Many people mistakenly believe that judges have the ultimate decision-making power in a criminal trial. However, that authority instead rests upon the shoulders of the jury. These are average citizens who are tasked with making a sound decision based on all of the available facts. Allowing people with very little legal knowledge to make these …
We live in a world where everyone is all too eager to share what they are doing with the entireworld. But as any defense attorney will tell you, giving everyone a window into your life can come back to haunt you. Time and time again, social media has been used by prosecutors to convict defendants. …
In late October of 2021, it was reported that the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division in Massachusetts had launched a new initiative to combat redlining. But what exactly is redlining, anyway? Is it really illegal in Massachusetts? What kind of penalties might you incur if you or your organization engages in redlining? If you are …
If you are approaching a divorce in Massachusetts, you may think that the date of your separation is relatively meaningless. For many spouses, the difference between separating next week or next year might not seem like a big deal. But as any divorce attorney will tell you, the date of your separation can actually have …
For many individuals, bankruptcy may be the right choice. But when you have a family, you need to consider the needs of your family as well as your own. Bankruptcy might be the best choice for you personally, but how could this decision affect your spouse or your children? This is a common concern for …
“Common-law marriage” is a term you might have heard before, and you might be wondering whether this term applies to your own relationship in Massachusetts. You may feel that for all intents and purposes, you and your partner are essentially married. You may share a child, live together, support each other financially, and so on. …
For many spouses in Massachusetts, restraining orders represent an important lifeline. If it was not for restraining orders, spouses in abusive relationships may not have the courage or the ability to leave their marriages and pursue safety. Today, it seems as if Massachusetts is dialing back the effectiveness of these important court orders. At the …
Massachusetts takes the opioid crisis seriously, and those who are caught with fentanyl could face severe legal consequences. In 2020 alone, more than 2,000 people died from opioid overdose. This is the highest number the state has ever seen. Many of these deaths have been caused by fentanyl, an extremely dangerous substance that can easily …
Amazon is one of the biggest companies in the world, and it is certainly not without its fair share of controversy in Massachusetts. The online shopping company is quite active in the Bay State, and it operates several warehouses and distribution centers here. This year, the company announced that it was planning a 1-million-square-foot distribution …
When companies file for bankruptcy, the general assumption is that they have run out of money. However, many business owners and corporate executives choose bankruptcy for more subtle, tactical reasons. Some choose this option as a vehicle for restructuring the way they do business. In order to realize the full implications and possibilities of bankruptcy, …