Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Actor Charlie Sheen will not be facing any criminal charges for his violent meltdown at a New York hotel in October. The New York Daily News recently reported that despite porn star Capri Anderson's claim that Sheen harassed and assaulted her in New York's Plaza Hotel. Although this case seems to have ended well for the embattled star, he has also been involved in cases of domestic violence that have contributed to his bad boy image.

In Massachusetts, if you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor it is critical that you have an experienced Boston criminal defense attorney on your side. A skilled lawyer can make the difference between a defendant having a criminal record or not. Additionally, cases of domestic violence often involve 209A or Harassment Restraining Orders that are litigated at the beginning of the criminal case. In order for the Court to grant a 209A restraining order the complaining witness must convince the judge that he or she is in reasonable apprehension of immediate physical harm. Although a restraining order is a civil order, an alleged violation can result in a criminal charge being lodge against a defendant. A knowledgeable defense attorney is necessary to ensure that the defendant's side of the case is presented.

Continue reading " No Criminal Charges To Issue Against Charlie Sheen For New York Incident " »

A forty-eight year old woman, Carol Provost, will face multiple counts of assault and battery charges in the Salem District Court for allegedly grabbing her eighty-two year old mother by the hair and beating her with a belt. The Lawrence Eagle Tribune reports that Provost is also accused of attempting to choke her mother with a belt before she was able to lock herself in the bathroom and eventually flee to a hospital for refuge.

Based on these accusations, Provost could face charges stemming from assault, assault and battery, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon to kidnapping and assault with intent to murder. At this time it appears that only one side of the story has been made available. Although all of the facts surrounding this incident are not known, it appears that viable areas for a defense could be self-defense, defense of another or some type of psychiatric defense such as "insanity."

These types of crimes are often termed "domestic crimes" because the involved parties are related. Often the complaining witness requests a 209A restraining order which requires a hearing for a temporary order to be extended. If you are a defendant facing a restraining order hearing, it is imperative that you have an experienced Boston criminal attorney on your side. Although a 209A restraining order is a civil order, any alleged violation can result in being charged in the criminal court with violation of a restraining order.

Continue reading " Methuen Woman To Face Domestice Assault And Battery Charges In The Salem District Court For Allegedly Beating Her Elderly Mother " »

A South Yarmouth woman, Cristina Marie Ragusa, pleaded not guilty to numerous counts of credit card fraud and larceny in the Lowell District Court. The Lowell Sun reports that Ragusa's former boyfriend claims that she stole more than $48,000.00 worth of items when she went on a spending spree using his credit cards and checks. Ragusa initially told her boyfriend that the money was used to pay her daughter's medical bills, but the duped boyfriend eventually went to the police to expose his former armour. Ragusa maintains her innocence and claims that her ex had full knowledge of her activities. The Sun reports that this is not Ragusa's first time in court as she is currently on probation for an unrelated matter.

The fact that a defendant is on probation and then picks up a new charge can result on the probation department filing a "surrender notice." An individual has the right to a surrender hearing in which the probation officer will come forward and inform a judge of the reasons that he or she wants to "surrender" the defendant. The typical reasons asserted for a probation surrender include that a defendant has been rearrested, a defendant has not completed terms of probation in a timely manner and/or that the individual has not paid imposed fines or fees.

If you are facing a probation violation hearing it is important that you have an experience Boston criminal lawyer on your side. The rules that apply during a surrender hearing are not the same as those that apply during a trial. The failure to have zealous representation at a surrender hearing can result in changes in the terms of your probation, changes in the disposition and incarceration.

Continue reading " Woman Facing Larceny And Credit Card Fraud Charges In Lowell District Court " »