At The Law Offices of Matthew W. Peterson, we understand that a single mistake should not define a young person’s future. Recently, Attorney William Manchinton Jr. represented a client at a clerk magistrate’s hearing in Boston Municipal Court – Brighton Division who was facing a potential criminal complaint for possession of a forged RMV document, commonly known as a fake ID. Through careful preparation and effective advocacy, we successfully prevented the issuance of a criminal complaint, allowing our client to move forward without a criminal record.
The Charge: M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B
Our client was facing a potential complaint under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 24B, which governs the falsification, possession, and use of forged RMV documents. This statute provides that whoever “has in his possession, or utters, publishes as true or in any way makes use of a falsely made, stolen, altered, forged or counterfeited learner’s permit, license to operate motor vehicles, an identification card issued under section eight E” shall be punished by a fine of up to five hundred dollars, imprisonment in state prison for up to five years, or imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for up to two years. A conviction also triggers a mandatory one-year license suspension from the RMV.
Many people underestimate the seriousness of a Fake ID charge in Massachusetts. This is a felony that can affect employment opportunities, professional licensing, and educational prospects. For our client, a young woman with an otherwise exemplary record and aspirations of working in healthcare, a criminal conviction could have significantly impacted her career plans.
How We Prepared
At The Law Offices of Matthew W. Peterson, we believe that effective representation begins with truly understanding who our clients are. We go beyond gathering the basic facts of the incident—we take the time to learn about our client’s background, experiences, and goals. We work with clients to obtain their resume and identify the accomplishments and qualities they feel most proud of. This collaborative process allows us to present the full picture of who they are, not just the circumstances of a single incident.
In this case, we worked closely with our client to understand her academic achievements, her history of charitable work, and her future plans to serve the community through a career in healthcare. By investing this time, we were able to present her to the court as the accomplished and community-minded individual she genuinely is.
We also made it a priority to explain every step of the clerk magistrate’s hearing process to our client and her family. From the moment she retained our firm, we ensured that everyone understood what was going to happen, when it was going to happen, and how it was going to happen. Our goal was to make this experience as manageable as possible, so that our client could walk into the hearing feeling prepared and supported.
BMC Brighton Hearing
At the hearing, Attorney Manchinton spoke on our client’s behalf. He explained to the clerk magistrate the personal growth she had undergone since the incident. Our client had taken the time to reflect on her actions and their potential consequences—not only for herself, but for those around her and the broader community. She accepted responsibility for her mistake and demonstrated a genuine understanding of why her conduct was wrong.
Attorney Manchinton also presented the court with a comprehensive picture of our client’s character: her excellent academic record, her dedicated history of community service, and her plans to pursue a career in healthcare. We argued that issuing a criminal complaint would not serve the interests of justice, given who she is and the growth she had already demonstrated.
The Outcome
After hearing our presentation, the clerk magistrate agreed that issuing a criminal complaint was not warranted. The magistrate determined that the complaint would not be issued as long as our client is not charged with any crimes going forward. This outcome means our client can continue pursuing her healthcare career without a criminal charge on her record.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Clerk magistrate’s hearings offer a valuable opportunity to prevent criminal charges from ever being filed. However, many people attend these hearings without representation, unsure of what to say or how to present their case effectively. Having an experienced Boston criminal defense lawyer who understands the process and can advocate on your behalf can make a meaningful difference in the outcome. If you or someone you know is facing a clerk magistrate’s hearing for a Fake ID charge or any other matter, we encourage you to contact The Law Offices of Matthew W. Peterson at 617-295-7500 to schedule a consultation.
