If your child gets into legal trouble that leads to a criminal or delinquency proceeding, can you be asked to testify against them? Massachusetts is one of the states with statutes that recognize the parent-child privilege. This means as a parent, you generally cannot...
While the state may allow recreational marijuana, it is still important to understand the rules and the consequences of misuse. It is easy to misjudge how much you can legally possess, and exceeding that limit can quickly turn a simple mistake into a criminal charge....
Most people associate DUI with late-night parties or bar-hopping. Well, a surprising number of DUI arrests actually occur during the daytime. This is ignorable because day drinking is often viewed as more casual or harmless. However, even if someone consumes alcohol...
It is typically not lawful for underage people to consume alcohol. With occasional exceptions for religious observances, young adults generally have to abstain from consuming alcohol until they reach the legal drinking age of 21. Many people recognize that the state...
When you face criminal charges, the idea of going to trial can be overwhelming. Most cases end with a plea bargain, but many people are oblivious to the process. Knowing the basics of plea bargaining empowers you to make better decisions. A plea bargain is an...
Assault charges arise in many scenarios, from heated arguments that escalate to misunderstandings where innocent gestures are perceived as threats. Many people confuse assault with battery, not realizing that assault refers specifically to creating the fear of harm...
Allegations of operating under the influence (OUI) offenses frequently relate to alcohol. Police officers know how to screen people for signs of chemical intoxication on the road, and they conduct chemical testing to verify if individuals are over the legal limit for...
Police officers need to have a reason to pull a car over, and they can’t just perform random stops and then look for a violation after the fact. This is why a police officer can’t sit outside a bar and pull over every driver who gets in the car. Technically, the...
Teen incarceration can be a complex subject. On one hand, there are those who believe that it is a deterrent to crime. Teens who know they could serve jail time are less likely to break the law. Those who have been incarcerated, therefore, should be even more likely...
In Massachusetts, sentencing for violent crimes often considers the defendant's criminal history. Prior convictions can significantly influence the outcome as it impacts the length and severity of the sentence. The impact of past convictions Judges in Massachusetts...
