teacher) has a chance to question the investigator and present his or her own witnesses. What passes for a judge in such hearings are men and women known as “Hearing Officers”. They have their own unit at the Boston headquarters of DCF.

“Who do the Hearing Officers work for, Sam?”

They work for DCF.

“Wait a minute. You’re telling me that it comes down to asking DCF to find that DCF had made a mistake in its finding?”

I know that, particularly if you know DCF, this seems like lunacy. Particularly if they continue to call it a “Fair” Hearing. Frankly, that is how it seemed when I started handling these matters years ago.

The good news is that, contrary to what one might expect, these Hearing Officers actually seem to take their job seriously. I have won many of these hearings and found many of the Officers quite fair.

“Is it just one Hearing Officer whom you have somehow won over or are dating?”

January 8, 2018

What is the Blood Alcohol Limit in MA?

by Altman & Altman

If you are at least 21, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher can result in an OUI arrest in MA. The limit for under-age individuals is .02 percent (basically, zero tolerance). Licensed commercial drivers (CDL holders) have a limit of .04 percent. If police suspect that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol during a traffic stop, you will likely be asked to submit to a breath test.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Alcohol is metabolized at different rates for different people, and based on a variety of factors. These include your gender, weight, the type of alcohol you consumed, how quickly you consumed it, and whether or not you drank on an empty or full stomach. With so many variables, it is impossible to determine your BAC without a tool designed specifically for that purpose. Even one alcoholic beverage, consumed quickly by a person with a small build – on an empty stomach – can result in an unsafe level of impairment. The best way to avoid an OUI is to always have a designated driver if you plan to drink.

If a breath test indicates that you are above the legal limit, you may be placed under arrest. Although breath tests – commonly referred to as breathalyzers – sometimes provide inaccurate readings, an over-the-limit result is compelling evidence that you were driving under the influence. This is especially true when a reading is particularly high.

Can I Refuse the Breath Test?

You can decline to take the test, but there are serious repercussions for refusing, including a minimum six-month license suspension. Even so, it may be in your best interest to refuse a breath test. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem. You will have a better chance of having your OUI charges dismissed if there are no incriminating breath test results and you have solid legal counsel. If the charges are thrown out, your attorney will likely be able to remove the penalties for refusing as well.

If you do submit to the breath test and your reading is over the limit, an experienced Boston OUI defense attorney may still be able to get your charges dismissed. Breath test results are frequently off by up to .02 percent in either direction. If you were barely above the legal limit, a skilled lawyer should be able to present multiple defenses against your charge. That being said, attempting to defend an OUI charge without legal counsel can have severely negative consequences. Don’t make the mistake of trying to go it alone. The right attorney can be the difference between a conviction and a clean record.

Per Se State

Under Melanie’s law, if a breath test registers higher than the legal limit, you are legally presumed to be impaired. MA is a “Per Se” state, which means that over-limit breath test results provide per se evidence of legal intoxication. Therefore, if you agree to the test and the results are over the legal limit, you are presumed to be operating under the influence. In such a case, it is essential to have an experienced Massachusetts OUI defense attorney by your side. Continue reading

December 28, 2017

What Constitutes Armed Robbery in Massachusetts?

by Altman & Altman

If you robbed or stole from someone while in possession of a deadly weapon, you may be facing charges for armed robbery. This is a serious crime in MA, and the penalties can be extremely harsh, up to and including life in prison. There are, however, multiple defenses against this crime. In addition, alternative sentencing options may exist in certain situations. When it comes to armed robbery, the help of an experienced MA criminal defense attorney is crucial to a favorable outcome.

The Four Elements of Armed Robbery

In order to be convicted of armed robbery, however, four elements must be proven. These are:

The defendant was in possession of a deadly weapon, or threatened use of a deadly weapon. Obvious examples are guns and knives, but anything can be considered a deadly weapon if it could cause serious harm. The weapon doesn’t need to have been used during the robbery. In fact, the defendant doesn’t even need to have a weapon in his possession. The threat of a weapon is enough.
The victim must have been physically hurt, or the defendant’s threat of harm must have made the victim fear for his safety. In addition, the defendant must have used the threat of force during the robbery.
The defendant must have actually taken the victim’s property, or the prosecution must show that he intended to steal it.
The defendant must have taken the property against the victim’s will.

As stated above, you do not need to be in possession of a weapon to be convicted of armed robbery. If the victim felt reasonably threatened that you were in possession of a weapon, you can be charged with this crime.

Penalties for Armed Robbery

Armed robbery is considered a violent crime in MA, and it carries the potential for life imprisonment. As with any criminal offense, your prior criminal history and the circumstances surrounding the crime will factor heavily in determining punishment. In MA, there is a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for many forms of armed robbery. The mandatory minimum is 15 years if you have a previous conviction.

The victim’s identity is also considered when determining punishment. If, for example, the victim was at least 60 years old, you are more likely to face an increased sentence of up to 20 years.
If the armed robbery was committed inside of the victim’s home, you may be facing up to life in prison.
There is a mandatory minimum sentence of five years if you wore a disguise during the robbery.
There is a mandatory minimum of five years if you were in possession of a gun at the time of the robbery.

One of the most effective defenses in armed robbery cases is to raise an identification issue. If the victim or witnesses are unable to confidently identify the defendant as the individual who committed the robbery, a conviction will be unlikely. That being said, a successful defense is highly dependent on the help of an experienced Boston criminal defense attorney. Continue reading

December 20, 2017

Consequences for Refusing Breathalyzer in MA

by Altman & Altman

If you get arrested on suspicion of OUI in Massachusetts, the law requires that you submit to a breath or blood test. This “implied consent” law states that if an officer arrests you for OUI – with probable cause – you must consent to a blood or breath test to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC). As such, there are consequences if you refuse.

If you refuse the breath test (commonly referred to as a breathalyzer), the officer will warn you that a refusal will result in a minimum 180-day license suspension. If you still refuse the test, the officer will automatically take your license and have your car sent to impound (although this will likely happen even if you don’t refuse the test).

In MA, refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test comes with the following consequences:

First offense: 180-day license suspension
Second offense: Three-year license suspension
Third offense: Five-year license suspension

There are some exceptions to the rules above, however. For example, if you are under 21 at the time of your arrest, you will receive an automatic three-year suspension. And if you refuse the test after causing serious injury to another, you will lose your license for 10 years if convicted of OUI. It’s a lifetime suspension if you refuse the breathalyzer after an OUI-related accident in which someone died. You will also lose your license permanently if you previously refused a breathalyzer in three separate OUI arrests.

Is Refusing a Breathalyzer Ever a Good Idea?

At first glance, refusing a breathalyzer may seem like a terrible idea. In some cases, this is likely the case. However, refusing a breathalyzer may also work in your favor. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The help of an experienced Boston OUI defense attorney is crucial to a favorable outcome.

If, for example, this is your first offense, and your BAC is likely over the limit but not excessively high, you may improve your chances of avoiding an OUI conviction if you refuse the breathalyzer. However, a refusal should only be considered if no aggravating circumstances were present, such as having a child in the car, causing property damage, injury or death, or the presence of drugs, drug paraphernalia, or weapons. And even then, there are no guarantees.

An over-the-limit BAC is compelling evidence, even if it’s only just over. It’s easier to argue that you were not intoxicated if there is no BAC on record.

If your charges are dismissed, a skilled MA OUI defense attorney can likely help you get your license reinstated. But, as stated above, there are no guarantees. If you can show that a) the officer did not have probable cause to stop you, b) you were never officially arrested, or c) you consented to the test but it was never performed, you will likely get your license back. Continue reading

December 1, 2017

What is Disorderly Conduct? Will I Go to Jail in Massachusetts?

by Altman & Altman

When it comes to most types of criminal misconduct, such as drunk driving, selling heroin, or spousal abuse, the act itself is a crime. Drunk driving is a criminal offense in MA, with specific penalties based on the circumstances surrounding the case. But what about behavior that only becomes criminal under certain circumstances? Take shouting, for example. On its own, shouting isn’t a criminal offense. But shouting on a residential street at three a.m. may be.

To keep communities calm and running smoothly, MA limits what people can do by imposing certain laws meant to “keep the peace.” When a person’s conduct jeopardizes that peace, his or her behavior may be prosecuted as disorderly conduct, a criminal offense. It’s no surprise that disorderly conduct charges are especially common when groups of rowdy, intoxicated people gather. Music concerts, outdoor festivals, and sporting events are infamous for resulting in at least a few charges of disorderly conduct. A MA defense lawyer can help you protect your rights if you’ve been charged with any type of crime.

Examples of Disorderly Conduct

November 21, 2017

Can a Convicted Domestic Abuser Purchase a Firearm in MA?

by Altman & Altman

Beginning in 1996, federal law made it illegal for any person convicted of domestic abuse to purchase a firearm. But in the more than 20 years since that law passed, countless mass shootings have been perpetrated by individuals with a history of spousal abuse. Recently, a man convicted by the Air Force of beating his wife and stepson opened fire at a church in rural Texas, killing 26 people. How did Devin P. Kelley obtain an AR-15 military-style rifle after a domestic abuse conviction? According to the Air Force, his conviction was never entered into the National Criminal Information Center database.

“I am deeply disturbed — in fact, outraged — that this domestic violence conviction was apparently never reported, and what concerns me equally is the possibility that it’s only one example of non-reporting by the Department of Defense,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal, in a recent interview.

Massachusetts Laws on Guns and Domestic Violence

As of 2014, anyone convicted of a crime of domestic violence is prohibited from owning a firearm in Massachusetts. This is even true of misdemeanor convictions. In MA, domestic abuse includes any act of violence or abuse committed by one member of the household against another. Abuse includes:

causing or attempting to cause physical harm,
putting someone in fear of serious bodily harm, and
threatening or forcing another to have sexual relations.

And domestic abuse isn’t always physical. It can be emotional or sexual, and can even involve neglect or financial abuse. Domestic abuse crimes include:

assault,
violation of a 209A abuse prevention order (restraining order), and
intimidation of a witness.

What About Restraining Orders?

In MA, the issuance of a 209A abuse prevention order will automatically disqualify you from having or obtaining a License to Carry Firearms (LTC), or a Firearms Identification Card (FID). Regardless of whether the order is temporary, permanent, or an emergency order, you will have to surrender all firearms to the police. Once the order is lifted, you may be able to get your FID reinstated, and your firearms may be returned to you. A Boston criminal defense attorney can help you determine your rights if a protective order has been issued against you.

Can I Seal a Domestic Abuse Conviction?

In addition to the prohibition on buying or possessing firearms, any type of domestic violence conviction can negatively impact your ability to get a job or find housing for years into the future. In some cases, you may be able to get your conviction sealed, effectively hiding it from background checks conducted by employers and landlords. Once your record is sealed, only law enforcement agencies will have access to your criminal record. In rare cases, your sealed record may be accessed if you apply for a firearms license.

If your conviction was for a misdemeanor, you must wait five years to have your record sealed. The waiting period for a felony is 10 years. A MA defense lawyer can help you determine if you are eligible to have your criminal record for domestic violence sealed from public view. Continue reading

November 17, 2017

Be Smart This Holiday Season- Don’t Become a Drunk Driving Statistic

by Altman & Altman

The holidays are notoriously one of the worst times of year for drunk driving. From just before Thanksgiving to just after New Year’s Day, people attend more alcohol-laden parties than at any other time of year. We eat more, drink more, and are generally more merry. This is all good news, unless you decide to get behind the wheel of your car. Don’t sabotage your cheer and joy with an OUI this holiday season.

Tips to Avoid Becoming an OUI Statistic

The only surefire way to avoid getting an OUI is to never drink and drive. If you plan on drinking, designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you drink more than planned and don’t have a driver, call a taxi, an Uber, or a friend. And if you decide to drive after one drink, heed the advice below.

Be sure that you’re under the legal limit. In MA, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 is above the legal limit. To help keep your BAC under this threshold, eat plenty of food while drinking, limit your consumption to no more than one drink per hour, and stop drinking long before you have to drive. Keep in mind, however, none of these suggestions guarantee that your BAC will remain under the legal limit. The only way to be certain is to stick to non-alcoholic beverages.
Use extra caution when driving. Safe driving practices are always important, but if you’ve had a drink, obeying traffic laws becomes crucial. Now is not the time to fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, or attempt to beat a yellow light, for example. And of course, don’t text or talk on your cell phone. An MA OUI defense attorney can help you protect your rights if you’ve been charged with an OUI.
Use an OUI app to reduce your risk. The following apps can help, but the only fail safe is to avoid drinking and driving altogether.
DrinkTracker: With this app, you can estimate your BAC based on the amount of alcohol you’ve consumed.
Intoxicheck: This app measures your reaction times, judgment, dexterity and memory through the use of multiple challenges. To get an accurate reading, the user must first perform the challenges sober to measure the differences after drinking.
BreathalEyes: Similar to the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test that police sometimes use to determine if a driver is intoxicated, this app tracks involuntary movements of the eyes.
BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer: Although not an app, this breathalyzer device attaches to your smartphone and works with an app through which you record how much you drink throughout the night.

If you do get pulled over, be calm, cooperative, and respectful. You do not need to submit to a field sobriety or breath test, but refusing a breath test will likely result in an automatic six month suspension of your driver’s license. If your charges are dismissed, however, the six month suspension may also disappear. A Boston OUI defense attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been charged with an OUI. Continue reading

November 8, 2017

Should Left Lane Hogs be Ticketed and Fined?

by Altman & Altman

We’ve all been stuck behind a slow driver in the left lane. It can be frustrating, aggravating, even infuriating. But should it be illegal? Most states have addressed the issue of left lane “slowpokes” through legislation, signs, or fines. Proponents of these laws argue that driving slow in the left lane is as dangerous as speeding because it frustrates people to the point of road rage. Some states – including Georgia, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia – have recently adopted tougher laws and enforcement to keep people out of the left lane, unless they are passing.

Some states, such as Missouri and Michigan are using a subtler approach to educate and inform. Missouri uses funny signs, such as “Camp in the Ozarks, not the left lane,” and Michigan troopers turn traffic stops into teaching opportunities with the state’s newly-launched “Southpaw Initiative.” Violators are stopped and educated about left lane driving and how it can disrupt the flow of traffic. A Boston criminal defense attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been charged with a crime during a routine traffic stop.

A Violation of Rights?

Although most of the violators in Michigan’s Southpaw Initiative were let off with just a warning (key word, most), critics are concerned about the possible implications. Charles E. Sydnor III, a Democrat representing Maryland’s Baltimore County, said he was recently pulled over in Virginia for a left-lane violation. He claims to have been preparing to make a left turn.

“Once you incentivize law enforcement to go after people in the left lane, it could be a pretext to pulling people over for no reason,” said Sydnor.

But despite the potential for such laws to encroach on our constitutional rights, states are increasingly likely to adopt left lane-related laws in order to reduce traffic congestion. Oklahoma’s new law, which went into effect last week, imposes a fine of more than $200 for drivers who hang out in the left lane too long. A MA criminal defense lawyer can help you protect your rights if you’ve been charged with a crime during a routine traffic stop.

“I believe it has caused some road rage incidents,” said Oklahoma State Trooper Dwight Durant, and spokesman for the state’s Highway Patrol. “It’s caused some collisions with property damage, personal injury and even death. We’re hopeful this new law will cut down on that.” OK has also installed 234 signs across the state warning drivers to avoid clogging the left lane. And effective July 1, Nevada and Virginia are carrying fines of up to $250 for the same.

How to Gently Nudge Left Lane Hogs Out of the Passing Lane

Due to the dangers of slow driving in the left lane, minimum speed limits are typically posted on highways. Anyone driving below the minimum speed can be ticketed and fined. These folks usually fall into one of four categories: distracted, “leaf peepers” or tourists, new drivers, and the elderly. If you encounter a slow driver, or someone who just won’t leave the left lane, avoid aggressive tactics to get them to move. Instead, safely pass the slow driver. If passing isn’t possible, gently urge the driver to speed up or move by following the advice below:

Keep your cool and have patience
Flick your headlights a few times
Calmly tap your horn

If they still won’t budge, take a few deep breaths and count your blessings. It could be worse. Continue reading

November 1, 2017

PA District Attorney Refiles Most Serious Charges in Penn State Hazing Case

by Altman & Altman

Tim Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore at Penn State University, died last year due to injuries sustained in a hazing incident. The Beta Theta Pi fraternity, which was supposed to be alcohol-free due to a previous suspension, led Piazza and several other pledges through a hazing ritual dubbed “the gauntlet.” Surveillance videos show a heavily-intoxicated Piazza falling several times throughout the night, including once down a flight of stairs. In total, 18 Beta Theta Pi members were criminally charged for their involvement in Piazza’s death.

In September, Judge Allen Sinclair threw out several charges against fraternity members, including some of the most serious. But last week, Pennsylvania District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller refiled some of those charges, including those for involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault. “Today we refiled the previously dismissed charges for Tim Piazza’s unnecessary death,” said Parks Miller. A Boston criminal defense lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been charged with a crime.

Piazza’s family believes that the reckless behavior of the defendants was directly responsible for the death of their son. According to their official statement, the fraternity brothers abandoned Piazza when they realized he was in “dire trouble.” In addition to seeking justice for their son, the family also wants to ensure that this type of behavior is stopped.

“Had it not been for the crimes committed that night, Tim would be with us today,” said Piazza’s family in the statement. “This is about bringing justice to a group of individuals who felt they were above the law and entitled to abuse and torture others because it was ‘tradition.’ This is also about justice for Tim and making a statement that this behavior is not acceptable and cannot be allowed to continue to harm others.”

Are Universities Responsible?

In one of recent history’s largest criminal cases against a fraternity, 18 members of Beta Theta Pi were charged in more than 1,000 counts. Piazza’s death has prompted a nationwide discussion about university oversight of fraternities. Penn State claims it was not responsible for enforcing the fraternity’s prohibition on alcohol, and has since banned the chapter from the campus.

“This is a huge challenge because we don’t own the houses, we don’t own the property, we aren’t the national organization governing fraternities,” said Penn State’s president, Eric Barron.

In addition to the aforementioned felony charges, other charges against fraternity members include reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, furnishing alcohol, and hazing. A MA defense lawyer can help you protect your rights if you’ve been charged with any type of crime.

University Crack Down

The Piazza case is just one of several deadly hazing rituals at U.S. colleges and universities in recent years. Deaths at Baruch College, Fresno State University and Northern Illinois University, among others, may have been chalked up to “boys being boys” in years past. But each of these hazing-related deaths has resulted in criminal charges. Institutions of higher learning are also cracking down on binge drinking and sexual assault, banning hundreds of fraternity chapters from operating on campus, and prohibiting freshman from pledging at all. Continue reading

October 24, 2017

Know Your Constitutional Rights if You Get Stopped for OUI

by Altman & Altman

If you are stopped on suspicion of drunk driving, you are guaranteed certain constitutional rights. For starters, you have the right to remain silent if you are placed under arrest. Police will generally inform you of this right by reading the “Miranda warning” at the time of your arrest. But your rights don’t stop there.

Fourth Amendment Rights

The fourth amendment to the U.S. constitution protects against unreasonable search and seizure. When the search and seizure pertains to a motor vehicle, police are generally required to have probable cause in order to make a traffic stop. If the officer cannot show that there existed a reasonable suspicion that a law was being broken, any evidence obtained during the traffic stop may be thrown out. This includes breath and blood test readings. A Boston criminal defense attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been charged with OUI.

Fifth Amendment Rights

The fifth amendment includes the right to remain silent, which also happens to be the first right of the aforementioned Miranda warning. But the fifth amendment also provides several other rights and protections, including a prohibition on double jeopardy, and the right to not self-incriminate. Police are not required by law to read you the Miranda warning, but anything you say may be inadmissible in court if they fail to do so. That being said, anything you say before you are arrested is fair game.
Sixth Amendment Rights

The sixth amendment guarantees the assistance of legal counsel to anyone who is placed under arrest. Basically, this means that if you can’t afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. That being said, it is generally a good idea to hire private counsel, even if you qualify for a public defender. The cost of a good OUI attorney can save you lots of money, and heartache, in the long run.

OUI Penalties in MA

If you get convicted of OUI, the penalties will depend heavily on the particulars of your case, whether it’s a first offense, and prior criminal history. Penalties may include:

First offense: Fines between $500 and $5,000, one-year license suspension, and up to 2.5 years in jail.
Second offense: Fines between $600 and $10,000, two-year license suspension, up to 2.5 years in jail w/ mandatory minimum of 30 days.
Third offense: Fines between $1,000 and $15,000, eight-year license suspension, up to five years in prison w/ mandatory minimum of 150 days. This is a felony charge.
Fourth offense: Fines between $1,500 and $25,000, 10 year license suspension, up to five years in prison w/ mandatory minimum of one year. This is a felony charge.

If you’ve been charged with OUI or any type of crime, a MA criminal defense attorney can help you protect your rights. Continue reading