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The Fine Line Between Drug Dealer And Drug User

In Massachusetts as in most states there is a fine line between drug dealer and drug user. When people think of drug dealers they usually think about two types of people. One, the street dealer who sells small quantities and makes money on volume. Two, the major trafficker who sells drugs in multiple kilos or pounds. Today, especially with opiates such as heroin or oxycodone, the more common drug dealer is the person who sells just enough to support his or habit. Defending people falling into this category should be pretty easy, right? Guess again. District attorneys are rarely sympathetic to this situation and prosecutions are approached aggressively. Continue Reading

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Law Abiding Protesters Getting Charged With Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest

Over the past year, numerous Americans across the country have passionately vocalized their stance against state law enforcement violence towards unarmed criminal suspects who are African American. A movement has begun that supports raising awareness of this nationwide issue, and activists who belong to the movement have banded together to organize protests in a number of states. The main entity in the movement that is gathering traction with the people is a campaign known as Black Lives Matter. Unfortunately, many of the people involved in these gatherings are getting charged with crimes such as disorderly conduct, resisting arrest.  Continue Reading

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Will The Jury Believe Me Or The Police?

Deciding whether to go to trial or resolve a criminal case in Massachusetts without going to trial is a big decision. Some people cannot handle the pressure of having a case pending. These people want to get the case over with regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of the allegations. Others prefer to procrastinate and believe that at least when a case is pending there is no bad news. At some point however a decision has to be made; go to trial or plead out. One of the greatest concerns people have when making that decision is the weight that will be given to a police officer’s testimony. I am routinely asked “will the jury believe me or the police?”. Some of the factors addressing this question are discussed in this article. Continue Reading

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Defend a Rape Case With The Help of Social Media

On many occasions in the past I have posted articles about how social media has helped the prosecution prove crimes. Those articles warn against the stupidity of going public with certain activities that might add to the government’s evidence. Even in instances where social media posts are innocuous district attorneys often try to link the content to the person’s involvement in the crime. However, there are instances where you might be able to defend a rape case with the help of social media. Continue Reading

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Drugged Driving

Many people do not think that driving while under the influence of drugs is a crime akin to drunk driving, but driving while intoxicated by drugs, such as marijuana or prescription medications, is driving under the influence, nonetheless. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released a report noting that while the number of drivers that are driving under the influence of alcohol is gradually decreasing compared to years past, the number of drivers that are driving while under the influence of drugs is on the rise. Continue Reading

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If you had any involvement in a crime or even any knowledge of the circumstances of certain criminal activity the police could contact you. If they question you they are doing so for a reason. Someone may have told them that you were involved or that you have pertinent information. Or, aspects of their investigation might suggest to them you were involved or, at a minimum know what happened. If you had any role in a crime you should never talk to the cops. If you weren’t involved and don’t want to give information you can still keep quiet. However once you start talking you are at risk. You can get in trouble for lying to the cops. Big trouble.17 Continue Reading

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Hire A Criminal Defense Lawyer

We never like to think that our teenagers are bad, or could become involved in some sort of crime or vandalism. We like to think that our kids are generally well-behaved, law-abiding citizens. But countless young adults find themselves wrapped up in allegations of crime. Sometimes it is a matter of the teen exercising poor judgement, sometimes the teen is caught at the wrong place at the wrong time, and sometimes it is the result of false allegations. Whatever the case may be, if your teenaged son or daughter is facing allegations of wrongdoing, you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Continue Reading

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Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney Before I am Charged With a Crime

Every few weeks I get a call from a perspective client telling me that he or she heard that the cops are looking for them. They want to know what they should do. These people tend to ask the same questions. Do I need a lawyer? What if I just talk to the police to hear what they have to say? Won’t it look bad if I say I have a lawyer? Many of these people think they can put the problem to rest by talking to the cops. They can’t sleep at night. They are worried about the unknown. They want answers now. They want the case over now. The problem is that talking with the police will not help you. It will only hurt you. When I am asked the question “do I need a criminal defense attorney before I am charged with a crime” the answers is always and unequivocally a resounding “yes”. Here is why. Continue Reading

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The Alibi Defense And How It Works

One of the best defenses to a criminal accusation is the alibi defense. This defense tells a jury or judge that you didn’t commit the crime with which you were for one very compelling reason…because you weren’t there. I have had countless clients come into my office and tell me that they have an alibi that they want me to advance it on their behalf. That request always triggers a very serious discussion about the alibi defense and how it works. And believe it or not, more times than not the client decides that perhaps the alibi is not his best defense. Continue Reading

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Could Marijuana Become Legal in Massachusetts?

You can add Massachusetts’s lawmakers to the list as the most recent group of state legislators looking into the possibility of legalizing marijuana at the state level. Fifteen lawmakers in Massachusetts are in support of a bill, referred to as H.1561, that would tax and regulate the marijuana industry in Massachusetts, bringing the billion-dollar illegal marijuana trade in Massachusetts into a legitimate business sphere where state coffers can benefit from the sale and taxation of marijuana. In addition to producing a new revenue stream for the state, legalizing marijuana would reduce crime by eliminating minor marijuana criminal offenses. Continue Reading