An arraignment is typically the first court appearance required of an individual who is facing criminal charges (the defendant). You may have to attend an arraignment hearing if you get arrested in Massachusetts for driving under the influence, assault charges, or other crimes. You may also be called for an arraignment hearing if you're...

Having an open container of alcohol in your vehicle is a crime in many states, but Massachusetts is no longer one of them. As of February 21, 2020, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that an open alcohol container is not a crime in the Commonwealth. This does not mean that you can have an...

Being arrested for an alleged crime can be a frightening and stressful experience. It is important, however, to realize that you have rights you must protect. There are things you can do if you're arrested in Massachusetts that can drastically improve your odds of winning a criminal case. If you believe you are going...

Yes, you can face civil and criminal charges at the same time in Massachusetts. These are two separate justice systems with separate consequences for defendants. You may face a civil lawsuit against you from the injured victim of your crime at the same time as criminal charges from the government for the crime itself....

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today overturned a defendant's conviction for violating a restraining order, concluding that the Commonwealth had not proven a message sent to his ex-girlfriend from his Instagram account was written by him.  The name of the case is Commonwealth v. McMann.  (more…)