The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday, 87 to 12, to pass the First Step Act, an act that aims to overhaul the federal criminal justice system including limiting prison sentences.
ADB
I’m Being Pulled Over for Drunk Driving … What Do I Do?
There are few feelings worse than having a police cruiser behind you, lights flashing, after you have made the poor decision to get behind the wheel of your car after having a few drinks or more. At that point, what’s done is done and you need to think quickly about protecting yourself against the considerable consequences of even a first conviction for OUI…
5 Things to do Right Away if You’ve Been in an Accident
If you’re injured in a motor vehicle or premises liability accident, there are a few things you (or someone on your behalf) can do (or not do) right away to help maximize your recovery. Obviously, any of these things are secondary to your staying safe and seeking emergency medical treatment.
CORI Sealing Updates Effective Oct. 14th
The Criminal Justice Reform Act supplied much needed changes to numerous aspects of criminal justice here in Massachusetts, many of which have just gone into effect. Here is a quick cheat sheet of the changes that are happening including provisions regarding CORI Sealing and what employers are allowed to seek during the hiring process.
Private Attorney vs. Public Defender
Defendants in a criminal case often have to make a decision about representation – whether to hire their own lawyer or just accept the public defender that will be appointed to them. Private attorneys can provide more proactive representation by working on your case before you have to go to court…
Read More…
Why Get a Lawyer for a Clerk Magistrate Hearing?
When seeking help for a Clerk Magistrate hearing, potential clients inevitably ask whether they really need to hire a lawyer for the hearing, or if is something they can do on their own? My answer is naturally the same every time – if you want to make the most out of the only opportunity to avoid a criminal record, hire an attorney now…
Surprising Verdict in Murder of Kathryn Steinle Should be Respected
Based on what’s been reported, I’m surprised the jury didn’t find this Defendant (undocumented immigrant Jose Garcia Zarate) guilty of at least involuntary manslaughter in the death of Kathryn Steinke, which requires only a negligent act resulting in death. If you have a gun in your hand, and it accidentally fires, that’s arguably per se […]
MA House Votes to Reform Juvenile Justice System
The juvenile justice system in Massachusetts moved towards reform as the House of Representatives in the Massachusetts General Court passed a bill on Tuesday. The proposed bill provides greater protections for juveniles (ages 7-17) that encounter the criminal justice system. Among the legislation passed through the House includes laws allowing individuals the ability to expunge […]
SJC Narrows Admissibility of Field Sobriety Tests in OUI Marijuana Cases
At the end of September, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), the Commonwealth’s highest appellate court, released a new and impactful decision pertaining to the admissibility of Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) at trial to prove whether an individual is deemed to have driven under the influence of marijuana. In Commonwealth v. Gerhardt, the SJC narrowed […]