What can I do with a license? It is the burden of the Commonwealth to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you did not have license or authority to do something when you are charged with a crime. However, under G.L. c. 278 § 7 a person relying on a…
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Tags: Assault and Battery, Burden of Proof, Dismissal, Felony, Intent, License, License or Authority, Magistrate, Misdemeanor, Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, Specific Intent
Resisting arrest is a crime in Massachusetts under G.L. c. 268, § 32B. The charge covers two kinds of conduct: using or threatening force against an officer, or doing something that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury. Simply pulling awa…
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Tags: Arraignment, Arrest, Assault and Battery, Dismissed, Diversion, Felonies, Felony, Immigration Consequences, Misdemeanor, Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, Reckless Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Wanton Conduct
Most crimes require proof of a guilty state of mind, not just a guilty act. In Massachusetts, the jury instructions describe several mental states. Specific intent means acting with a purpose. General intent means acting deliberately, not by accident…
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You’ve been charged with assault and battery on a police officer or another public employee, or someone in your family has. Maybe it happened during an arrest, a traffic stop, or a tense moment with a city worker. This charge carries a minimum jail…
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Assault and battery causing serious bodily injury is an aggravated form of assault and battery under Massachusetts law...
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In August 2014, Massachusetts enacted a major rewrite of how the Commonwealth handles domestic-violence cases. Governor Deval Patrick signed St. 2014, c. 260 — An Act Relative to Domestic Violence — on August 8, 2014. Parts took effect immediatel…
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