Drug Possession At Clerk Magistrate Hearing In Massachusetts: What You Need To Know
If you have been summoned for drug possession at clerk magistrate hearing in Massachusetts, you are not alone—and you are not without options. For many....
Disturbing the Peace and Trespassing at a Clerk Magistrate Hearing
Two of the most common misdemeanor charges handled through the clerk magistrate hearing process in Massachusetts are disturbing the peace and trespassing. If you have....
Private Citizen Criminal Complaints: What to Know Whether You’re Filing One or Facing One
In Massachusetts, you don’t need to be a police officer to initiate a criminal case. Under G.L. c. 218, § 35A, any private citizen can....
Can You Carry a Firearm While Drinking in Massachusetts?
Yes, drinking while carrying a firearm can result in criminal charges in Massachusetts. Under MGL c. 269, § 10H, carrying a loaded firearm while intoxicated....
Can Charges Be Dropped at a Clerk Magistrate Hearing?
Yes. A clerk magistrate in Massachusetts has the authority to decline to issue a criminal complaint — even when probable cause exists. This is one....
How to Properly Store Your Gun in Massachusetts
If you own a firearm in Massachusetts, you need to understand how to properly store your gun in Massachusetts — or risk criminal charges, fines,....
How Is Alimony Calculated in Massachusetts?
If alimony is on the table in your Massachusetts divorce, you’re probably wondering: how is alimony calculated? Is there a formula? The answer is: sort....
What is Discovery in a Divorce? Depositions, Interrogatories, and Requests for Production Explained
If you’re going through a divorce in Massachusetts, you’ve probably heard the word “discovery” come up and wondered what it actually means for your case.....
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Maine’s 72-Hour Gun Waiting Period — What It Means for the Second Amendment
A federal appeals court just issued one of the most significant Second Amendment rulings in recent memory — and it could shape how courts across....
A First-Time Offender’s Guide to Clerk Magistrate Hearings in Massachusetts
If you have been accused of a crime in Massachusetts but were not arrested, you may be entitled to a proceeding known as a clerk....
What Is the Massachusetts Habitual Offender Statute — And What Are the Defenses?
Massachusetts’s habitual offender statute — sometimes called the “three strikes” law — imposes the maximum possible prison sentence on defendants convicted of a third felony....
Understanding School Disciplinary Hearings: A Guide for Parents
When your child faces a school disciplinary hearing in Massachusetts, the stakes can be higher than many parents realize. Massachusetts school disciplinary hearings can impact....
USCIS Can Now Deny Your Marriage-Based Petition Without Warning — Here’s What You Need to Know
If you filed a marriage-based petition after August 1, 2025, USCIS can deny it outright — without giving you a chance to fix mistakes first.....
Can a Police Chief Deny Your Gun License Because of Your Family’s Actions?
Not anymore. In January 2026, the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled in Guinane v. Chief of Police of Manchester-by-the-Sea that a police chief cannot deny your....
What Happens in Massachusetts Superior Court? How It’s Different from District Court
The Massachusetts Superior Court handles the most serious criminal cases in the Commonwealth. Unlike the District Court, which is limited to sentences of up to....