Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Blog

August 21, 2025

UNINSURED, UNREGISTERED, IMPROPER TURN & NO SEAT BELT CHARGES AVOIDED

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, DT, a 27 year old assembler, drove to the Dunkin store on Rt. 125 in Bradford near the Ward Hill entrance to Rt. 495. When he exited the store there are large signs indicating you cannot make a left turn. DT turned left across the double yellow sign and proceeded north on Rt. 125. Unfortunately for DT there was a Haverhill Police car sitting there watching him. The blues came on and DT got pulled over. He was not wearing his seat belt. The officer took his license and registration and went back to the police car. When the officer ran the registration, he learned that the insuance had been cancelled for non payment of premiums and as a result the registration had been revoked by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The officer gave DT a citation for the four violations and had the car towed.

To his credit, DT immediately contacted his insurance company and paid the premium due for the insurance. He then went to the RMV and got his registration reinstated. DT requested a hearing. A person receiving a citation (where there is no arrest) has four days to request a hearing to challenge the citation.

DT contacted and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to represent him. Attorney Lewin immediately contacted DT’s insurance company and obtained a copy of DT’s insurance policy showing that it had been renewed the very same day that he had been stopped by the police. In addition, Attorney Lewin obtained a copy of the new certificate of registration to show that the registration has been reinstated. Lastly, Attorney Lewin obtained a copy of DT’s driver history from the RMV. It was completely clean! He had never got a ticket for anything! Attorney Lewin spoke to the Haverhill Police Prosecutor and furnished the police prosecutor with copies of all the paperwrk that Attorney Lewin had obtained. Attorney Lewin asked the police prosecutor if he would agree to drop the unregistered and uninsured charges. (Operating an Uninsuired Motor Vehicle is a criminal offense that carries with it a loss of your license.)

August 5, 2025

Shoplifting Charge Avoided in Worcester District Court

by Robert D. Lewin

On June 16, 2025, JB, an 18 year old high school graduate, and his girlfriend went shopping at the Target in Millbury. JB picked up a number of items and concealed them in his backpack. The items had a retail value of $178.56. JB went through the self checkout line and paid for one small case of soda. His girlfriend walked out with a package of lollipops for which she did not pay. Loss prevention personnel stopped JB as he was about to exit the store and brought him back to the loss prevention office. The Millbury Police responded to the store and took JB’s information and told him he would be summonsed to Court. The loss prevention people also discovered that JB and his girlfriend had been identified as shoplifting at the Target store in Salem, MA.

JB then received a notice that the police had applied for a crimimal complaint against him for Shoplifting by Concealment of merchandise at Worcester District Court. The hearing was set for August 5, 2025. JB retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to represent him.

Attorney Lewin immediately contacted the police prosecutor from Millbury to discuss the case with him. It was important to note that JB had just graduated technical high school and was awaiting admission into the carpenters’ union. The big problem with a shoplifting charge is that once it is on your record you get branded as a thief; and no one wants to hire a thief. Attorney Lewin explained in detail to the police prosecutor JB’s situation.

August 5, 2025

Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle 5th Offense To Be Dismissed

by Robert D. Lewin

DF, a 48 year old self employed electrician, had four prior oprating uninsured motor vehicle cases when he got stopped by the State Police in Dedham. He had one plate on his vehicle (Masssachusetts requires both a rear and front plate) when he got pulled over. The Trooper ran the one plate and saw that DF’s vehicle was uninsured. The Trooper had the car towed and cited DF for a plate violation and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Unfortunately for DF his case was in Dedham District Court. The presiding judge in Dedham treats these motor vehicle charges seriously and is not prone to dismssing them. A conviction carriers a 60 day loss of license – which for DF, a self-employed electrician – would put him out of business. Over a number of months DF appeared in Dedham District Court but he was unable to get a resolution of the case that would not involve him losing his license. Finally, DF sought out and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to represent him. The Judge kept bringing up the fact that DF had a history of these cases.

On July 31, 2025, DF and Attorney Lewin appeared in Dedham District Court. Attorney Lewin had done his homework and had obtained letters from DF’s Insurance company that showed that DF had in fact had insurance on a number of those prior cases and that in the Dedham case his insurance had been cancelled because of a change in credit cards. And Attorney Lewin was able to show that DF had rectified the insurance issue in the Dedham case the very same day that he was stopped in Dedham. The Judge was pushing DF (and Attorney Lewin) to get DF to plead guilty. Attorney Lewin absolutely refused and pushed back. Ultimately the Judge agreed to continue DF’s case for 3 months and dismiss the case if DF stayed out of trouble. This was NOT a continuance without a finding (which requires an admisdsion of guilt). There was NO admission of guilt or wrongdoing on DF’s part. In three months the case will be dismissed and DF will NOT lose his license.

Attorney Robert Lewin brings to all his cases a level of experience, preparation, and fight that is rarely seen. Attorney Lewin was an Assistant District Attorney from 1972-1975, and for the last 50 years has done nothing but criminal defense. The results he gets for clients speak for themselves.

June 18, 2025

Another Domestic Assault & Battery Case DISMISSED – Haverhill District Court

by Robert D. Lewin

On March 2, 2024, DM, a 31 year old project manager, was living in Haverhill with his girlfriend. They had been in a dating relatuionship for two years. On that night he had been drinking heavily and got into an argument with his girlfriend about his drinking. At one point he lunged at her and tackled her (football style) throwing her down to the floor. She scratched him to get away, ran out of the apartment, and called 911. The police responded and took a statement from her in whicvh she described the attack in detail. The police spoke with DM, noted his intoxication, and in the converstaion he admitted to the police that he had tackled her and threw her down to the floor. He was cuffed and arrested and brought to the Haverhill PD. On March 4, 2025 he was arraigned in Haverhill Diostrict Court and his case was continued. DM met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover.

Attorney Lewin immediately began to work on the case. He obtained a copy of the 911 call. He also noted that there was no mention of photos or videos or body worn camera recordings in the police report. Attorney Lewin had contact with DM’s girlfriend. It was her wish that DM get help for his drinking and his anger managment.

DM told Attorney Lewin that he did not want ot go to jail and that if he could avoid a conviction that would be a real bonus. Attorney Lewin had numerous conversations with the Assistant District Attorney about resolving the case and Attorney Lewin was finally able to convince the Assistant DA to agree to a general continuance of the case followed by a dismissal.

June 11, 2025

Domestic Assault & Battery & Strangulation – NOT GUILTY Jury Verdict in Lowell District Court

by Robert D. Lewin

On November 23, 2024, Bill M., a 60 year old Union President was arrested and accused of Strangling and Beating a 40 year old woman who lived with him. (You should read Bill’s Google review of Attorney Lewin posted around June 9, 2025.) She had marks on her neck where she told the police he choked her. The police observed the marks and photographed them. Bill absolutely denied touching her. He was arraigned on November 25, 2024 and his case was then continued. Bill met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover. (Identical charges had been brought against Bill in 2018 that Attorney Lewin handled and Attorney Lewin was successful in getting those charges dismissed.)

Bill was a terrific client and was able to furnish Attorney Lewin with videos of the woman assaulting him. In addition, Bill was able to give Attorney Lewin a complete history of his relationship with this woman. She was a drug addict. Attorney Lewin spent days preparing the case for trial. Attorney Lewin and Bill had trial preparation sessions in the days leading up to the trial.

On Thursday, May 29, 2025 Bill and Attorney Lewin appeared in Lowell District Court and both the Commonwealth and Attorney Lewin answered that they were ready for trial. The trial began that morning. By mid-afternoon the Commonwealth had rested their case. Attorney Lewin immediately asked the Judge to enter a NOT guuilty finding on ther strangulation charge. It is not enough for the state to prove that he put his hands around her neck; and it is not enough for the state to prove that he applied prerssure to her neck; strangulation requires the state to prove that as a result of his placing his hands around her neck and applying pressure to her neck that he intentionaly interfered with the normal breathing or circulation of blood. There was no evidence of that requirment. The Judge agreed with Attorney Lewin and removed that charge from the Jury’s consideration and the Judge entered a finding of NOT guilty on the strangulation charge.

May 21, 2025

15 Time Shoplifter – Complaint Avoided

by Robert D. Lewin

On December 21, 2024, NP, a 35 year old female hospital operating room technician was caught shoplifting at the Target store in Lowell. She went through the self checkout without scanning an item. A loss prevention officer caught up to her and brought her back into the store. The Lowell Police were called to the store. The Target stores use facial recognition technology to identify shoplifters. Unfortunately for NP, this was the 15th time she had been observed (and recorded) shoplifting at Target in Lowell and Salem, NH. The police told NP she would receive papers to go to Lowell District Court.

NP consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover. A Clerk-Magistrate hearing was set up for May 9, 2025. The purpose of the Clerk-Magistrate Hearing is for the Clerk-Magistrate to decide whether to issue a formal criminal complaint against the accused person. NP has no criminal record and a criminal record for shoplifting (which in reality is stealing) could cost her a job. If the Clerk-Magistrate issues a criminal complaint then the accused has to return to court for an arraignment in front of a Judge and a criminal record is created. If the Clerk-Magistrate can be persuaded not to issue a criminal complaint, then the accused is not charged and no criminal record is created. The Defense lawyer’s goal is to do his or her best to convince the Clerk-Magistrate not to issue the complaint.

Attorney Lewin went to work immediately. Attorney Lewin has established an excellent working relationship with Asset Loss Prevention team at Target and with the Police Prosecutors from Lowell. Attorney Lewin immediately contacted the Asset Protection team at Target. Attorney Lewin also contacted the police prosecutor at the Lowell PD. Attorney Lewin was able to get the police and Target not to oppose Attorney Lewin’s request for a criminal complaint NOT to be issued against NP.

May 20, 2025

Another Hit and Run Charge Avoided

by Robert D. Lewin

On March 20, 2025, JB, a 20 year old male, was driving his Mother’s car on I-95 in Boxford. He lost control of the car and the car went off the left side of the road striking the “cable retention system”, taking out six posts and damaging 72 feet of cable wire. JB panicked and continued driving the badly damaged car. He took the next exit off the highway, parked on the side of the road, and fled the scene. The car was found by the local police. They ran the plate and then went to JB’s house. JB and his mother were present. JB confessed to the police. The State Police issued a citation to JB for Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident and a Marked Lane Violation. JB and his Mother contacted Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover and they retained Attorney Lewin.

Attorney Lewin then took the following actions:

Attorney immediately brought the citation over to Haverhill District Court and requested a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing.

May 19, 2025

Another Domestic Assault & Battery Dismissed

by Robert D. Lewin

TO is a 26 year old physical education (gym) teacher in a local elementary school. On October 12, 2024, TO was arrested and charged with Assault and Battery on her sister, Assault & Battery on a Household Member (her live in boyfriend) , and Disorderly Conduct. The police had been called to TO’s apartment and found TO’s sister outside sitting on the ground with blood coming from her mouth and lip. Witnesses told the police that TO had gone after her sister and TO had her sister on the ground and was punching her about the head. Witnesses also told police that TO had gone after her boyfriend and had to be separated from her boyfriend. When the police started to ask everyone what happened TO began to yell and scream at the police. The police finally put TO in cuffs and removed her from the scene under arrest. She was later bailed from the police station and told to report to Peabody District Court on October 15, 2024 for arraignment. The next day, TO met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to represent her. On October 15, 2024, TO and Attorney Lewin appeared in Peabody District Court and TO was arraigned. Her case was continued to November 19, 2024 for a pre-trial hearing.

Attorney Lewin then spoke with TO’s sister and her boyfriend. After speaking with Attorney Lewin the sister and boyfriend both agreed to tell the District Attorney that they wanted the charges dismissed. Attorney Lewin then met with the Assistant District Attorney and an agreement was reached to resolve the case favorably.

On November 19, 2024, TO and Attorney Lewin appeared in Peabody District Court. By agreement, TO’s case was continued for 6 months to May 19, 2025 with an order that the case was to be dismissed if there were no reports of any further trouble.

May 18, 2025

Hit & Run Case – DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

On September 13, 2024, at midnight, MS, a 59 year old man was driving his large, elevated pick-up truck in Everett. He approached an emergency construction site where a police officer was working a detail in an unmarked police car. The officer noticed the pick up truck approaching the officer’s vehicle from the rear. The officer noticed that the pick up was too far to the right hand side of the road and was heading toward the officer’s car. The pick up side swiped officer’s car, making a loud screeching noise as it grinded against the officer’s car. The pick up never slowed or stopped but kept on going. The officer activated the blue lights and siren in the unmarked vehicle. The officer pursued the pick up down a number of streets and through several intersections; the pick up did not stop. Finally other police cars joined the chase and forced the pick up to the side of the road. The police report reads “Officer C.. opened the driver’s side door and the operator was brought down to the ground belly first and handcuffed” MS asked the officer what he did and the officer pointed to his car. MS replied “I hit it?” MS was arrested. He was bailed from the police station and told to report to Malden Court on September 16, 2024.

MS consulted with and immediately retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover. On September 16, 2024 MS and Attorney Lewin appeared in Malden Court and MS was arraigned; his case was continued to November 14, 2024 for a pre-trial hearing. After investigating the case and personally viewing MS’s truck (which had very little damage) it became apparent to Attorney Lewin that MS never realized his huge pick up truck had actually scraped the parked unmarked police car.

Attorney Lewin met with the Assistant DA at Malden Court and furnished the DA with pictures of MS’s truck. On November 14, 2024 the DA agreed to continue the case for six months(without any admission of guilt or wrongdoing) to April 24, 2025. On April 24, 2025 the case was dismissed. MS was thrilled with the result.

April 28, 2025

Assault & Battery Case DISMISSED Prior To Arraignment

by Robert D. Lewin

RP is a 38 year old elementary school teacher living in Haverhill. On September 30, 2024 RP got into an argument with her younger sister and slapped her sister across the face. RP fled the house after striking her sister and the sister called 911. The police responded and called RP, but she refused to “turn herself in”. The police went to Haverhill District Court and filed a criminal complaint against RP for Assault and Battery. The court issued a summons for RP to appear for an arraignment on November 5, 2024. RP met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin to represent her in Haverhill District Court.

Prior to the arraignment date, Attorney Lewin prepared and filed at the Court a Motion for a pre-arraignment disposition. When an arraignment takes place in a criminal case, a criminal record is created and an entry is made in the statewide Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. Also prior to the arraignment date Attorney Lewin met with the Assistant DA at Haverhill Court to discuss a pre-arraignment disposition. Lastly, prior to the arraignment date, Attorney Lewin spoke to RP’s sister. The two women had settled their differences.

Because RP is an elementary school teacher, it was/is imperative for her NOT to have any criminal record – and in particular not to have any criminal record for assaultive behavior. Having such a record would probably cost her her job.