In a non-precedential case, the Massachusetts appellate court considered a case involving marijuana transportation from New York to homes in Massachusetts. There were many vehicles and people involved in transporting it. The Commonwealth applied for and received two search warrants in connection with the contraband. The affidavit it submitted was…
When a police officer seeks a wiretap to obtain evidence against someone suspected of illegal activity and a prosecutor tries to use that evidence, certain rules must be followed. A recent case arose after a defendant was convicted of drug and firearm charges in connection with wiretap evidence. The police…
The double jeopardy clause of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution states that nobody can be placed in jeopardy twice for the same criminal offense. In other words, it prohibits duplicative convictions — more than one conviction for the same course of conduct. However, not all cases in…
Drug sale and distribution charges in Massachusetts can be treated more harshly based on factors other than the type and amount of drug in question. The context of the sale or distribution can make a big difference. For example, a “school zone violation” is a sentencing enhancement for people who…
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts recently reached a decision regarding the application of mandatory minimum sentences to defendants who are caught in the middle of sentence reduction law changes.In the case, Commonwealth v. Galvin, Mass: Supreme Judicial Court 2013, the court examined the case of a defendant who was…
Cambridge police recently announced that they had made an arrest of a Boston man who was wanted on charges relating to two break-ins in Cambridge.State police and members of a U.S. Marshals task force seized cocaine, bath salts, oxycodone and more than $8,000 in cash. The man was arrested pursuant…
Freetown police responded to an alarm that was set off inside of a GM car dealership at 12:44 a.m. Saturday, and instead of encountering the potential intruders, discovered some 31 pounds of marijuana.When officers first arrived, they said they saw an open door, through which they entered, sweeping the store…
A Winthrop auxiliary police officer was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of dealing drugs while on duty. According to sources, the suspect sold cocaine not only from his police car, but while he was parked within a school zone, amongst other locations. Federal law enforcement officials reportedly followed him…
Authorities in New Hampshire announced a surprising second arrest in connection with the case of a New Hampshire teenager who was recently charged with killing two Massachusetts women on bicycles.The 19 year old teenage girl was arraigned this week on charges of negligent homicide and second-degree assault. However, police announced…
Boston Police executed a sting operation last Friday night, which led to the arrest of two men accused of dealing “Molly” in South Boston. According to a statement from police, officers arranged to meet a man at 150 Northern Avenue in order to purchase purchase 1.5 grams of “Molly” (a…