A police officer says the plate on a car didn’t belong to that car, or that the plate was covered or missing. Now you have a citation or a court date for a charge under G.L. c. 90, § 23. Here’s what that charge means. At a Glance: Wrong Plates /…
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Massachusetts criminal law recognizes that free will is essential to the commission of a criminal act
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Tags: abusive relationship duress, Arraignment, Bill Barabino, coercion criminal defense, Criminal, Defenses, Duress, duress defense Massachusetts, Felony, Immigration Consequences, imminent threat, Indecent Assault, Misdemeanor, necessity vs duress
Shoplifting is a specific criminal offense under Massachusetts law. G.L. c. 266, § 30A covers a range of intentional acts involving retail merchandise—taking it, concealing it, switching price tags or containers, under-ringing the price, or removi…
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Tags: Arraignment, concealing merchandise, Dismissal, Dismissed, Diversion, G.L. c. 266 § 30A, General Intent, Immigration Consequences, Magistrate, penalty, price tag switching, Registry of Motor Vehicles, retail theft, Self Defense, Self Defense of Another, Self Defense of Property, Shoplifting, shoplifting Massachusetts, Stealing, Wanton Conduct
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 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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Larceny is the Massachusetts word for theft. Under G.L. c. 266, § 30, it covers three kinds of conduct: stealing, getting property by a false pretense, and embezzlement. This post covers the first and most common kind, larceny by stealing. Wheth…
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If you have been charged with a crime in Massachusetts, one of the best outcomes short of an outright dismissal is pretrial probation. You do not plead guilty. You do not admit anything. You follow a set of conditions for an agreed period, and if you…
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The criminal justice system can be confusing and overwhelming. For guidance about criminal procedures and help building a defense, contact a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. Learn the Information You Need About Your Criminal Defen…
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