Is it illegal to falsely report a crime? Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 13A punishes people who falsely report a crime. To be convicted of this offense, the person reporting the crime must have acted deliberately and not made a mista…
What does the government have to show to prove that the defendant illegally transferred sound recordings? In order to prove a defendant guilty of the offense of unauthorized transfer of sound recordings, the Commonwealth must prove the following four…
This post will discuss two common prostitution crimes: Pimping Common Nightwalker What is pimping? If a person knows another person is a prostitute or lives or derives support or maintenance, partially or completely, from the earnings or proceeds fro…
How does someone willfully interfere with a fire fighting operation? To prove a defendant guilty of willfully interfering with a fire fighting operation, the Commonwealth must prove that: That the defendant obstructed, interfered with, or hindered a…
This post will answer some frequently asked questions on the crime of having the wrong license plate on a motor vehicle. What is attaching wrong plates to conceal identity? Under Commonwealth law, it is a crime to attach the wrong license plates to a…
How do I get a hardship license? Every person charged with an OUI/DWI charge wants to know, how soon it will take to get their license back. Attached is a Hardship Information Form that you can use for a guide to get you started. Also, you were find…
What is an affray? An “affray” is the fighting of people in a public place to the terror of the persons there. Engaging in an affray with another person is a crime under Commonwealth law. Note that nothing in the definition of affray prevents a d…
What are prior bad acts? When a defendant is not charged with committing any crime other than the charge or charges in the complaint, oftentimes there is mention of other acts allegedly done by the defendant separate from the crime in question. These…
Strangulation isn’t a new concept. We are all aware of it. However, the laws surrounding the acts have changed. In the past, someone accused of it faced assault and battery or attempted murder. Now, the Commonwealth has a separate crime called…
How does the government prove that I did not use an ignition interlock device? In order to prove a defendant guilty of the offense of failing to have an ignition interlock device, the Commonwealth must prove all of the following beyond a reasonable d…
