Criminal Defense

The biggest concern most people have when facing criminal charges in Massachusetts is the risk of going to jail. No one wants to lose their freedom. Defendants may also worry about how time in state custody could hurt their relationships or their careers. Many...

As stronger and more lethal drugs become increasingly easy to obtain, law enforcement and health officials continue to look for ways to minimize the mounting death toll from overdoses. Many overdose victims can be saved if they get the right help in time....

Most Americans know their Miranda rights by heart – simply from years of watching the Law & Order franchise and other TV shows and movies. When you’re the one being pulled over or stopped by police, however, don’t expect to remember them. The “right to remain...

Federal rules and also Massachusetts court precedent both help protect members of the public from state overreach. Police officers cannot conduct a search just because they want to go through someone's property and find a reason to arrest them, for example. There are...

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in Massachusetts punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years. Therefore, when you get pulled over for a suspected DUI, it’s important...

Drivers in Massachusetts could get arrested for an operating under the influence (OUI) charge because they fail a breath test during a traffic stop or after a car crash. Displaying poor ability at the wheel might also lead to an officer arresting someone on suspicion...

When someone’s stopped for a traffic violation and they’ve been drinking, panic can easily set in. The first instinct some people have is to flee – driving off as soon as the officer is far enough away from their vehicle that escape seems possible. Don’t give into...

The moment you see the patrol car signaling you to stop, your heart may start racing – especially if you have had a drink or two earlier. In these kinds of situations, drivers often worry whether the officer will detect the odor of alcohol on their breath or notice...

In Massachusetts, accusations of impaired driving will usually result in the loss of your driver's license. In fact, state lawmakers increased the driving-related consequences of an impaired driving charge in 2005 by passing Melanie's Law. Exactly how long you might...

Alcohol lowers your inhibitions. It makes it easier for you to take risks or do things that you would never do otherwise. It can break down some of these social conventions – your ideas about the way people expect you to act – or just make people more likely to act...