If Massachusetts law enforcement charges you with a crime, they must conduct their investigation correctly and legally. They have to inform you of your rights and obtain warrants to search your car or home. Sometimes, the authorities make mistakes and thus invalidate...
Turning clocks back increases the risk of traffic accidents
At the beginning of November, daylight saving time came to an end in Massachusetts, making days shorter and disrupting sleep patterns for area residents. Unfortunately, this can lead to an uptick in car accidents. According to AAA, turning the clock back can interrupt...
Community service burdens poor defendants
Massachusetts readers might be interested to learn that court-ordered community service harms low-income defendants of color, according to a new study. The study, which is entitled "Work, Pay, or Go to Jail: Court-Ordered Community Service in Los Angeles," was...
Going back to work with an arrest or prison record
There’s a lot of talk about the improving job market in Massachusetts and the rest of the United States. However, there are some people in America who desperately want to work but struggle to get hired. These are people with arrest records or who have served...
Domestic violence and its financial impact
Domestic violence is perhaps no less common in Massachusetts than other states. There are instances where one partner accuses the other of domestic assault. However, there are far more instances when these allegations are true. This may make it difficult, though not...
When juveniles end up in adult court for crimes committed
Vandalism is widely considered the most common crime committed by juveniles in Massachusetts. According to FindLaw, vandalism occurs when someone unlawfully changes, defaces or destroys property. Graffiti, keying cars, slashing tires and breaking windows are just some...
Mobile phones are a gold mind for fraud
Whether the owners of the mobile phones are the perpetrators or the victims, smart phones are becoming more and more involved in crimes at alarming rates. Theft by fraud is one of the main ways smart phones become involved in criminal activities in Massachusetts....
Former convicts deserve a fresh start
After serving jail or prison time in Massachusetts, there are often few opportunities for former convicts. All across America, their work opportunities are stifled by personal biases and 30,000 license restrictions. According to Forbes, these restrictions actually do...
Massachusetts jurors can let beliefs inform judgement
Every judge has a set of criteria to uses to measure whether an individual would make a good juror in a case. At the top of the list is that person's ability to have an open mind as evidence is presented. However, some look a little further, also expecting that a...
Trauma can lead to cases of mistaken identity
The recent shooting death of 7-year-old Texas girl Jazmine Barnes is a stark reminder of how trauma can affect memory. In this case, the innocent girl happened to be riding in a car that was fired upon when a gunman pulled up next to it in a parking lot. The composite...