Those who drive while impaired in Massachusetts could face stiff criminal penalties. These punishments could be enhanced based on the facts of a specific case. For instance, if an individual had a blood alcohol content of .15% or higher, they may be subject to a...
When Massachusetts residents plead not guilty to DUI or other criminal charges, the next step in the process is usually what is known as a preliminary or pretrial hearing. This is often referred to as a trial that takes place before a trial, but the two procedures...
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution limits when law enforcement in Massachusetts can intrude on people's privacy. Generally, police need a judge to approve a search warrant before searching a person's property. In the absence of a search warrant, the law...
Police in Massachusetts have taken a man into custody in connection with a deadly March 16 shooting in Hampden County and several other violent crimes. The 22-year-old Springfield resident was denied bail when he appeared in Holyoke District Court on March 25. He...
A district court judge has ordered that an 18-year-old Massachusetts man accused of murder should remain in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility. The man was denied bail during an April 9 arraignment hearing that was held using teleconferencing technology...
One Massachusetts man is arguing that the criminal charges he is facing in the death of another man in 2018 are unjust and exaggerated. The man pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, and his attorney is saying that he should be instead charged with manslaughter. His...
Those in Massachusetts who enjoy reading crime news may be interested in a new policy being enacted in many newsrooms. Certain news outlets are choosing to no longer use online mugshot galleries. Because of the pervasiveness of the internet, many people feel that...
Some people may get a fairer trial in Massachusetts if their potential jurors are first instructed regarding race bias and other biases based on stereotypes. An article that appeared in the Seattle Journal for Social Justice by an Arizona assistant federal public...
In Massachusetts, drunk driving penalties can be serious. In 2005, a law known as Melanie's Law increased the sanctions that people could experience if they are convicted of operating under the influence, or OUI. While drunk driving charges are the most common cause...
If an individual in Massachusetts is taken into custody, there is no guarantee that he or she will be charged with a crime. In some cases, a prosecutor may decide to drop the charge after reading the police report. It is also possible that a judge determines that...
