The Miranda warning helps ensure that people know their civil rights. During encounters with police officers, people may need someone to remind them of their rights. Otherwise, they may fall victim to manipulative investigation and questioning tactics. For decades,...
Massachusetts considers a person between the ages of seven and eighteen charged with a criminal offense a juvenile. They are prosecuted in a juvenile court. A person who is eighteen or older is considered an adult. The case of such an individual is handled in a...
People who are pulled over for drunk driving may wonder how they end up in that position. One thing that must be present is reasonable suspicion, which means that police officers can’t pull over a vehicle just because they feel like it. Reasonable suspicion means...
Losing your license rearranges everything. The drive to work becomes a logistical puzzle. Picking up the kids gets harder. Whether the suspension came from operating under the influence (OUI), surchargeable events, an unpaid ticket or something else entirely, the next...
Drug charges tend to become significantly more complicated than they appear at the outset. What begins as a simple possession arrest can quickly escalate into a far more serious matter. That’s why it’s important to understand how prosecutors build these cases. Drug...
Youths who get into trouble with the police will sometimes face the juvenile justice system, but that’s not the only course of action that’s possible. Some youths may qualify for diversion programs that help to keep them out of the system. These diversion programs...
Even a small drug possession charge in Massachusetts can stick around longer than you might think. Some people assume misdemeanors disappear on their own, but Class A and B drug offenses usually stay on your record unless you take steps to address them. Understanding...
When your child faces criminal charges, you could face legal trouble too. In some cases, Massachusetts courts hold parents responsible for their children's criminal actions. Knowing how the state can charge you for your child's behavior helps you protect your family....
A police report about your child can make you worry about the court. In Massachusetts, a juvenile case does not always move straight to arraignment. Officials may review diversion first. Diversion places your child in a program instead of moving the case forward right...
A motion to suppress is a formal request to a Massachusetts judge to exclude evidence that police obtained unlawfully, usually by challenging searches, stops or statements that violated constitutional rights or state rules. If you suspect police misconduct, there are...
