Boston Criminal Defense Blog

Your conduct after an arrest could help or hurt your case

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in criminal defense on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Regardless of the charges you face, it is important to remain on your best behavior following an arrest. We know how tempting it is to lash out at the officers arresting you, especially if you are innocent. However, giving in to extreme emotion is nearly always a terrible idea. In truth, doing so may hurt your chances of developing a solid criminal defense in the long run.

For example, many Massachusetts residents believe an arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not a serious event. As such, they may not realize that any poor behavior displayed after the arrest could worsen the situation. We are criminal defense lawyers concerned about preserving the rights of defendants. With this in mind, we want to share four good behavior tips that may prevent you from worsening your case.

Exercise your right to remain silent, but do so politely and with respect
Avoid physical altercations with police officers as well as booking personnel
Do not resort to name-calling or other emotional outbursts to express your frustration
Insist on contacting a criminal defense attorney, but do so calmly

What does ketosis have to do with a DUI breath test?

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

The keto diet has become quite popularly recently. The theory is that eating a high-fat, low-carb diet will force your body into burning its own fat. This happens when your body goes into "ketosis."

You will find proponents and opponents alike regarding this eating plan if you research it. You may find it beneficial for losing weight, but what you may not know is that a potentially serious downside exists.

What do murder, manslaughter and voluntary manslaughter mean?

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in violent crimes on Friday, March 1, 2019.

When it comes to the most serious violent crimes -- those that result in the loss of life -- the language surrounding these offenses may confuse defendants. While all allegations involving violent crimes require a serious approach to defense, it is important for defendants to understand exactly what the charges against them mean. The following sections include brief overviews of three serious charges: murder, manslaughter and voluntary manslaughter.

As you might expect, murder charges can mean defendants will face the most severe consequences if convicted. What separates murder from other crimes resulting in the loss of life is premeditation or planning to kill another person. For example, when someone spends days, weeks or months planning out how to kill someone else, the defendant will likely face murder charges.

Common offenses that could send your teen to court

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in juvenile crimes on Friday, February 15, 2019.

As children grow into young adults, they often begin experimenting with what they perceive as grownup behaviors. Unfortunately, many of these activities are illegal both for children and for adults. While kids will certainly be kids, engaging in juvenile crimes can send them down a troubled path. Even worse, it is sometimes difficult for these youths to deviate from this path once they have been processed through the legal system.

Moving smoothly into adulthood is difficult enough for Massachusetts teens without having one or more black marks against them. Making a few youthful mistakes should not continue to affect the lives of young adults when they reach maturity. As such, it is wise for parents to get involved right way if their teens face charges for juvenile crimes. Contact a defense lawyer early on so that you can protect your children from the long-lasting effects of the following common criminal charges.

Offenses involving theft
Vandalism or graffiti charges
Disorderly conduct or fighting
Offenses involving alcohol
Offenses involving marijuana or other illegal substances
Traffic offenses
Weapons charges
Assault, battery or bullying
Trespassing onto private or public property
Burglary or breaking and entering

Violent crimes: Exercising your Miranda rights

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in violent crimes on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

Most Americans agree that the Miranda warning is a simple yet valuable concept that can protect them from aggressive interrogation techniques. However, many people arrested or questioned in connection with violent crimes do not exercise their Miranda rights effectively.

As defense attorneys, we would like to make sure everyone in Franklin, Massachusetts, knows how to use the Miranda warning. When facing allegations that you participated in violent crimes, these rights might save you from a wrongful arrest or a wrongful conviction. The Miranda warning's purpose is to ensure that you understand two fundamental rights set forth in the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. These are:

The right not to say anything that will incriminate you, which is also known as the right to remain silent.
The right to defend yourself, which is also known as the right to have a lawyer present during talks with police.

Exposure to violence can make children commit crimes

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in juvenile crimes on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

When looking at why young people break the law, one of the most important things to consider is whether or not they were exposed to violence at an early age. If they were, researchers say that it makes them far more likely to engage in criminal activity as they grow up.

Some of the crimes that young people commit after this exposure include:

Drinking alcohol while under 21 years old
Abusing prescription drugs and using illegal drugs
Generally becoming delinquent
Engaging in all minor criminal behavior, such as vandalism or fighting

Do you know what to expect after an OUI arrest?

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

If you are among those in Massachusetts who believe it is no big deal to get behind the wheel of a car after having a few drinks, you likely do not fully understand the potential consequences of such as decision. In addition to the danger you present to yourself and others by driving while potentially impaired, you place your future in jeopardy by risking the severe penalties resulting from a conviction.

As strict as Massachusetts OUI laws are, they are likely to get even tougher after the recent legalization of marijuana for recreational use and the increasing concern that drivers are mixing drugs with alcohol. Finding an alternate method of getting where you need to go is the best way to avoid the trouble that can come with an OUI arrest. However, you may find that understanding the laws related to driving under the influence may help you make better choices.

Man breaks into house, cleans up, gets arrested

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

In a rather odd incident recently out of Massachusetts, a man allegedly broke into a home and then was arrested by the police while he was apparently trying to clean the place up.

Reports indicate that the man, who is 33 years old, entered the residence through a door that had been left unlocked. He removed his shoes and cleaned out the litter box for the homeowner's cat. He then started cleaning everything else inside.

Teen and adult male facing armed robbery charges in Boston

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in juvenile crimes on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

A 17-year-old and an adult man from Boston have been accused of getting involved in an armed robbery, and both have been arrested. The older man is just 21 years of age.

Both young men are facing charges of:

Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
Carrying a firearm despite not having a license for that firearm
Two counts of armed robbery while masked
Having a loaded firearm without a license

Do you really just get 1 phone call from jail?

On behalf of Cataldo Law Offices, L.L.C. posted in criminal defense on Friday, December 7, 2018.

You see it all the time on television: Someone gets arrested and told that they can have only one phone call. They may even demand it, saying it's a basic right. The police resentfully allow them that call, as if this right is somewhere in the Constitution -- even though it was drafted before phones were invented.

So, do you just get one call? Or is this a myth?