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This post will discuss recent changes to Massachusetts law on four legal issues: Parent testimonial disqualification Drug rehabilitation Sentencing of a primary caretaker of a dependent child Criminal Justice Reform Many parents will ask: Can they ma…

What is restorative justice? Restorative justice is a voluntary process by which offenders collectively identify and address obligations resulting from an offense. So, under the system, the offender accepts responsibility for his or her actions. The…

Young people sometimes make dangerous decisions involving alcohol. When someone becomes unconscious, needs medical attention, or is at risk of harming themselves or others because of intoxication, the last thing the law should do is discourage bystan…

In most Massachusetts criminal cases, the judge can choose among outcomes such as a continuance without a finding, probation, a suspended sentence, or jail. A mandatory minimum takes most of those options away. If you are convicted of an offense that…

What are the punishments for being convicted of more than one OUI? The more times a person is found guilty of an OUI, “Operating Under the Influence” , the greater the penalties are for multiple or subsequent offenses. Massachusetts law has recen…

When someone is arrested in Massachusetts, one of the first practical questions is whether they will be released — and on what terms. Bail is part of that answer. It is not a fine, not a finding of guilt, and not meant to punish. Under Massachusett…

Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license is a common charge in Massachusetts District Courts...

How does the Commonwealth prove a defendant guilty of annoying or accosting a person? In order to prove a defendant guilty of annoying or accosting a person, the Commonwealth must prove the following four elements of the offense beyond a reasonable d…