A field sobriety test is a test given to identify if a person is impaired or intoxicated. Unlike a Breathalyzer test, this test doesn’t look at the body’s chemistry. Instead, it consists of three parts: The walk-and-turn test The horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) The...
Criminal Defense
What’s at stake with a second or third DUI in Massachusetts?
You probably already know that criminal penalties increase with the number of previous charges a person has had. Getting arrested a third time for the same offense will have far more consequences than a first-time charge. Even with offenses that don't involve...
Can a drug conviction make you ineligible for financial aid?
When you spent the majority of your time living alongside your parents, you may find yourself living an entirely new lifestyle once you get to college. Many college students experiment with drugs or alcohol while attending school, but if you are a recipient of...
Types of assault charges in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law defines assault as intending or trying to use force against another person. If this attempt succeeds, the offender could receive assault and battery charges, defined as deliberate nonconsensual or harmful contact with another person. When facing...
How can a DUI arrest affect your life?
Massachusetts has strict DUI laws. Even if the offense is your first run-in with the law, the state statutes set out a clear path of how the court will deal with it. You may not believe a one-time decision may impact so many other areas of your life, but it is...
Drug possession penalties in Massachusetts
An arrest for drug possession in Massachusetts can result in serious penalties, which vary depending on the type of drug, the amount and other factors. College students may be subject to sanctions from their universities as well as legal consequences such as fines,...
Chemical breath tests and Massachusetts law
Across the United States, it is common for authorities to administer a breath test to check blood alcohol when pulling someone over for potential drunk driving. After a brief suspension, prosecutors in Massachusetts can once again enter results into evidence at trial....
Quincy man charged with trafficking multiple drugs
According to recent reports, a 40-year-old Quincy man has been arrested on several drug charges, including trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute a class B drug and possession with intent to distribute class D drugs, which are prescription...
Immigrants now subject to public charge rule
On August 12, 2019 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security finalized what is known as the "public charge" rule. It is slated to go into effect on October 15, 2019 and has the potential to cause the great majority of immigrants to be denied a green card or visa. The...
Immigrants face uphill battle when accused of crimes
As the Trump administration continues its high-profile crackdown on immigration, many immigrants are worried. Some fear that anything they do to step out of line can endanger their immigration status.Recently, the administration announced a new rule that could deny...