Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

A Brockton firefighter is facing a Massachusetts larceny charge for allegedly stealing money from a superior in order to buy drugs, the Brockton Enterprise reported.

A Brockton criminal defense attorney should be called to represent anyone facing theft or drug charges in Brockton District Court. As this case illustrates, fighting such charges can be a critical step to protecting your job and future ability to obtain employment.

In this case, the defendant is accused of stealing $120 from a lieutenant's locker at the North Cary Street station as fellow firefighters responded to a fire-alarm box and Ames and Intervale streets. The firefighter has since entered a drug treatment program, where he continues to receive treatment, according to court records.

The 26-year-old Brockton resident is scheduled to be in Brockton District Court on March 22, for a pretrial hearing. He faces charges of larceny, a Massachusetts drug possession charge (Class E substance -- Suboxone) and pulling a false fire alarm.

The fire chief reported that the defendant has been a firefighter for about 12 years and is officially on vacation, though he wouldn't discuss possible sanctions. He earned $78,346 last year as a firefighter.

The defendant reportedly admitted he had a drug problem when confronted by the lieutenant about the missing money. He said he was addicted to the prescription drug Suboxone, a drug used to treat opiate addiction, and had resorted to buying it on the street, according to the police report.

Continue reading "Firefighter faces Massachusetts theft charge, drug charge, in Brockton District Court" »

A Mansfield man pleaded not guilty to charges of embezzlement from his employer, Marlborough's Marriot Residence Inn. Timothy Thursby was arrested on February 4th on a single charge of larceny over $250 by single scheme and falsifying and/or omitting entries in the hotel's record books.

Police allege that Thursby embezzled $80,000 from the hotel by issuing false credits to different customers from the hotel, and then crediting the money to his own debit account. According to court records, the hotel's front-office manager found more than 30 credits to the care totaling more than $60,000. After a search warranted was issued to investigate Thursby's bank records, police detectives found over 70 credits had been charged to the card since March 2008, totaling about $80,000.

Typically larceny charges are divided into two categories. Larceny under $250.00 and larceny over $250.00.

A larceny charge under $250.00 is considered a misdemeanor offense, but can have serious consequences. Larceny over $ 250.00 is a felony offense.

Continue reading "Bristol County Man Charged With Embezzlement in Massachusetts" »

On Monday, a man was beaten and assaulted after being identified on video removing a large jar of coins from a friend's apartment. According to the Metrowest Daily News, Michael P. Moore was assaulted in a wooded area near Hollis and Gordon streets. He didn't know if a weapon was involved or not.

An unidentified man told police that Moore broke into his apartment on Saturday and stole $250 in coins. The break-in was caught on videotape, and the man's roommates recognized Moore as a friend who often visited. When the man and a friend ran into Moore on Monday, the friend punched Moore in the face. Moore did not deny the break-in, and stated that he and another person went to the apartment and took the coins.

Moore is charged with larceny and breaking and entering.

Under Massachusetts Law, a conviction of a either of these charges can have serious consequences. Larceny of a sum over $250 is considered a felony and a criminal conviction could mean possible jail time, probation conditions, and require that you submit to DNA testing.

A larceny charge for under $250 is considered a misdemeanor and can often have serious implications, including jail time up to 1 year and other penalties. Penalties for breaking and entering with the intent to commit a misdemeanor can be up to 6 months in prison.

Continue reading "Framingham, Massachusetts man beaten after allegedly stealing $250 in coins" »

Dedham police arrested a 29-year-old woman in Roxbury, on Massachusetts larceny charges, alleging she stole about $355 worth of merchandise from the Dedham Mall Sears earlier this month, The Daily News reported.

Massachusetts larceny charges for a theft of more than $250 are typically a felony. But even misdemeanor charges for thefts under $250 can mean a record that can make it tough to get certain jobs and a conviction can stay with you for years. A Boston defense attorney experienced in representing theft charges in Dedham District Court can help protect your rights and work for the best outcome possible for your case.

Police responded to a call about 8:30 p.m. from store security. The woman was arrested and police reported multiple items of men's and women's clothing in a suitcase the woman used to conceal the items before allegedly leaving the store without paying for them.

The woman pleased not guilty to the Massachusetts shoplifting charges in Dedham District Court and is scheduled to be back in court for a pretrial hearing on Feb. 4.

Also at the Dedham Sears, police arrests a 21-year-old Braintree man on shoplifting charges on Jan. 6, the Daily News reported.

Security reported stopping the man outside the store after he left concealing a Bosch battery-powered drill and two batteries, worth a total of $170, according to police.

The man pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Dedham District Court Jan. 7, and is due back for a pretrial hearing Feb. 12.

Continue reading "Massachusetts larceny charges accuse shoplifters in Dedham District Court" »

Police arrested a Hingham man Friday whom they suspect of committing scores of burglaries across the region, according to the Brockton Enterprise.

Anyone facing burglary, breaking and entering, or other property or theft crimes in Quincy District Court or Newburyport District Court should seek an experienced Massachusetts defense attorney to fight the charges. In this case, the defendant is also facing a host of bail and probation violations that will require the knowledge and experience of a qualified Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer.

Newbury police stopped the man at about 1:40 a.m. Friday; he was driving a minivan that had been reported stolen. The six counts Newbury police filed against him bring the crimes he is accused of committing to 68.

The defendant has been under investigation for months; a Quincy District Court judge let the 50-year-old defendant out of jail in December, according to the Enterprise.

The judge ordered the man back to jail in December but he reportedly fled instead. The defendant has almost 50 criminal convictions dating back to 1978 and has been in and out of prison for most of his adult life.

He was arraigned Friday in Newburyport District Court, where is bail was revoked and he was ordered held for 60 days. He is incarcerated in the Essex County jail. He pleaded not guilty to charges of larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny, felony breaking and entering into a vehicle at night, driving with a suspended license and marked lane violations.

Police call him a career criminal who has hit houses and vehicles from Plymouth to Quincy and beyond. Charges among 43 arrest warrants obtained by Marshfield police include a charge accusing him of being a common and notorious thief, which carries a 20-year sentence. He also faces 19 charges by Norwell police, including breaking and entering at night and identity fraud.

Police reportedly found a storage unit in Hingham filled with what they believe is stolen evidence from home and vehicle break ins across the region, including Christmas presents.

Continue reading "Hingham, Massachusetts man faces dozens of theft charges in Quincy District Court" »

A Quincy, Massachusetts woman is facing charges of shoplifting and receiving stolen property according to the Patriot Ledger. The Ledger reports that the woman is charged with having stolen shoes from Sears in the South Shore Plaza in Braintree. Store security stopped the Quincy Woman, Doreen Cunningham and found shoes on her and additional items in her car.

An interesting issue that a Massachusetts criminal lawyer would explore is when store security made the stop and detained Ms. Cunningham. If she was detained prior to her reaching the car, she may have a basis to suppress the evidence found in the car as there would not be probable cause to search her car.

It appears that the charge of receiving stolen property concerns the items found in the car, that the security did not witness being taken from the store. A charge of receiving stolen property requiring the Commonwealth to prove the following elements. that the property was stolen, that the defendant knew that the property was stolen and that the defendant knowingly had stolen property in his or her possession. Generally, a trial on the charge of receiving stolen property centers on the issue of whether the defendant knew the property was stolen. In cases where a defendant is caught with recently stolen merchandise, there is a presumption that a defendant knew the items were stolen if other evidence supports an inference of knowledge.

Continue reading "Quincy, Massachusetts woman faces charges of shoplifting and receiving stolen property" »

Dedham, Massachusetts police made arrests on larceny and unlawful use of a credit card charges on Monday, October 26, 2009. According to a news report, a three individuals found a student's wallet on the commuter rail and decided charge $888 to the Visa credit card. Police said the purchases were made at City Sports, the Gap and Levi Strauss & Co. at Legacy Place.
Officers Joshua Blaney and Keith Strong went to City Sports at about 5:55 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26 after getting a report of a stolen credit card being used at the stores. Giovanni Brown, Lamarkus Vick, Rhonda Rascoe were arrested and matched the description given to the police.

A charge of larceny under $ 250.00 is a misdemeanor offense; a charge of larceny over $ 250.00 is considered a felony offense and would carry with it the potential for greater jail time and would require a defendant upon conviction to provide a DNA sample as any individual convicted of a felony offense is required to provide a DNA sample.

In some cases, larceny and shoplifting cases can be resolved short of trial through negotiations with the district attorney. In any charge of larceny or improper use of credit cards, it is important to contact an experienced Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer to handle your case and prepare your defense.

Continue reading "Three individuals charged with larceny in Dedham, Massachusetts " »