Massachusetts criminal statutes allow for the prosecution of anyone found to be illegally in possession of a drug. Possessing certain substances, like methamphetamine, is always illegal. Even prescription medications can lead to possession charges if someone doesn't...
Criminal Defense
When can police officers skip securing a search warrant?
The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides specific protections for citizens. This amendment sets the standards for searches and seizures. Most of the time, law enforcement officers need a warrant before they can conduct a search/seizure of a...
Charged with a crime? Stay off social media
If you are like most American adults, you use social media platforms as a medium for sharing personal moments, opinions and experiences. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. However, if you have been charged with a crime, it’s time to log off until your case...
The 3 types of criminal intent
Intent does not matter in every criminal case. Someone may not have had any intent to break the law, but they still did so negligently or ignorantly. They could still face charges. Just because someone doesn’t know what the legal limit is, for instance, they could...
What should you know about plea deals?
Understanding plea deals is crucial for defendants who have been accused of wrongdoing. These arrangements involve a defendant agreeing to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to one of multiple charges in exchange for certain concessions. Plea deals can vary widely but...
Why would someone make a false confession?
A false confession is when someone claims they have committed a crime and admits it to the authorities or even in court, despite the fact that they never broke the law. They didn’t do what they have been accused of doing, and yet they’re admitting to it anyway,...
Do police officers make mistakes?
The majority of police officers go into the profession to make the world a better place. They want to reduce crime within their jurisdiction. For the most part, this is precisely what they try to do each day. Nonetheless, police officers are only human which means...
3 things to know about Miranda rights
Many people have heard Miranda rights read on television shows and in movies. One of the fundamental rights is the right to remain silent. This is a critical protection for anyone who may be facing criminal charges. This right to remain silent prevents you from having...
Is the “crime of passion” defense actually helpful?
When someone claims that an event was a “crime of passion”, they are saying that they reacted emotionally. They weren’t thinking about what they were doing because they were overcome by these emotions. For example, someone gets home a day early from a business trip...
Is a claim of self-defense the right response to assault charges?
A broad assortment of different situations could lead to assault charges in Massachusetts. Sometimes, a discussion at a bar or party ends in interpersonal aggression. Other times, someone feels compelled to step up to protect another person or prevent a crime from...
