Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

The state of Massachusetts takes a firm stance on violent criminal activity. The state investigates assaults and homicides, and police officers arrest those accused of intentionally harming others. Those convicted of violent offenses may serve time in prison and may struggle to rebuild their lives due to the impact that a criminal record has on…

One of the most important things to know in criminal law is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor. It is important to know the difference for many reasons, but especially because of the severity of the punishment associated with one versus the other. Not all crimes are the same and we all know…

When it comes to criminal justice, understanding the basics of search and seizure law is essential. Search and seizure laws safeguard personal privacy, while still enabling law enforcement to gather evidence. These rules, based on the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, balance individual rights with public safety concerns. Knowing the basics of these laws…

Many people have a certain idea in mind when they think about computer hacking. They likely think of how it looks in the movies, with someone running sophisticated software to break through passwords and firewalls. They know that this is illegal because that person is gaining unauthorized access to a system. But the reality is…

If you are either at risk of being convicted of criminal wrongdoing or have already been sentenced to a term of incarceration, you may be wondering how best to protect your interests – and your loved ones – if/when you spend time in jail. What will happen to everything that you own? What will happen…

Massachusetts requires professional licensing for a number of different careers. Those working in certain medical professions, real estate jobs, commercial transportation and even architecture have to fulfill minimum educational requirements, undergo a background check and secure a state license. They then have to maintain that license by meeting professional standards and fulfilling continuing education requirements. Those…

The First Step Act, passed in December 2018, stands as a landmark legislation in the U.S. criminal justice system, as it aims to rectify many longstanding issues associated with excessive sentencing and prison overcrowding. This bipartisan act represents a significant shift in the criminal justice policy landscape, providing hope for many who have long sought…

The validity of unanimous jury verdicts entered the public sphere when the United States Supreme Court issued Ramos vs. Louisiana. The 2020 ruling struck down the retroactive status, representing a landmark decision mandating unanimous jury verdicts to convict suspects of serious crimes. Prior to the passage of unanimous jury verdicts, Evangelisto Ramos was convicted of…

Bad or bounced checks often don’t occur on purpose. Some people write checks that they think will be good that later bounce. You may have forgotten about an automatic draft scheduled for your quarterly insurance payment or that your paycheck would be short this week because you took several days off last week. Small oversights…

The stress from personal and financial problems mounted, and the circumstances behind these problems affected your judgment. In an attempt to end this financial downward spiral, you got the money you needed, but it was not from the right place. You took the money from your employer, who entrusted you with company funds. You were…