Two individuals were arrested by Cambridge Police earlier this month, following an exchange in which a detective witnessed what he perceived to be a transaction involving a firearm, drugs, or both.
An ununiformed detective spotted one of the individuals, and believed that the individual was concealing a firearm, and after following him witnessed what he believed was a transaction.
When the officer approached the men, they both attempted to flee, but were captured. One of the suspects had a firearm in his backpack, but no license to carry or firearm identification card. After searching both of the men, police recovered a bag containing 20 grams of marijuana and one firearm.
The men were both arrested on various charges including:
- possession with intention to distribute a Class D drug,
- conspiracy to violate drug laws,
- carrying a firearm without a license,
- possession of a large capacity firearm, and defacing a serial number on a firearm, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and
- defacing a firearm serial number.
Under Massachussets law, anyone who knowingly or intentionally manufactures, distributes, dispenses or possesses marijuana with the intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense faces punishment of imprisonment for up to 2.5 years or a fine ranging from $500-$5,000, or both.
Secondary or subsequent offenders face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 1-2.5 years, a fine of $1,000 to $10,000, or both.
Additionally, Massachusetts has some of the toughest firearm and weapon laws in the United States. A person charged a violation can expect an aggressive prosecution by government lawyers specially trained in gun laws. Furthermore, an individual convicted of a violation of Massachusetts gun laws can expect stiff punishment including a minimum mandatory sentence of 18 months.
If you have been charged with a gun or weapon violation in Boston or anywhere else in Massachusetts, it is crucial to retain a knowledgeable and experienced firearms and weapons violation attorney to represent you at every stage of your case. Attorney Patrick J. Murphy is a Boston lawyer who has successfully represented clients at motions hearings, bench, and jury trials in weapon violation cases.
Each of the separate charges that the men in this case, and other individuals may face in similar situations, all carry separate and individual potential punishments. Your attorney will have to formulate a strategy in order to address each and every charge individually in order to ensure the best possible defense.
If you have been accused of any weapons crimes or drug crimes within the state of Massachusetts, you will want to ensure that you have an aggressive, knowledgeable, and experienced Boston defense attorney on your side. Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy, Esq. today in order to schedule your free and confidential legal consultation. You can contact us by calling 617-367-0450 or through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Roxbury Man Arrested in Connection with Burglary, Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published August 21, 2013
Attorney General Urges Change in Mandatory Sentencing, Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published August 14, 2013