Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Blog

June 24, 2026

Unlicensed Operation – DISMISSED

On October 19, 2022, EJ, a 28 year old Logistics Analyst, was driving her car on Rt. 3 North in Chelmsford. She went off the road and crashed into a sign and guardrail. The State Police responded. EJ had a restriction on her license that she was supposed to wear corrective lenses (eyeglasses) when driving. She was not wearing her glasses and admitted that to the police. The police cited EJ for violation of a restriction on her license (a criminal offense) and unsafe operation (a civil violation). EJ requested a hearing at Lowell District Court. Three and a half years later in early 2026, EJ received a Notice of a Hearing on an Application for Criminal Complaint from Lowell District Court on this citation. EJ contacted and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover.

There is a little known law (most lawyers are totally unaware of it) that requires the police to file their copy of a criminal citation with the Court within SIX DAYS of the violation. Attorney Lewin immediately went over to Lowell District Court and reviewed the court papers and discovered that the police had delayed three and a half years and did not file the citation at court until 2026. Attorney Lewin prepared a Motion to Dismiss the case.

On June 12, 2026, EJ and Attorney Lewin appeared at Lowell District Court for the hearing. The hearing began and the police officer began to read the police report to the Clerk-Magistrate. As soon as the Police Officer recited the date of the offense as being in 2022, the Clerk-Magistrate (whom Attorney Lewin has known for over 30 years) looked over at Attorney Lewin. Attorney Lewin held up his Motion To Dismiss the case and was about to hand it to the Clerk-Magistrate, when the Clerk-Magistrate put her hand up and said “no need to”. I’m DISMISSING the application for the crimimal complaint and I am entering a finding of NOT responsible of the civil violation. It was a complete and total win. The Clerk-Magisdtrate did turn and say to EJ: “Wear your glasses when you drive.”

June 21, 2026

Unlicensed Operation – Warrant Cancelled – DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

On September 20, 2019, AC, a then 31 year old man from the DR got stopped by the Lawrence Police for a marked lanes violation and unlicensed operation. He never went to court and a warrant issued for his arrest. Fast forward almost 7 years later. AC wanted to clear the warrant and get the case resolved. AC contacted Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover. Attorney Lewin assured AC that the matter could be taken care of both quickly and favorably. On Saturday, June 13, 2026, AC hired Attorney Lewin and on Monday, June 15, 2026, AC and Attorney Lewin went to Lawrence District Court. Attorney Lewin met with the Assistant District Attorney and by 9:30 AM the case was resolved with the following results:

The warrant was CANCELED
A finding of NOT responsible was entered on the civil Marked Lanes Violation

June 5, 2026

LOSS OF LICENSE FOR 4 YEARS AVOIDED

by Robert D. Lewin

SF, a 20 year old young man from Lawrence, had 11 surchargeable events on his driver record, when he got pulled over by the Wilmington PD for Speeding (48 mph in a 30 mph zone) and No License in Possession. If he were found responsible on either one of the two violations he would become classified as an Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) and would lose his license for 4 years. SF appealed the ticket and a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing in Woburn District Court was set for June 3, 2026, via zoom.

The police had SF on Lidar and the police report had him speeding in an area where there were two school buses. When the police pulled him over he could not locate his license. The facts were terrible and his driving record was terrible. SF needed a miracle.

SF consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to represent him. SF and Attorney Lewin worked side by side to put together a presentation that would hopefully convince the Clerk-Magistrate that SF was deserving of a second chance. It was a comprehensive presentation. Attorney Lewin had filed color photos of SF’s license, registration certificate, inspection sticker, front plate, rear plate, clear windows, and SF’s insurance policy which showed that he was in full compliance with the law regarding his car and that he was already paying well over $5,000 per year to insure a 14 year old car. The presentation struck a nerve with the Clerk-Magistrate. She gave SF a talking to about his driving, but in the end she said I am going to give you that second chance that Attorney Lewin requested. I am finding you NOT responsible of both violations.

May 15, 2026

Winning Twice

by Robert D. Lewin

On June 11, 2025, MK was stopped by the Lynn PD and given a citation for speeding and obstructed window. MK appealed the ticket and on October 28, 2025, MK had a hearing before a Clerk-Magistrate at Lynn District Court. MK retained a lawyer for that hearing. The lawyer did a good job and at the conclusion of the hearing the Clerk-Magistrate said that he was continuing the hearing for six months and if MK had no law violations during that six month period then findings of NOT responsible would be entered in the case. The six months went by; MK stayed out of trouble. On April 14, 2026, MK and his lawyer went back to Lynn District Court and the Clerk-Magistrate entered findings of NOT responsible as to both charges. MK had won his case. The police appealed! (On these Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions – CMVIs) either side can appeal the ruling of a Clerk-Magistrate.

The Appeal was set down for a hearing before a Judge on May 1, 2026. Although his lawyer had done a good job, MK wanted a “stronger, more assertive” (his words) lawyer to represent him on the Appeal. MK consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to represent him on Appeal. Attorney Lewin thoroughly prepared MK’s case. Attorney Lewin prepared a Motion for Findings of Not Responsible in the case. Attorney Lewin obtained a favorable written affidavit from the lawyer who had represented MK at the Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. Attorney Lewin served the motion and affidavit on the Lynn Police Prosecutor.

On May 1, 2026, MK and Attorney Lewin appeared in Lynn District Court in the First Session before the Judge. The Judge read Attorney Lewin’s Motion. Attorney Lewin began to argue the Motion; the Judge turned to the police prosecutor; the police gave up! The prosecutor said that they agreed that MK should be found NOT responsible. The Judge entered findings of NOT responsible as to each of the alleged violations.

April 26, 2026

HIT & RUN – DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

On February 12, 2026, BC, a 59 year old janitor from Haverhill, was on his way to work. He was driving his 2024 Nissan and came to an intersection. According to a lady who was driving a car and coming from BC’s left he pulled out into the intersection directly in front of her causing her car to collide with his car. The lady told police he did not stop and that she turned around and chased after him getting his license plate number. She gave a description of the man who was driving. The police ran the license plate and saw that the car was registered to BC. The police issued BC a citation for Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident and Failutre to Yield at an Intersection.

BC consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover. BC insisted that he did not hear any collision and he did not feel any collision. BC brought his car to Attorney Lewin’s Office. Attorney Lewin inspected the car and took a series of photos of the car and a video of the car. BC’s car was pristine. It did not have a mark or dent on it. Attorney Lewin submitted the photos to the police. The police response was : “it must have been his tire that hit the lady’s car”. Attorney Lewin’ response to the police was that maybe it was the lady’s imagination that an accident happened at all.

At Attorney Lewin’s direction, BC requested a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing on the citation. On Friday, April 24, 2026 BC and Attorney Lewin appeared at Haverhill District Court for the Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. The police presented their case. Attorney Lewin showed the photos to the Clerk-Magistrate and argued that the visible evidence as shown in the photos clearly showed that no collision had occured at all. And given the lack of physical evidence of a collision, there was NO evidence that BC knew that there had been a collision. Knowledge that there was a collision is an element of the crime and there was no evidence of that. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Assistant Clerk-Magistrate ordered the Application for Crimnal Complaint to be DISMISSED.

April 22, 2026

ALIEN CHARGED WITH UNLICENSED OPERATION AND 3 OTHER CHARGES: ALL CHARGES DROPPED AT CLERK-MAGISTRATE HEARING

by Robert D. Lewin

On January 21, 2026, AM, a 28 year old Indian Resident Alien, was stopped by the State Police on Route 93N in Andover. He did not have a license (criminal offense); his car was unregistered (criminal offense); he did not have an inspection sticker and he was missing a plate (both civil infractions). AM was issued a citation for the four offenses and a clerk-magistrate hearing in Lawrence District Court was set up for April 22, 2026. AM was smart. He immediately got the car registered; he immediately got the plates attached; and he immediately got an inspection sticker. He had a license from India, but that is no good in the US. He was slow in making the attempts to get a license. AM consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover (two days before the hearing date!). Attorney Lewin had AM email to Attorney Lewin the new registration certificate and photos showing the new inspection sticker and the plates on the car. AM still had not taken care of the license. The night before the hearing AM took the learner’s permit test and passed and got an email from the Registry showing his learner’s permit. The next morning, April 22, 2026, AM and Attorney Lewin appeared at Lawrence District Court for the hearing. Attorney Lewin presented to the Clerk-Magistrate all the documents to show that AM had “cured” all the problems for which he had been cited. At Attorney Lewin’s request, the Clerk-Magistrate denied the police application for a crimimal complaint for the unlicensed operation and the unregistered motor vehicle and the Clerk-Magistrate found AM NOT responsible of the two civil violations. It was a complete and total win.

After the hearing, Attorney Lewin explained the following to AM:

NO criminal complaint was issued against AM.

April 22, 2026

46 YEAR OLD WARRANT CANCELLED – CASE DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

On March 15, 1980, DM, a then 18 year old woman, was alleged to have driven recklessly without headlights on and almost striking a pedestrian. She was given a citation for Reckless Operation and Operating without Headlights by the North Attleboro Police. She was living in Rhode Island at the time. She was summonsed to appear in Attleboro District Court and failed to appear in court. A warrant for her arrest was issued. Shortly thereafter DM moved to Florida. She has lived in FL for over 40 years. DM is now age 64 and when she went to renew her FL license, the Florida DMV told her they would not renew her license because she was under suspension in Massachusetts as a result of the outstanding warrant in Attleboro District Court. DM tried to resolve the case herself, but was unable to make any progress.

DM first consulted with Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Attorney Lewin explained to DM that some courts and judges require the person to appear in court personally to clear a warrant. Attorney Lewin told DM he would see what he could do. Attorney Lewin contacted the North Attleboro Police. The case was so old that no one now on the force had ever heard of the officer. Attorney Lewin then contacted the Court. By Friday, April 17, 2026, Attorney Lewin was successful in achieving the following results without anyone setting a foot inside the courthouse:

The warrant was CANCELLED

March 22, 2026

Violations of Abuse Prevention Order – DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

AK, a 47 year old scientist, and his former wife, DK, went through a bitter divorce. In March of 2025 she obtainerd an abuse prevention order against him which prevented him from contacting her – except by email and then only with reference to the children (they have two). Text messages and phone calls were prohibited. On January 5, 2026, DK went to the Ashland Police Department and reported that on December 25, 2025, and again on December 31, 2025, AK had violated the order by sending her text messages. She gave the police copies of the text messages. The police filed an application for a criminal complaint in Framingham District Court against AK alleging two separate violations of the Abuse Prevention Order. The Application for Criminal Complaint was set down for a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing on March 19, 2026.

AK met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover. Clearly, AK had violated the exact terms of the order by sending her the two text messages. BUT, there were tremedous mitigating circumstances:

The text message that AK sent on December 25, 2025 simply asked DK to make sure the children had their winter clothes as he was ourside waiting to pick them up

March 22, 2026

Ten Time Shoplifter: Case DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

JL, a 56 year old truck driver, was caught shoplifitng (by tampering with the price tags) at Walmart in North Reading on January 19, 2026. He was brought to the Asset Protection Office and the North Reading Police responded to the store. The Asset Protection Officer at Walmart informed the police that they had surveilled JL on TEN prior occassions shoplifting to the amount of $520.00. Because he had his young daughter with him, the police did not arrest him, but told him he would be summoned to Court. On February 4, 2026, JL went to Woburn District Court – without a lawyer (big mistake) – for a Clerk-Magistrate hearing and the Clerk-Magistrate issued a criminal complaint against JL for Shoplifting By Price Tag Tampering. JL contacted and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover.

The biggest problem with being caught shoplifting is the risk of conviction which brands you as a THIEF. And no one wants to hire a THIEF. JL made a big mistake by going to the Clerk-Magistrate hearing without a lawyer. Many of these shoplifitng cases – even for multiple offenders such as JL – can be settled at a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing without a criminal complaint being issued.

In any event, the Criminal Complaint against JL was set down for arraignment in Woburn District Court on March 18, 2026. Attorney Lewin reached out to the District Attorney’s Office before March 18, 2026 to discuss the case and to see if the case could be resolved favorably. On March 18, 2026, JL and Attorney Lewin appeared in Woburn District Court. Attorney Lewin spoke again to the Assistant DA and the Assistant DA said he would agree to recommend that the case be dismissed if JL agreed to pay $250 in court costs. The case was called in open court and Attorney Lewin and the Assistant DA told the Judge that the two sides had reached an agreement to dismiss the case upon the payment by JL of $250 in court costs. JL paid the $250.00. The Judge ordered the case dismissed.

March 15, 2026

Early Termination of Probation

by Robert D. Lewin

EK, a 29 year old US Citizen who had immigrated to the US from Kenya, was arrested on May 5, 2025 for OUI Liquor and Negligent Operation after driving across the front lawn of a house in Methuen. The entire episode was captured on video. On June 17, 2025 he pleaded guilty in Lawrence District Court and he received a typical first offense disposition. Both charges were continued for one year to June 17, 2026 without a finding with standard conditions of probation. EK was attending Law School in Kenya remotely via zoom; however, he had law school exams that began in January 2026 that could not be done remotely. The school required that all students be physically present in Kenya for the exams. His probation did not end until June 17, 2026. EK consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to see if the Judge would terminate his one year probation after just 6 months.

Attorney Lewin gathered all the necessary documents to show that EK had fully complied with his probation to date. EK had satisfactorily completed the Impaired Driver Program and a second program that had been ordered. In addition he had paid all his court fines. Attorney Lewin went over to the Court and met with EK’s probation officer and explained the situation to her and she did not voice any objection to a request to terminate his probation early. Attorney Lewin then prepared and filed a detailed Motion to Terminate Probation Early. Attorney Lewin explained to EK that in these OUI Liquor cases the Judges did not like to terminate probation early but that EK had nothing to lose by asking. The worst the Judge could say is no.

On December 17, 2025, EK and Attorney Lewin appeared before a Judge in Lawrence District Court. Attorney Lewin explained in detail the background of the case and the reasons that EK needed his probation terminated early. After a few moments of reflection, the Judge turned to EK and said: “I am going to do something I do NOT do; I am granting your Motion to Terminate your Probation early.”!