Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

The Lawrence Eagle Tribune reports that twenty-one year old Hector Martes of Lawrence Massachusetts was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed in his upper abdomen and rib cage. According to reports, Martes told hospital workers that while playing "beer pong" at his home he was stabbed after an argument erupted with his stepfather and brother. The police are still investigating the incident and Martes is listed in stable condition.

Although all of the facts are unknown at this time, it appears that one of the parties could ultimately be charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. In order for the Commonwealth to prove this crime, it must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant intentionally touched another person with a dangerous weapon. Another theory that the government may assert is that a defendant engaged in reckless conduct that resulted in bodily injury. In the event that the defendant's step-father and/or brother are charged in this, potential defenses include misidentification by the victim as to who the perpetrator was and/or self-defense and defense of another.

It is also worthy to note that anyone questioned by the police is not under any obligation to speak to them. If you find yourself in a situation where you are being questioned by the police you should refuse to answer any questions until you have consulted with an experienced Boston area attorney. If you choose to speak with the police anything that you say may be used against you in court. If a defendant is questioned by the police an experienced Lawrence Massachusetts area lawyer will review the circumstances to determine whether a motion to suppress the statement should be litigated.

Continue reading "Lawrence Massachusetts Man Stabbed At Home" »

Posted by Kathleen M. McCarthy | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Assault and Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon , Motion to Suppress Statements , Search and Seizure

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The Lawrence Eagle Tribune reports that a Lawrence Massachusetts man faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years in state prison if convicted of charges stemming from a drug bust. Marcelo Perez, 48, of 210 Lawrence St., was charged with drug crimes including two counts of trafficking cocaine, two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition and possession of a dangerous weapon.

Three local authorities worked together focusing on suspected drug activity in the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot on Main Street in Haverhill Massachusetts. Reports indicate that when he was arrested Perez had loaded .38 caliber pistol and 305 grams of cocaine in his jacket. With the assistance of the Tewksbury K9 unit, police discovered a hidden compartment in the back floor of Perez's jeep. It has been reported that the authorties seized an additional 30.7 grams of cocaine another loaded handgun, a box of ammunition and a digital scale. Police estimated the street value of the cocaine at $6,500.

If you have been charged with any drug crime in Massachusetts, it is imperative that you have an experienced defense attorney on your side. Most drug arrests stem from a search that has been conducted by the police. Attacking the legality of the search is often times the first step to a successful litigation of a drug offense. Depending on the circumstances of the case, this is done by filing a motion to suppress evidence seized from a defendant, his or her car and/or his or her home or apartment. Attorney McCarthy has successfully litigated these types of motions. If the evidence is suppressed the government is left without a case.

Based on the recent Supreme Court decision of Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts, it is imperative that a qualified defense lawyer attack any drug certificate that the District Attorney attempts to introduce in order to establish that the seized substance is in fact an illegal drug. The Supreme Court has indicated that the Commonwealth cannot merely introduce a drug certificate to prove that a retrieved product is contraband. Based on this new case law, in most cases, the Commonwealth is required to produe a chemist that examined the item and determined that is was an illegal drug. The Courts and the District Attorneys' offices are scrambling to try to get around this requirement. If you find yourself facing drug charges you must have an experienced Massachusetts criminal lawyer on your side to fight for all of your rights.

Continue reading "Lawrence Massachusetts Man Faces Mandatory Jail Sentences Stemming From Drug And Gun Charges In Haverhill District Court" »

Posted by Kathleen M. McCarthy | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Assault and Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon , Drug Crimes , Firearm Offenses , Search and Seizure , Weapon Offenses

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A stop for what police believed would be a routine drunk driving arrest resulted in a Lawrence man, Silver Dubon, being arrested on outstanding warrants for threats, assault and battery and attempted murder. Dubon was initially pulled over on route 110 in Lawrence and charged with speeding, failure to use care in stopping, a marked lanes violation, driving without a license and operating under the influence of alcohol. According to The Lawrence Eagle Tribune, after the police determined the identity of the driver, he faced additional charges. Reports indicate that the outstanding warrants relate to a case of alleged domestic violence dating back to 2008. Although all of the facts of the case are not known at this time, the Tribune reports that over one year ago Dubon allegedly had an argument with his wife that escalated into a physical fight.

In Massachusetts operating under the influence of alcohol and assault and battery are considered misdemeanor offenses. Assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and attempted murder are felonies. A charge is a misdemeanor when the most that a defendant could be sentenced to is a committed sentence in jail or in the house of correction. If the potential penalty for a crime is committed time in state prison then the offense is considered a felony.

If you have been charged with a crime you should have an experienced Boston defense attorney on your side. If you are facing charges in Peabody, Lowell or Lawrence having a local defense lawyer on your side can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. In cases where a defendant is charged with "domestic violence" a 209 A civil restraining order is often sought by the complaining witness. Although the order itself is civil, a criminal charge may issue if there is an allegation of a violation of the order. Thus, preventing the issuance of the order by having an attorney present your side of the case is crucial.

Continue reading "Lawrence Massachusetts Man Arrested For Drunk Driving Faces Old Charges On Outstanding Warrants" »

Posted by Kathleen M. McCarthy | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Assault and Battery , Assault and Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon , Domestic Assault and Battery , OUI/DUI

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Angel Mejia, a Lawrence Police Detective, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on his sixteen year old daughter. According to The Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Mejia had a confrontation with his teenage daughter when he caught her attempting to sneak into the house at 5:45 a.m.. It is alleged that Mejia pushed his daughter onto the pavement, where she struck her face and suffered bruises and scrapes. It has been reported that the Detective also pushed her against the garage door and the refrigerator. This type of case is often categorized as a case of Domestic Violence and taken very seriously by prosecutors and the court system. Due to the fact that Mejia routinely works with prosecutors in the Lawrence District Court the case has been specially assigned to an Essex County Assistant District Attorney usually assigned to the Peabody District Court. The Detective was released and ordered to abide by any conditions ordered by the Department of Children and Family Services. Mejia is currently scheduled to return to court on December 21, 2009. The Tribune did not indicate whether the sixteen year sought a 209A restraining order against her father.

Based on the facts in this case, the defendant is likely charged with three counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. If convicted for assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon in Massachusetts, a defendant can be sentenced to up to two and one half years in jail on each count or up to ten years in state prison on each count. Here, the "dangerous weapons" would be the pavement, garage door and refrigerator. An object may qualify as “dangerous weapon,” within the meaning of statute either because it is dangerous per se, as an instrumentality designed and constructed to produce death or great bodily harm, or because it is used in dangerous fashion. Although a refrigerator, pavement or garage door are not "dangerous per se", if they are used in a "dangerous fashion" they may be considered a dangerous weapon in Massachusetts. Some examples of objects that have been found to be dangerous weapons in Massachusetts that would not ordinarily be one are: pavement, sneakers, rings and a lighted cigarettes.

Continue reading "Lawrence Police Officer Charged With Assault And Battery On His Teenage Daughter" »

Posted by Kathleen M. McCarthy | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Assault and Battery , Assault and Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon , Domestic Assault and Battery , Restraining Order

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Twenty six year old Christian Negron remains in a coma at a Boston area hospital as a result of a brutal beating with what the police believe was a metal baseball bat. The last post indicated that the police had not apprehended anyone in connection with that beating and robbery. However, The Lawrence Eagle Tribune reports today that Juan Melendez's mother told police that her son confessed to "his crime and threatened to kill himself." According to reports, Alexander Pardella was also involved in the attack in which the perpetrators took money and a cell phone. The defendant appeared in the Lawrence District Court and was held without bail.

At this point, it appears that the government will proceed against the two perpetrators as "joint venturers" and claim that they acted together to commit these crimes. Based on reports at this time, it appears that Pardella struck Negron before taking the cell phone and money. In order to obtain a conviction against Melendez the Commonwealth would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that that he was ready, willing and able to assist Pardella in committing these crimes.

In Massachusetts, the government often proceeds against multiple defendants under this "joint venture" theory of culpability. Although merely being present at the scene of a crime is not enough to demonstrate joint venture it is a factor that a jury can consider during deliberations to determine whethere a defendant is liable as a participant in the crime.

Continue reading "Methuen Massachusetts Man Charged In Connection With Brutal Attack On Lawrence Massachusetts Man" »

Posted by Kathleen M. McCarthy | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Assault and Battery By Means Of A Dangerous Weapon

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