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Use of a Motor Vehicle Wi…

Use of a Motor Vehicle Without Authority in Massachusetts: What G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a) Covers, What the Commonwealth Must Prove, and the Penalties

The police say you, or someone in your family, used a car without permission. Now there’s a court date for “use of a motor vehicle without authority.” That’s stressful, especially when the car belongs to a friend, a relative, or a rental comp…
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Phone Betting

Phone Betting

A defendant is charged with the crime of “use of telephone for betting” when he or she unlawfully is (ONE OR MORE): Using a telephone Permitting a telephone …for betting purposes. What is the law on phone betting? Commonwealth law states: “Wh…
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Harassing or Obscene Phon…

Harassing or Obscene Phone Calls and Messages in Massachusetts: What G.L. c. 269, § 14A Covers, What the Commonwealth Must Prove, and the Penalties

You’ve been charged with making harassing or obscene phone calls, or someone in your family has. The charge may be about calls, texts, emails, or social media messages. It’s a lot to take in, and you probably want to know what the law actually sa…
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Resisting Arrest

Resisting Arrest

What is Resisting Arrest? In Massachusetts, under M.G.L. c. 268, §32B, a person can be convicted of Resisting Arrest. Resisting Arrest means knowingly preventing or attempting to prevent a police officer from making an arrest by using or threatening…
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Disorderly Conduct and Di…

Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing the Peace in Massachusetts: What G.L. c. 272, § 53(b) Says, the Penalties, and How a Case Moves

Maybe it was a loud argument outside a bar. Maybe it was a scene at a game, a party, or a store. A police officer wrote something down, and now you have a notice, a summons, or a court date. The paper says “disorderly conduct” or “disturbing th…
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Differences Between Civil…

Differences Between Civil Infractions, Misdemeanors, and Felonies?

CIVIL INFRACTION: A civil infraction is a minor violation. Many traffic violations are civil infractions, such as speeding and running a red light. The punishment for a civil infraction is usually a fine. The fine may be a modest amount of money, but…
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