Police officers can conduct targeted traffic stops when they suspect that someone has broken the law. When officers notice someone driving unusually slowly, swerving or otherwise behaving in a potentially impaired manner at the wheel, they might stop that driver and...
Criminal Defense
Why the right of discovery is valuable for criminal defendants
Those arrested on allegations of criminal conduct in Massachusetts often feel hopeless. The state may seem to have a strong case against them, and they might face what seem like unnecessarily extreme charges. Prosecutors often bring the harshest charges they can...
This alternate court can help some defendants avoid jail
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...
How doing the right thing can save you from drug charges
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....
Individuals sometimes forget their “right to remain silent”
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...
3 times police officers can search someone’s vehicle
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...
How to handle being stopped for suspected DUI in Massachusetts
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...
3 defense strategies that help people beat OUI charges
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...
What happens if you drive away from a traffic stop?
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...
3 things you never say at a traffic stop
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...