Massachusetts has a puritanical history and reputation. "Public order" offenses are a combination of what remains of the laws designed to maintain 'good public order' and those laws, the violation of which is, deemed to be an offense not just against a particular victim, but an offense against the people of the Commonwealth in general.
Select from the topics below to read about some of the most common of such offenses and the defenses commonly raised against them, or contact me with any specific questions or concerns you might have: