When police arrest a child in Massachusetts, parents often want to know whether they can bring their child home. In many cases, the answer is yes. However, release is not automatic. The child's age, the charges and other circumstances can affect what happens next....
Year: 2026
What happens after an arrest in Massachusetts?
After an arrest in Massachusetts, police generally take you to a station for booking. Officers record your identifying information, take fingerprints and a photograph and document the alleged offense. The next steps depend on whether officials release you before your...
Can a Massachusetts school search your child’s backpack?
Yes. A Massachusetts public school may search a student’s backpack, but only under specific conditions. Students keep Fourth Amendment protections at school, but the legal standard is lower than it would be for police. Reasonable suspicion still controls the search...
What to expect at your first court appearance for assault charges
In Massachusetts, your first court appearance for an assault charge may include an arraignment. The court generally addresses the charge, your plea, counsel and release conditions. A bail or dangerousness hearing may also occur in some cases. What happens at your...
Understanding Massachusetts school zone drug violations
In Massachusetts, a drug offense committed near a school can result in a separate mandatory prison sentence on top of any other penalty. For anyone facing these charges in or around Franklin, understanding how school zones are legally defined and how prosecutors use...

