Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog

Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog

Unlawful Possession of a Gun

Unless you fit certain exemptions outlined in MGL c. 269 s. 10, you can face a stiff penalty for knowingly possessing or knowingly having a firearm (loaded or unloaded) in your car. In the Commonwealth, you can face a mandatory minimum 18 months in jail or up to five years in state prison. If you have been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, you should speak with a criminal defense attorney immediately about your case.

Massachusetts has the most regulated and strict laws in the nation concerning guns and firearms.  In fact, Massachusetts does not recognize gun permits from other states. Licensed gun owners in the Commonwealth have to be responsible gun owners who take gun laws and safety seriously while they exercise their right to carry.

In order to be convicted for the unlawful possession of a firearm, the prosecution must prove four factors beyond a reasonable doubt.

  • The prosecution must prove that you possessed the firearm on your personage (body) or inside your car.

  • The prosecution must prove that the weapon you possess is a firearm. Under Massachusetts law, a firearm is defined as a pistol, revolver, or another weapon, whether loaded or unloaded. The firearm must be capable of discharging a shot or bullet with a barrel length less than 16 inches. The prosecution must prove that these elements are a part of the definition of a firearm.

  • The prosecution must prove that you knowingly possessed a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded. If someone else placed the firearm in your car without your knowledge, you cannot be convicted.

  • The prosecution must prove you did not have a valid license to carry or did not have the required registration card to carry that firearm in the state of Massachusetts.

If you have been charged with the unlawful possession of a gun, whether loaded or unloaded, you need to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who can create a defense strategy that can help your case.

M.G.L. c. 269, § 10(h) decrees that any individual who carries on his person or has under his control in a vehicle a loaded firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants, or stimulant substances will face stiff penalties if convicted. A conviction for this offense is punishable with a fine up to $5,000 and imprisonment in a house of correction for up to two and a half years. You may be required to serve time and pay a fine. Gun charges in the Commonwealth are serious and can affect your ability to find employment or housing. When you are facing gun charges of any kind in Massachusetts, you need to seek legal advice immediately.

If you have been charged with unlawful possession of a gun or firearm, whether it is a loaded or unloaded gun, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney. The consequences can be devastating and life changing. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case. Contact Attorney Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

Tags: 
Criminal Defense

Massachusetts Traffic Laws and Violations

In the Commonwealth, there are many different types of traffic violations. Motorists need to stay up to speed on the various traffic violations and the penalties in case they are charged with breaking one of the many traffic laws. Some of offenses carry severe punishments that may have a negative impact on a defnedant’s driving record and cause a suspension of his or her driver's license, as well as an increase in his or her insurance premiums. If you are charged with a traffic violation, you should speak with a criminal defense attorney.

Some of the more common driving offenses in Massachusetts include:

  • Careless or reckless driving

  • Speeding (traveling over the posted speed limit)

  • Driving without a license

  • Driving without car insurance

  • Driving with a suspended, revoked, or expired driver's license

  • Failure to respect and obey a law enforcement official

  • Driving while impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Young drivers under the age of 18 may face different punishments for their traffic violations. In the Commonwealth, younger drivers are not permitted to carry passengers or operate a vehicle after certain hours. Young drivers who have a permit cannot drive without the presence of a licensed driver. If a driver carries passengers before the legal age to do so, he or she will face a 60-day license suspension and have to pay a license reinstatement fee. If a driver under 18 years old is caught speeding, he or she will face a 90-day license suspension and must pass a driver retraining course in addition to paying a license reinstatement fee. Young drivers caught using a cell phone will face a 60-day license suspension and a fine.

As a motorist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you should know the laws and penalties you might face when you break a traffic law. Below, are traffic laws that motorists should know before they drive on the highways of the Commonwealth.

 

If you have been charged with a road or traffic violation, you need to speak with a criminal defense attorney. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case. Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

Tags: 
Criminal Defense

Speeding in a Construction Zone

You may believe that speeding in a construction zone at 2 am is okay when there are no construction workers around. You may think it is even fun to be a daredevil on the road. But you should think twice before speeding through a construction zone, with or without a crew present. The consequences can be devastating in both cases. You should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately to learn what you should do to reduce or eliminate the charges against you.

The penalties for speeding are significantly higher when they occur inside a construction or work zone. A moving violation fine for speeding in a construction zone is much greater than those for other moving violations. Construction zones may include:

  • Highway or roadway improvement projects

  • Public utility work or construction areas

  • City or state infrastructure enhancement projects

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 17, a law enforcement official (local police officer or MA state trooper) can give a motorist a ticket for speeding in a construction zone or construction area. According to Chapter 90 Section 17, "Any person in violation of this section, while operating a motor vehicle through the parameters of a marked construction zone or construction area, at a speed which exceeds the posted limit, or at a speed that is greater than is reasonable and proper, shall be subject to a fine of 2 times the amount currently in effect for the violation issued." The officer may include additional surcharges to the amount you have to pay. Furthermore, if you are found guilty of speeding in a construction zone, your insurance will most likely increase.

The reason your insurance will go up is because speeding in a construction zone is considered a moving violation in the Commonwealth. Your citation will be viewed by the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles as a surchargeable occurrence resulting in additional points to your license. You will experience an increase in your insurance premiums for several years.

If you want to appeal your traffic ticket for speeding in a construction zone, you can appeal the traffic ticket in district court. Read the directions on the back of your ticket, and follow the directions carefully. When you request an appeal of your traffic ticket, you will receive a notice in the mail asking you to appear for a Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions (CMVI) Clerk Magistrate's Hearing. A criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the court system and appeal process. Your attorney can explain your legal rights, defenses, and legal options for your case.

If you have been charged with speeding in a construction zone, you need to speak with a criminal defense attorney. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney, Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case. Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

Tags: 
Criminal Defense

Plea Bargain Agreements

Law enforcement organizations make many arrests, ranging from violent crimes to traffic violations. Most jurisdictions have a backlog of cases to hear. You might think that all of these arrests result in criminal trials by which the prosecution (state or federal government) takes the individuals arrested or charged with a crime to court for a conviction and punishment.

In reality, this does not always happen. A majority of criminal cases are resolved through plea bargain agreements. In a plea bargain, the defendant agrees to admit to committing a crime and the prosecution agrees to be more lenient by dropping some of the charges and providing a lighter sentence. If the defendant had gone to trial and lost the case, the punishment would usually have been more severe.

In Massachusetts, plea bargaining is a significant part of the court and criminal justice system. A large percent of criminal cases in the Commonwealth result in some form of plea agreement instead of going to a trial by jury. However, individuals need to make sure that they fully understand plea bargain agreements, and the advantages or drawbacks they might have on their cases. There are many factors that can impact your plea bargain agreement, such as the specific facts involving your case, your criminal history, or your financial situation. In some cases, the decision to accept a plea bargain is not always easy. You should discuss plea bargain agreements with your criminal defense attorney and allow him or her to explain plea deals and their impacts on your case.

In a plea bargain agreement, the prosecution and defense will each give up something to get something in return. The prosecution gives up the right to take a case to trial and prosecute the case to the fullest extent of the law. However, the prosecution will still be able to make a conviction against a defendant. On the other hand, a defendant agrees to plead guilty of a crime and waives the right to a jury trial. In return, he or she experiences a more favorable treatment or punishment from the prosecution.

Usually, when your criminal defense attorney advises you to consider a plea agreement, he or she feels a jury or judge would find the defendant guilty of the crime. Plea agreements are created when there is overwhelming evidence against the defendant by the prosecution. Going to trial is not advisable, and the plea deal can become a benefit to the defendant who will not have to face a trial by jury.

Plea bargaining offers many practical benefits, such as that defendants do not have to spend time and money defending themselves in a court trial. The prosecution will save time and money by not having to go through a long trial. The prosecution and defense do not have to endure the uncertainty of a trial. Also, the court system does not have to spend time conducting a trial for every crime committed.

If you have been charged with a crime and want to know more about plea bargain agreements for your case, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case.  Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

Tags: 
Criminal Defense

Sexting and Child Pornography Laws

Another Sandusky is back in the news for inappropriate behavior involving a minor. This time, it is Jerry Sandusky's adopted son, Jeffrey, who was arrested and charged with allegedly sexting sexual comments and suggestive messages to two teenage girls. If this is true, he may be sitting in prison right next to his father, Jerry, the former Penn State University assistant football coach, who is serving at least 30 years in prison for child abuse.

Sexting is on the rise. Sexting is the transmittal of nude or suggestive material or language via text messaging from a cell phone, smartphone, computer, or other computer-based devices.  Sending such messages to unwilling individuals and minors can lead to serious criminal charges and consequences. If you are charged with this crime, you should contact a criminal justice attorney immediately.

Sexting is a relatively new crime. At present, there are no sexting laws that punish those found guilty of this act. However, if sexual images or materials are sent via a text message to a child under 18 years old, the perpetrator may be prosecuted under the Commonwealth's child pornography laws. The penalties are stiff and unforgiving if convicted. Below are some excerpts from Massachusetts General Law and the punishment, if convicted of child pornography and sex crimes involving minors.

MGLA 272 28 - Matter harmful to minors; dissemination; possession

Section 28. Whoever purposefully disseminates to a person he knows or believes to be a minor any matter harmful to minors, as defined in section 31, knowing it to be harmful to minors, or has in his possession any such matter with the intent to disseminate the same to a person he knows or believes to be a minor, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than 5 years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than 21/2 years, or by a fine of not less than $1000 nor more than $10,000 for the first offense, not less than $5000 nor more than $20,000 for the second offense, or not less than $10,000 nor more than $30,000 for a third or subsequent offenses, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

MGLA 272 §29 Dissemination or possession of obscene matter; punishment, defense

Section 29. Whoever disseminates any matter which is obscene, knowing it to be obscene, or whoever has in his possession any matter which is obscene, knowing it to be obscene, with the intent to disseminate the same, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or by a fine of not less than one thousand nor more than ten thousand dollars for the first offense, not less than five thousand nor more than twenty thousand dollars for the second offense, or not less than ten thousand nor more than thirty thousand dollars for the third and subsequent offenses, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

MGLA 272 §29A - Posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity or sexual conduct; punishment

Section 29A. (a) Whoever, either with knowledge that a person is a child under eighteen years of age or while in possession of such facts that he should have reason to know that such person is a child under eighteen years of age, and with lascivious intent, hires, coerces, solicits or entices, employs, procures, uses, causes, encourages, or knowingly permits such child to pose or be exhibited in a state of nudity, for the purpose of representation or reproduction in any visual material, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than ten nor more than twenty years, or by a fine of not less than ten thousand nor more than fifty thousand dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

MGLA 272 §29B - Dissemination of visual material of child in state of nudity or sexual conduct; punishment

Section 29B. (a) Whoever, with lascivious intent, disseminates any visual material that contains a representation or reproduction of any posture or exhibition in a state of nudity involving the use of a child who is under eighteen years of age, knowing the contents of such visual material or having sufficient facts in his possession to have knowledge of the contents thereof, or has in his possession any such visual material knowing the contents or having sufficient facts in his possession to have knowledge of the contents thereof, with the intent to disseminate the same, shall be punished in the state prison for a term of not less than ten nor more than twenty years or by a fine of not less than ten thousand nor more than fifty thousand dollars or three times the monetary value of any economic gain derived from said dissemination, whichever is greater, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

As you can see, the punishment for child pornography and sex crimes involving minors may have severe consequences and punishment. A conviction for these crimes is an automatic felony. Crimes involving children and pornography are never a misdemeanor in the Commonwealth. These crimes are considered to be sex crimes, and a convicted perpetrator will have to register as a sex offender for the next 20 years in Massachusetts. This will create personal hardship and public embarrassment to those found guilty of these crimes.

If you have been accused or charged with disseminating child pornography, sexting to a minor or other sex crime involving a child, you should immediately consult a criminal defense attorney. The consequences can be devastating and a conviction will most likely include jail or prison time. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney, Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case. Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

Tags: 
Criminal Defense

Massachusetts Breathalyzer Drama Comes to an End

The ongoing drama involving faulty breathalyzer tests in the Commonwealth may see an end with a victory for some and defeat for others. The journey to this point has been a statewide saga involving law enforcement, defendants, attorneys, prosecutors, and the court. Here is some background to bring you up to speed on this evolving issue that impacts so many people facing OUI/DUI charges in Massachusetts.

In 2011, Massachusetts introduced a new breath-test machine called the Alcotest 9510. The device was manufactured by Draeger Safety Diagnostics Inc. of Irving, Texas. However, some say the Alcotest 9510 was not tailored to the Commonwealth's regulations and was not operating correctly during some tests. In fact, the state's Executive Office of Public Safety and Security said that some breathalyzer machines were never programmed with the accurate calibration settings for the state. On the other side of the story, a small number of breath tests conducted by law enforcement on suspected drunk drivers were not accurate because of mistakes made by the arresting officer and not because the machines were not working properly. Does the truth lie somewhere in the middle? You need to ask a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.

Meanwhile, over 500 defendants have joined a consolidated case that is being heard in Concord District Court that challenges the reliability of the breathalyzer test and seeks to exclude blood-alcohol readings from the drunk driving cases involed. Furthermore, hundreds of drunk driving cases in Massachusetts have been put on hold as a judge prepares to rule on whether the evidence produced by Alcotest 9510 is sound and admissible in court.

The verdict is now out in this ever-changing saga of the faulty breathalyzer tests. Recently, Judge Robert Brennan, Justice of the District Court, gave his ruling in this matter. "Accordingly, the Court DENIES the consolidated defendants’ Motion to Exclude Breath Alcohol Content Percentage Results Using the Alcotest 9510 and Any Opinion Testimony for any breathalyzer results from a machine calibrated and certified after September 14, 2014, but ALLOWS the motion as to any results produced by a device calibrated and certified between June of 2012 and September 14, 2014, subject to the possibility of a case-by-case demonstration of the reliability of OAT’s calibration of a particular device to a trial judge in the court in which the Commonwealth seeks to offer the result as evidence." (COMMONWEALTH v. EVANDO ANANIAS, CHRISTIAN FIGUEROA, AND OTHERS)

In his 33-page decision, Judge Brennan, ruled that the between June 2012 and September 14, 2014 the Alcotest 9510 did not produce scientifically reliable blood-alcohol readings in the Commonwealth. This is a victory for those whose drunk and driving arrests occurred prior to September 14, 2014 but a crushing defeat for those whose arrests took place after this date. The evidence revealed from Alcotest 9510 could be included in your court case.

If you want to know how this recent ruling will affect your pending OUI/DUI case in Massachusetts consult a criminal defense attorney. An OUI/DUI conviction can have devastating effects on your professional and personal life. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney, Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case.  Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

Tags: 
OUI/DUI

What is an Expungement?

A criminal conviction can create havoc in your life. It may make it difficult to find a job, rent an apartment, go back to school, or adopt or foster a child. Your criminal history can lead people to shun you. However, there are ways to have an arrest or conviction erased from your history in some cases. Everyone deserves a second chance.

This is done by way of an expungement. Although law enforcement may have possession of your criminal record, an expungement will keep the information out of the public eye. Therefore, schools, employers, or landlords will not be privy to the information in your criminal background. After the expungement process is final, you do not have to disclose the conviction or arrest on a job or apartment application. The information is sealed from the public, and there is no reason for you to disclose it.

You need to speak with a criminal defense attorney who can determine if an expungement can apply to your particular case. Each jurisdiction has its own expungement restrictions. In the Commonwealth, there are many factors to determine if an individual is eligible for expungement. They may include:

  • The passage of time since the arrest or conviction of the crime or misdeed

  • The seriousness and nature of the crime committed

  • The perpetrator’s overall criminal record, background, or history

Many times, arrests or convictions made during the teen years can be expunged, but more serious crimes committed in adulthood may not be easy to erase. Your attorney can let you know if you qualify for an expungement. While the expungement process varies, it typically involves filing an application or petition for an expungement. A criminal defense attorney can help you understand the various forms necessary to start the process and explain their importance to your case. The forms needed for an expungement may include the following:

  • Certificate of eligibility

  • Petition to expunge your records

  • Acceptance of service

  • A Prosecutor and victim statement

  • A victim checklist

  • Consent and waiver of hearing

  • Petitioner's reply

  • Findings of fact and conclusions law

After the court grants a petition or application, it will award an order of expungement that will be served to other organizations to ensure that any records in their files about you are sealed or removed. These organizations may include:

  • The police department or sheriff's office of your city

  • The county jail in your area

  • The state's department of corrections (prisons)

In short, no record of an expunged arrest or conviction will appear should someone search your criminal record. An expungement is like giving yourself a second chance in life, clearing your criminal record, and starting over again.

A criminal record or background can have a negative impact on your life and future. If you are considering an expungement of your criminal record, you should speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to see if your situation qualifies for an expungement. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney, Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice about an expungement. He can help you navigate the process and file the proper paperwork and documents to get the process started. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case. Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

Tags: 
Criminal Defense

Reckless Driving

Young drivers or even adults who think reckless driving and racing cars on the roadway is fun and exciting should think twice. Law enforcement views it as a siginifcant offense that carries severe consequences.

Reckless driving is a serious offense that involves moving violations or actions by drivers that endanger the safety of others on the road. It goes beyond just carelessly or improperly driving a vehicle. It is considered a major moving traffic violation.  If you are charged with reckless driving, you should call a criminal defense attorney immediately to discuss your legal options.

There is a difference between careless driving and reckless driving. Careless driving is considered to be driving a vehicle without caution. An example of careless driving could be not using a turn signal or failing to stop at a red traffic light or sign. Reckless driving entails more.

Reckless driving is often seen as an intentional mental state to disregard the rules of the highway. A driver fails to abide by common driving procedures and use common sense. Driving recklessly shows a disregard for human life or property while you are operating a vehicle. It is sometimes called negligent operation of a vehicle or driving to endanger. There are many different circumstances that may result in a reckless driving charge, which may include:

  • Speeding

  • Driving too slowly

  • Being distracted via phone, text messages, or social media tools

  • Creating your own lane

  • Drag racing

  • Driving the wrong way down a one-way street

  • Operating a vehicle with an obstructive view

  • Making an unauthorized pass in a no-pass zone

  • Going to sleep while driving

  • Making unsafe vehicle movements

  • Driving actions that result in injury or an accident

  • Cutting off other motorists on the highway

  • Traveling excessive speeds between 90 and more

  • Operating a vehicle at night without using lights

  • Driving too closely behind another vehicle (tailgating)

According to Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 90, § 24, a reckless or negligent operation conviction can be harsh in the Commonwealth. You can receive two weeks to two years in jail or pay fines up to $200. Any driver convicted of a reckless or negligent driving office will face a discretionary license suspension. A first offense carries a 60-day suspension. A second offense within three years will result in a minimum one-year loss of license. Massachusetts has incorporated a Safe Driver Insurance Program, which may reward you for a good driving record or punish you for a bad one. A reckless driving violation will cause drivers to automatically face increases in their driver's insurance for up to three years.

If you have been accused or charged with negligent or reckless driving, you should immediately consult a criminal defense attorney. The consequences can be devastating and may include jail, prison, and huge fines. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney, Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case. Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

Tags: 
Criminal Defense

Drugs and School Zone Statutes

 

In Massachusetts, if you are convicted of a drug offense within a school zone, playground, or public park, you could face stiff punishment and even prison time. This legislation, known as the "School Zone" statute, is designed to keep the environment around children drug-free and reduce drug possession in public schools, parks, and playgrounds. The school zone statute and other drug laws in the Commonwealth can be difficult to understand to the average person. You should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney if you need immediate legal advice.

According to Massachusetts General Law,

"Any person who violates the provisions of [G. L.c. 94C, §§ 32, 32A-32F, or 32I,] while in or on, or within 300 feet of the real property comprising a public or private accredited preschool, accredited headstart facility, elementary, vocational, or secondary school if the violation occurs between [5 A.M.] and midnight, whether or not in session, or within one hundred feet of a public park or playground shall be punished by a term of imprisonment in the state prison for not less than two and one-half nor more than fifteen years or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not less than two nor more than two and one-half years. No sentence imposed under the provisions of this section shall be for less than a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of two years. A fine of not less than [$1,000] nor more than [$10,000] may be imposed but not in lieu of the mandatory minimum two year term of imprisonment as established herein. In accordance with the provisions of [G. L. c. 279, § 8A,] such sentence shall begin from and after the expiration of the sentence for violation of [the predicate offense]. Lack of knowledge of school boundaries shall not be a defense to any person who violates the provisions of this section."

This law was created by the Massachusetts legislature in response to public outcry that more should be done to protect children from drugs. While some people support the law, others believe that it may be unfair and violate a person's due process rights. Some opponents of the law say it could unfairly punish innocent people who may not be drug users, recreational drug users utilizing less than one ounce of marijuana, or individuals who may find themselves in a situation in which they possess a controlled substance within 300 feet of a school or 100 feet of a public park by chance and not by design or purpose to sell or distribute drugs in a school zone.

The law carries severe mandatory minimum jail sentences that can result in up to 15 years in state prison. A conviction will carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of two years behind bars. If you have been accused or charged with a school zone drug violation you should speak with a well-versed criminal defense attorney who can help protect your rights and create an effective defense strategy for your case.

If you are arrested for selling or distributing over an ounce of marijuana to a family member or friend for personal or recreational use within 300 feet of a school in Massachusetts you can face a mandatory jail sentence under this legislation. Mandatory means that your sentence will not be lowered and you must serve some time in jail. The Commonwealth takes drug offenses very seriously.

If you have been accused or charged with a drug offense or a school zone violation involving drugs, you should immediately consult a criminal defense attorney. The consequences can be devastating and may include jail or prison time and hefty fines. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case. Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

 

Tags: 
Criminal Defense
Drug Possess to Distribute
Drug Trafficking

Do Not Hit and Run

18-year-old Billy was racing home in his car in an attempt to beat his dad to the house. Billy stayed out past his curfew of 12:30 am. In the process of speeding, he sideswiped a car and kept going without stopping. His main focus at the time was jumping into bed to appear he was at home sleeping before his dad got off work.

Billy did beat his dad home, but Billy worried all night regarding his misdeed. He had nightmares of jail time because of his reckless and irresponsible behavior. Billy should be worried, he committed a "Hit and Run." Due to his actions, Billy may not only be in big trouble with his dad, but also with the law.

"Hit and Run," or leaving the scene of a car accident without leaving your contact or insurance information, can become a serious crime. Depending on the situation, it can result in a simple traffic ticket or a felony charge. The punishment will depend on the nature of the case, whether you destroyed personal property or caused human injury, suffering, or death. The punishment usually increases when personal injury or death occurs. In any case, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately and discuss your legal options.

In the Commonwealth, failure to stop after a car collision, not exchanging insurance information, or refusing to call the local police is considered a misdemeanor under MGL c. 90 s. 24. The crime of leaving the scene involving property damage may include the following penalties if you are convicted.

  • A $200 fine

  • A 60-day to one-year loss of license

  • A two-year jail sentence

To be convicted of this crime, it must be proven that you knew about the property damage or accident when you left the scene of the crime. Leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury may carry harsher penalties for those convicted. The punishment may include:

  • A jail sentence of six months to two years

  • A fine of $500 - $1,000

  • Loss of license for a minimum of one year and up to an indefinite amount of time

If you are convicted a second time for leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, the penalties will include a loss of license for a minimum of two years. Leaving the scene of an accident involving a personal injury resulting in death is a felony in the Commonwealth, and you will be required to serve a mandatory minimum of one year in jail.

Leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury resulting in death is a very serious crime.  You need to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney, who knows the law and appropriate defenses for such cases. Punishment for leaving the scene of an accident with a personal injury resulting in death may include:

  • A loss of license for a minimum of three years and up to an indefinite amount of time

  • Fines between $1,000 and $5000

  • A minimum of one year in jail and up to 10 years in prison

If you have been accused or charged with "hit and run" or leaving the scene of an accident, you should immediately consult a criminal defense attorney. The consequences can be devastating and may include jail time, license suspension, and fines. Boston Criminal Defense Attorney, Edward Molari can provide you with legal advice that may help reduce the punishment or lessen the charge. He cares about your situation and provides personalized legal services in every case.  Contact Attorney, Edward Molari at 617-942-1532 for a free consultation.

 

Tags: 
Criminal Defense
OUI/DUI

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