Molari Law Insights
Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog
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Man Dodges Life Sentence After Successful Appeal in Massachusetts
Most people know that in order to be found guilty of murder, prosecutors must prove your guilt "beyond reasonable doubt." While this might seem reassuring, it is clear that many people are convicted of murder in Boston despite the clear absence of…
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Major Fentanyl Drug Bust in Massachusetts Leads to Serious Trafficking Charges
Back in 2023, law enforcement in Massachusetts uncovered what has been described by some media sources as a “secret drug lab,” leading to serious fentanyl trafficking charges for several defendants. The operation was extensive, and photographs from the bust…
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What Happens if You Try to Steal a Police Cruiser in Boston?
Whatever the situation might be, attempting to steal a police cruiser is always a bad idea. However, this type of offense is more common than many realize. Countless viral videos show individuals jumping into police vehicles and speeding away – and this type…
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Road Rage Incident Leads to Murder Charges in Brockton
In April of 2024, the American Automobile Association reported that road rage incidents were increasing in Massachusetts. The agency says that this issue has become particularly problematic after the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous incidents throughout Boston…
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Karen Read Murder Trial: Interviews Could Affect New Trial
In February 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Court rejected Karen Read’s double jeopardy claim – paving the way for a second trial. Prosecutors can now retry her on all three charges related to the death of her former boyfriend – a Boston police officer. A…
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Defendant Humiliated by Media After Becoming Stuck in Chimney
It is easy to forget that criminals are human beings, too. Often, these people are driven to crimes by economic desperation – and not by choice. These financial pressures are becoming increasingly difficult in modern America, and the more fortunate should…
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Teen Dies After Head-On Collision With Alleged Drunk Driver in Braintree
The criminal justice system enforces much more strict penalties for DUIs when they cause serious injuries or deaths. In addition, the general public may be much less sympathetic toward alleged drunk drivers who cause crashes that kill teens and children. This…
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Questions Raised After Boston Police Fail to Follow Up on DNA Evidence
Most people do not realize that a relatively low percentage of violent crime cases in Boston ever lead to arrests. Fewer still lead to convictions. This may be surprising to those who base their perception of police on TV shows and movies, in which the…
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Recent Boston Case Shows That Self-Defense Must Be “In The Moment”
Although Massachusetts does not have the strongest self-defense laws in the nation, one can still legally fight back against an attacker. If there are no other options remaining, one might even be justified in using deadly force. But if you want to defend…
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Police Arrest Robbery Suspects Under Questionable Circumstances
Sometimes, people find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Although this might sound like a cliche, this type of situation has put countless innocent people behind bars. Often, police are far too eager to arrest anyone in the vicinity of a crime…
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Commonwealth Pushes Back Against Search Warrant that “Lacked Particularity”
When it comes to drug search warrants in Massachusetts, an important requirement is something called “particularity.” According to the Fourth Amendment, all search warrants must describe the specific items that authorities expect to seize in their searches.…
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Two Arrested Under Questionable Circumstances After Fatal Shooting in Dorchester
Although Northeastern University states that Boston homicides are down 82% in 2024, fatal shootings continue to occur. Even a single fatal shooting in a major US city is a tragedy, and it is difficult to tell a grieving family that these incidents are just…
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Massachusetts Man Successfully Appeals Assault and Battery Convictions Based on Questionable Surveillance Evidence
Surveillance footage represents crucial evidence in many Massachusetts criminal trials, and at first glance, it might seem irrefutable. However, this footage may be less reliable than many realize. Putting aside the potential for pixelated and unclear film,…
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Secret Recording by Undercover Officer Inadmissible During Drug Trafficking Trial in Massachusetts
Undercover officers often carry out “controlled buys,” setting up alleged drug dealers while claiming to be actual customers. This strategy is somewhat controversial, and it raises potential questions about entrapment. Putting that issue aside, there is also…
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How to Access Officer Disciplinary Records During a Criminal Trial in Massachusetts
Over the past year, there has been a major push toward transparency in the criminal justice system. Citizens have demanded access to various police records, and the legal system has mostly acquiesced. Today, it is easier than ever to access officer…
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Boston Police Lieutenant Sentenced for Sexually Abusing His Child
One of the more disturbing chapters of the Boston Police Department’s recent history has seemingly come to a close, with a disgraced lieutenant sentenced to between four and six years in prison. The defendant had previously confessed to sexually abusing his…
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Questions Raised Over Bail for Migrant Accused of Sex Crime
Sex crimes tend to elicit a strong reaction from the general public. Since time immemorial, these offenses have been seen as particularly heinous. Juries have little sympathy for sex criminals in Massachusetts , and even though the court is supposed to be…
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New Massachusetts Ruling Clarifies the Legal Definition of "Firearms"
Many Americans have a clear idea of what a firearm is. Most would say that it is a gun of some kind capable of firing cartridges using the chemical reaction of explosive gunpowder. However, not all states agree – and various jurisdictions define firearms in…
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High School Essay Leads to Sex Crime Charges in Massachusetts
Sometimes, the most unexpected things can trigger police investigations and subsequent criminal investigations. Recently, a high school essay published by a student caused a criminal investigation in Massachusetts – eventually leading to a charge of…
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CJIS Testimony About Firearms Records is Hearsay in Massachusetts
In an important recent decision, the Commonwealth ruled that a representative of the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) could not testify about the results of a firearms registry records search conducted by a different CJIS employee.…