Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Closing two Plymouth County district courthouses will cost far more than it saves, the Enterprise News reported. The courthouses in Wareham and Hingham are among five that the state Trial Court may close in an attempt to erase a $21 million budget deficit.

Prosecutors, Brockton defense lawyers and other advocates say the closures would cost far more in police overtime and travel costs and would also bog down court operations.

The plan calls for the Wareham District Court operations to move to Plymouth District Court and Hingham District Court operations to move to Brockton District Court.

Stoughton District Court would stay open but the Norfolk Juvenile Court in Dedham would be moved to Stoughton. Several public hearings on the plans are scheduled for the coming days.

Stoughton Criminal Defense Attorney Michael DelSignore opposes any move to close the Stoughton court as it is vital that the court remain easily accessible to victims, defendants and witnesses who must attend court hearings.

Hearings are set for 5 p.m. Thursday at the Brockton District Courthouse, 215 Main St. Another hearing will be held Aug. 18 at Plymouth Trial Court.

Courthouse closures are likely to be a significant issue moving forward as the state looks for ways to save money. Communities left without a courthouse will be faced with the significant inconvenience and expense of traveling to a neighboring court. The South Shore police chief estimates that closure of the Hingham courthouse would cost an additional $67,000 in police overtime and other costs. The chief in Middleboro also expects significantly higher costs.

Lost jobs in closing courthouses and longer lines on both the civil and criminal side of courthouses that remain open would also result from any significant effort at consolidation.

Continue reading "Court consolidations in Plymouth, Brockton and Stoughton could impact court services" »

The Governor signed a measure into law on Friday that is aimed at making it easier for those accused or convicted of a crime to find employment, News 22 reported.

The Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reform will ensure that a person's criminal record does not include crimes for which they are accused but never convicted. The distinction makes it more important than ever to seek out the quality representation of a Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer.

Lawmakers who voted for the measure hope it will better allow defendants to put a matter behind them in cases where they are not convicted. "This is an opportunity for people who do not have an extensive or heinous crime on their record to get back in the workforce, be productive members of society," said Western Massachusetts Representative Brian Ashe.

Criminal convictions will also appear on your record for a shorter length of time: felony convictions will appear for 10 years from the date of release, down from 15 years; misdemeanor convictions will be sealed five years after your release, down from 10 years.

Murder and sex offense convictions remain in the system permanently.

And job applications will no longer be allowed to include a question about felony convictions during the initial, or first-level, screening process.

Continue reading "Expunging Massachusetts criminal records allowed by new Massachusetts law " »

Two area residents are facing Massachusetts shoplifting and larceny charges in Quincy District Court in connection with alleged thefts from South Shore Plaza stores, the Patriot Ledger reported.

A Massachusetts shoplifting lawyer should be called to represent anyone facing theft or shoplifting charges in Quincy or the surrounding area. A retail theft charge can have serious consequences and a record of shoplifting or theft can make it difficult to obtain employment or hold certain jobs and may even impact your ability to get a loan or rent an apartment.

The Patriot Ledger reported that a 30-year-Randolph resident faces larceny charges after being accused of taking $850 in merchandise from a South Shore Plaza retailer. He was charged with larceny over $250 after a store security guard at Macy's reported seeing him conceal 12 items of clothing and attempt to leave the store without paying.

In a separate incident, a Milton women who was arrested and charged with shoplifting, now faces an additional charge of malicious destruction of property after authorities accuse her of damaging a store security office.

The 21-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly stealing two pairs of earrings worth $130 from Lord & Taylor, according to police, who also contend she punched two large holes in the walls with her fists and elbows.

Both defendants face arraignment in Quincy District Court.

Continue reading "Pair facing Massachusetts shoplifting and larceny charges in connection with thefts from South Shore Plaza stores" »