Court System

The Power of the Jury Trial

There has been a lot written lately about how the jury trial is an endangered species. While it it true that most criminal complaints resolve short of a jury trial (through a plea deal) many cases can and must go to trial.

Many serious offenses in the Commonwealth, such as Indecent Assault and Battery Under 14, require those convicted to register as sex offenders; the laws are often written to prohibit defendants from making plea deals to avoid the registration requirement. […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:37:57+00:00September 6, 2018|Constitutional Law, Court System, Criminal Justice, Legal Overviews|0 Comments

Help Yourself Online

If you are reading this post, chances are that you have at least one and probably multiple social media accounts. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. are all great platforms to share your passions and stay connected with friends and family. But what you share can also be used by people who are not your friends.

Take, for instance, the case of an auto accident. If you have been injured and are seeking compensation, you must be sure […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:37:57+00:00June 12, 2018|Court System, Criminal Justice, Legal Overviews, Personal Injury|0 Comments

Dangerous Weapons
Gallery
Dangerous Weapons

Court System, Criminal Justice, Legal Overviews

Dangerous Weapons

Massachusetts laws are often written in colorful or archaic language. One such example concerns the offense of “Carrying a Dangerous Weapon” (M.G.L. ch. 269 §10).

Subsection (b) of this law deals with non-firearm weapons, and begins by enumerating a long list of weapons that are inherently dangerous, including a:

“stiletto, dagger or a device or case which enables a knife with a locking blade to be drawn at a locked position, any ballistic knife . . . dirk knife, any […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:37:57+00:00February 7, 2018|Court System, Criminal Justice, Legal Overviews|0 Comments

Bail: What you need to know.

Bail is a very important matter for those facing criminal charges. At arraignment, the Commonwealth, though the Assistant District Attorney, will often request bail. The Defense Attorney will also make a bail request, and then the judge must decide how much bail, if any, to impose.

A recent decision by the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) has outlined the factors to be considered in setting bail. The most important development from this new ruling, Brangan v. Commonwealth […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:37:58+00:00November 6, 2017|Constitutional Law, Court System, Criminal Justice, Legal Overviews|0 Comments

Sealing Criminal Records (CORI) in Massachusetts

Nobody’s perfect; if you’ve been charged with a crime, the charge, regardless of the outcome of the case, is likely a part of your criminal record, known in Massachusetts as your CORI (criminal offender record information). Such information is routinely used by prospective employers and landlords; if you have a criminal record, you may be disqualified for jobs or housing, despite your credentials.

Thankfully, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made it easier for individuals to have their criminal records sealed. […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:37:58+00:00April 14, 2016|Court System, Criminal Justice|0 Comments

Overview of the Massachusetts Court System

The Massachusetts court system is vast and can be confusing, especially for litigants going it alone, or pro se. Although we may think ourselves expert DIY-ers, attempting to navigate the courts without an attorney is akin to navigating Boston Harbor without a chart… you might make it, but the chance of running aground on submerged hazards is high.

Trial Courts

District Courts are the rough-and-tumble bedrock of the court system; there are 62 of them in cities and towns throughout the […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:38:15+00:00November 11, 2014|Court System, Legal Overviews|0 Comments