Our last post discussed the federal government's controversial decision to not change marijuana's drug classification. It remains a Schedule 1 substance according to federal drug laws. While that disappointed the many Massachusetts and U.S. supporters of marijuana...
Shifted views about marijuana don’t end in shifted classification
Earlier this month, Massachusetts added another medical marijuana dispensary to its state's list when the first dispensary in Boston opened its doors. Just several days later, the U.S. government confirmed that it would not reclassify marijuana from a Schedule 1 drug...
New year could usher in stricter first OUI sentencing
Years ago on our Massachusetts criminal defense blog, we wrote about the possible legislation that would require those convicted with first DUIs to have ignition interlock devices on their vehicles. Back then, the proposed law didn't pass. But here we are again,...
Keep your mouth shut: why it’s so important to exercise your right to remain silent
If you get pulled over or arrested, you will have to interact with the police. Many people think that cooperating with the police means telling them everything, but this can backfire. Information you provide when pulled over or arrested could be used against you....
Should police be protected under MA hate crime laws?
Tensions regarding race and violence by and to police have made it a volatile, emotional time in our history. Some of you may be personally impacted by events tied to the fights of "Black Lives Matter" and the twist on that slogan, "Blue Lives Matter." ...
Popularity of Internet makes life harder following arrest
No one wants to be arrested, charged with a crime, and certainly not convicted of a crime. At first thought, one might worry that getting involved in the criminal justice system looks like them sitting in a small and dirty jail cell. They might think of the freedom...
