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Recently I was meeting with a new client who was charged, among other things with resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer. The defendant is a college student who was leaving a party in a Boston neighborhood. His story is unnerving and very common in Massachusetts, particularly for high school and college aged students. I have seen these facts frequently.  Fortunately for my clients most district attorneys are familiar with this scenario and the resolution for the accused is typically favorable. Here is the young man’s story, the defenses to the case and the ultimate result.

Resisting Arrest and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer

Resisting Arrest and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer

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This past weekend police in Amesbury, Massachusetts executed a search warrant at a home in a quiet residential neighborhood. At home during the raid, and charged with various drug crimes were Christopher Doty and Kristen Cataldo, both in their mid twenties. The search warrant was issued after police had obtained information regarding drug activity in the home. The information apparently came from informants and possibly a sustained surveillance or controlled drug buys. The defendants have been charged with an assortment of crimes including possession with the intent to distribute class A and class B drugs, assault and battery on a police officer, child endangerment and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Amesbury Cocaine, Heroin Felony Defense

Amesbury Cocaine, Heroin Felony Defense

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Heroin is considered a class “A” substance in Massachusetts because it is a highly addictive controlled substance. It is commonly referred to as dope,  and sometimes by its color, such as brown, or black tar heroin. Once heroin enters the body, it converts into morphine, which causes the user to experience a sense of relaxation and euphoria, also known as a high. Overdosing on heroin is fairly common as users develop a severe addiction to the controlled substance.  Several Massachusetts heroin drug charges are prosecuted daily in most Massachusetts courts.

Massachusetts Heroin Drug Charges

Massachusetts Heroin Drug Charges

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Countless times in the past I have written posts about clients who never would have been charged with a crime had they just kept their mouths shut and not spoken to the police. Many of these people though they could talk their way out of criminal charges. They were wrong. Others thought they did nothing and therefore had nothing to lose by talking to the cops. They were wrong. Some of these people listened to the cops who “suggested” they waive any constitutional rights and speak with them. They too were wrong. There are many instances where clients have told me that “the cops tricked me into talking to them”. This post discusses a recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court case where that tactic resulted in a partial reversal of a criminal conviction.

The Cops Tricked Me Into Talking To Them

The Cops Tricked Me Into Talking To Them

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One of the toughest decisions defendants in criminal cases have to make is whether or not to go to trial on their case. Some people have no choice. They have been charged with a crime where there is a minimum mandatory sentence as with drug trafficking cases and the district attorney refuses to break the case down. Or, perhaps the case is one that cannot be continued without a finding and a guilty finding will result in a loss of employment or the loss of a professional license. In those instances the decision is easy. Go to trial and hope for an acquittal. Most of the time however the decision is not that easy and the defendant has to weigh the pros and cons of going to trial. When my clients consult with me about this decision the one question they always ask “will  my sentence by worse if I go to trial and lose?”.

Massachusetts Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

Massachusetts Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer

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A terrible car accident in Methuen resulted in the death of a Lawrence man, serious injuries to another and a Lowell police officer in jail.  The Lawrence Eagle Tribune reported that Lowell Police Officer Eric Wayne will face a judge in Lawrence District Court on Monday where he will be arraigned for charges of motor vehicle homicide, having an open container of alcohol in his motor vehicle, operating under the influence of alcohol and operating to endanger. The paper reported that the officer is held on $500,000.000 bail.

Lowell Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

Lowell Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

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A local drug task force involving federal authorities, local cops and the state police resulted in significant charges for four Boston natives. Local reports state that two days ago, detectives armed with a search warrant entered a warehouse in an industrial park in Avon, Massachusetts. Pallets inside of the warehouse containing corn also contained over 1,000 pounds of marijuana. In addition to finding drugs the police also found two loaded firearms. Four people were arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana and possession of a handgun. The defendants have been identified as Sheena Hamilton, Jett Ezidi, Donnelly Ray and Stephan Durrant. Bails ranged from seven thousand five hundred dollars to twenty five thousand dollars.

Marijuana Trafficking Defense in Massaschusetts

Marijuana Trafficking Defense in Massaschusetts

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There are times when I am sitting in court waiting for a case to get called and wondering where my client is. Some of these folks are just late people. Others get lost on their way to court. Some think that court starts at 9:30 or 10:00. Then there are people who have personal matters such as child care conflicts. And others simply get the court date wrong or forget to show up.  If my client lets me know that he or she will be late I can usually get a second call and avoid the entry of a default. Some judges will even give me a new date if my client had a legitimate problem that prevented attendance in court. However, absent a good excuse prosecutors will request and judges will enter a default. This can result in the issuance of a bench warrant or a default warrant. This prompts a question that I get several times each month, that being “what should I do if I missed my court date?”.

Massachusetts Default Warrant Removal Law Firm

Massachusetts Default Warrant Removal Law Firm

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heroin

Andover Drug Trafficking Investigation

According to an article in the Boston Globe police in Andover, Massachusetts made three arrests following an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the suburban Boston town. Joselin Eliezar Reina-Mercedes, Luz Made and Luis Hiciano were present at Hiciano’s apartment when an early morning search warrant was executed. Pursuant to the search officers found over 100 grams of heroin. Hiciano was charged with gun possession as well. If convicted the defendants face a minimum mandatory ten year state prison sentence. This Andover drug trafficking investigation is one of several in this town this year. Continue Reading

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The Lawrence Eagle Tribune reported that a triple murder trial is underway in the Salem Superior Court related to a 2011 murder of a Lawrence woman and her two teenaged children.  Jose Luis Tejada has been charged with murder for the deaths of his girlfriend, Milka Rivera, 39, and her two children, Sachary Montanez, 19 and Max Ariel Montanes, 16 on September 4, 2011 during Labor Day weekend. The bodies were found all together in one of the children’s rooms.salemruane-450x299 Continue Reading