Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Blog

September 4, 2019

ASSAULT & BATTERY ON GIRLFRIEND CHARGE DISMISSED

KC is a 39 year old director of IT for a high tech company. He is married with two young children. For about two years KC was having an affair with a 26 year old teacher at the day care center where his children go every day. On Saturday, April 6, 2019 KC told his wife he was going out to a birthday party for a fellow employee. That part was true; what he didn’t tell his wife is that he was meeting his girlfriend after the party. At about 10:00 pm that night KC left the birthday party and went to a local bar in Danvers where he met up with his girlfriend. She had been drinking and she continued to drink. Sometime shortly after midnight KC and the girlfriend left the bar and got into KC’s car. They began to argue and she told him “You are never going to leave your wife.” At that point the girlfriend went crazy and began to punch and hit and scratch KC. KC put his arms up to block the girlfriend’s punches and in the process her nose was struck and began to bleed. She then got out of the car and walked across the street to a fire station where she told the firemen that her boyfriend had beat her up. He left and drove home. Within minutes the police were at his door and KC got arrested for a domestic assault and battery on his girlfriend. Fortunately KC had the presence of mind and the smarts to take pictures of himself and all the scratches that he had on his face and neck from his girlfriend. Unfortunately for KC, his wife was there when the police came and arrested him for assault and battery on his girlfriend. As he was being led off by the police she told him don’t bother coming back home.

KC went to Court the following Monday and was arraigned. He was ordered to have no contact with the girlfriend and to stay away from her. He went to live with a brother.

KC met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover. Attorney Lewin could see right away that she had been the aggressor in this case and that he had acted only in self-defense. Then the phone calls, the texts, and the emails began. The girlfriend was trying to contact KC at least 25 to 30 times each day. As instructed by Attorney Lewin, KC saved every text, email, and voice message that she left. In her texts she threatened him if he did not get back to her. Then the girlfriend contacted KC’s wife (in person, directly) and asked her what was going on with her marriage to KC. KC’s wife told the girlfriend he’s all yours if you want him.

September 3, 2019

EMPLOYEE THEFT CHARGES DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

KS, a 27 year old male from Reading, worked as a manger for a self-storage company with locations in many areas including Malden and Salem. Part of his job was to make deposits at the bank each day of the checks and cash he took in from customers. One day he was called into the office and accused of not making the deposits on several dates from both the Salem and Malden locations. He denied the accusations; however, he could not account for what happened to the checks and cash that were taken in on his watch. The police were called in and an investigation ensued and the evidence against KS was overwhelming.

KS had some emotional issues and a slight learning disability. KS’s parents got involved and contacted Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover. KS and his parents met with and then retained Attorney Lewin. Attorney Lewin explained to KS and his parents that if there is one thing that can help make this type of case go away it is paying the money back. The amounts of money were not large ($562 from the Salem facility and $457 from the Malden facility). KS and his family asked Attorney Lewin to see if the cases could by ended without court by paying the money back.

Attorney Lewin immediately contacted the Malden Police, the Salem Police, and the employer. The employer was interested in getting their money back and agreed to tell the police that if they were paid back they would not push for KS to be prosecuted in court. Attorney Lewin spoke directly with the Malden Police Officer handling the theft in Malden and he was agreeable to not bringing charges against KS if the money were paid back. The Salem Police, however, had already filed for a criminal complaint against KS prior to Attorney Lewin entering the case. That case was in Salem District Court; however, KS had not yet been arraigned. Attorney Lewin immediately contacted the District Attorney at Salem District Court and explained the situation. On July 8, 2019 KS and Attorney Lewin appeared in Salem District Court. Attorney Lewin asked that KS not be arraigned but that the arraignment be postponed to give the District Attorney time to confirm that the employer had been paid and that the employer was not interested in prosecution. The reason Attorney Lewin did not want KS to be arraigned is that once he would have been arraigned an entry would be made on KS’s criminal record. It is the taking place of the arraignment that creates a criminal record.

September 1, 2019

SHOOTING CHARGE DISMISSED IN LAWRENCE JUVENILE COURT

by Robert D. Lewin

KC, a 14 year old juvenile, resides with his parents in Georgetown, MA. For months he has been bullied by a 17 year old youth also from Georgetown. On Wednesday, April 3, 2019 KC was walking with several friends towards KC’s house. They were about thirty yards away from KC’s house when the bully rode by in a car. As the bully passed KC, the bully yelled out “Fuck you, you fucken pussie, you won’t fight me.” The car went up the street, turned around and came back. The bully got out of the car and yelled at KC “Fuck you; I’ll beat your ass.” The bully came at KC. KC happened to be carrying CO2 cartridge Air Soft Gun. He pulled out the gun which but for the orange tip and the white tape on the barrel looks just like a real gun. The bully kept advancing and KC fired the gun at the bully.

The police arrived within minutes. The gun was confiscated from KC. KC’s mother had arrived at the scene. Because of his young age the police did not arrest KC but told his mother that KC would be summonsed to juvenile court. Subsequently KC received a summons to appear in Lawrence Juvenile Court for an arraignment on a charge of Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon. This charge is a felony and is NOT a charge that can be diverted by a Judge.

KC’s mother and father contacted and with their son met with Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover. After a lengthy initial consultation which was free KC’s parents retained Attorney Lewin. It was very clear to Attorney Lewin that KC had acted in self-defense following a long period of bullying.

September 1, 2019

BREAKING AND ENTERING CHARGE DISMISSED AT CLERK-MAGISTRATE HEARING

by Robert D. Lewin

In 2018 DE graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover. On June 1, 2019 he decided to return to Andover to celebrate his first reunion with classmates and friends. Of course, there was a young lady who was due to graduated on June 2, 2019 and DE and she had been in a romantic relationship. She wanted to see him badly; in fact she wanted him to stay the night with her in her dorm room. She called him and texted him imploring him to come be with her. He did not want to and told her that he was with a number of friends. She persisted and finally he agreed. Her dorm was a locked dormitory. She opened the locked outer building door and left it wedged open so that he would be able to get in. He came to the wedged open door and entered the building and went up to her room. Subsequently another dorm resident reported that there was a male in the building and the dorm director went to the girl’s room. DE was discovered hiding in the closet. The girl, fearing that she would not be allowed to graduate the next day, told the dorm director that he had been calling her insisting that she let him in; that she had told him not to come to the dorm or her room; that he came anyway and that he burst into her room; that she told him to leave and that he refused. The school notified the police and the police charged DE with Breaking and Entering a building in the nighttime with the intent to cause a misdemeanor. The case was set up for a hearing before a Clerk-Magistrate at Lawrence District Court.

DE and his family live in New York and they were told to call Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover. DE and his father had an initial free consultation with Attorney Lewin on the phone that lasted about 1 1/2 hours. DE’s father immediately retained Attorney Lewin. Attorney Lewin had DE send to Attorney Lewin all the text messages that DE had exchanged with the girl. The text messages were terrific evidence that the girl had lied when she reported that he arrived uninvited. Not only did she explicitly insist that he stay overnight with her she asked him to “bring alcohol” (which he did not do).

On July 18, 2019 DE, his father, and Attorney Lewin appeared in Lawrence District Court for the Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. These Clerk-Magistrate Hearings are important because it is an opportunity to kill a criminal case BEFORE it goes before a judge and BEFORE it goes on your criminal record. At the hearing the police prosecutor read the police report. Attorney Lewin then produced the text messages and read them message by message. When Attorney Lewin was done the Clerk-Magistrate looked at the Police Prosecutor and said “where is the crime?” The young man was invited in and he had no intent to commit a crime when he entered the building. The Clerk-Magistrate denied the police application for a criminal complaint.

August 29, 2019

OLD WARRANT CANCELLED AND CASE DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

VK is a thirty-one year old Marine stationed is California. His work in the marines requires him to have a driver’s license. In 2005 VK was arrested by the Lowell Police for several misdemeanor charges. He never went to court and for 14 years a warrant for his arrest was outstanding. As a result of the warrant the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles suspended his license. In 2019 this suspension of his license finally caught up with VK. VK contacted Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover and explained his situation. On July 14, 2019 VK retained Attorney Lewin.

Attorney Lewin immediately went over to Lowell District Court and obtained copies of all the papers in VK’s case. Attorney Lewin then prepared a Motion to Waive (Excuse) VK’s personal appearance in Court, to Cancel the warrant, and to dismiss the case. Attorney Lewin met with the Assistant District Attorney and explained that VK was a career marine and needed to get the warrant cleared so that he could remain in the marines and that he did not have the funds to return to MA. The Assistant District Attorney was persuaded by Attorney Lewin’s request and agreed.

On July 16, 2019 (less than 48 hours after being hired) Attorney Lewin went into Lowell District Court. Attorney Lewin had the case brought forward and sent in to the main courtroom. Attorney Lewin went before the Judge and presented the Motion to Waive VK’s personal appearance in Court, cancel the warrant, and dismiss the case. The Assistant District Attorney told the Judge they had no objection. The Judge granted Attorney Lewin’s motion. The warrant was ordered CANCELLED and the case was ordered DISMISSED. The Judge was so impressed with VK’s service history (Attorney Lewin had received that via email from VK and given it to the Judge) that the Judge ordered the case dismissed prior to arraignment. Because the case was dismissed prior to arraignment the case does not go on VK’s criminal record. It is as if it did not happen.

August 29, 2019

ANOTHER DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND BATTERY DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

On March 30, 2019 SS, a 30 year old landscaper from Haverhill and his live in girlfriend got into an argument. They had both been drinking and the argument got heated. They live in an apartment building. A neighbor heard the argument and then heard a banging sound and the sound of a body being banged against the wall and then dropping to the floor. The neighbor then heard SS yell “Is this what you f—ing want?”. The neighbor called 911 and the Haverhill Police responded. The girlfriend told the police that SS had slammed her to the ground causing her whole body to hurt. SS told the police that she had attacked him and he simply put his hands up and pushed her away to avoid getting hit by her.

SS had an initial consultation with and hired Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover. At first SS wanted to work out a plea bargain in the case. Attorney Lewin told SS that his case was a triable case. SS then changed his mind and told Attorney Lewin that he wanted to fight the case. On April 22, 2019 the Haverhill District Court set a trial date of July 9, 2019.

Attorney Lewin met with the girlfriend. Because SS and the girlfriend were not married she did not have a “spousal privilege” which would allow her to refuse to testify. Because there was evidence that the girlfriend had attacked SS the girlfriend did have a Fifth Amendment privilege which would permit her to refuse to testify in the case. The girlfriend told Attorney Lewin that she wished to exercise her Fifth Amendment privilege.

June 4, 2019

SEXUAL CONDUCT FOR FEE CASE TO BE DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

XM, is a 46 year old project manager for a large contractor. XM resides in a community north of Boston and in March of 2019 ran an ad on Craig’s List soliciting sex (a hand job) for a fee ($40). The ad was picked up by the local police department and they set up a sting. An officer replied to the ad via email. An exchange of emails between the undercover cop and XM was recorded and a meet was set up. The price and the sexual conduct was agreed to in the emails. XM arrived at the agreed upon location at the agreed upon time. XM then sent an email describing his truck. The police arrived and XM was asked to come to the station which he agreed to do. At the station XM confessed. XM was not arrested but was told to expect paperwork from the Woburn District Court. XM consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin of North Andover. Attorney Lewin explained that it would be important to speak with the police prosecutor right away to see if a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing could be set up, before an actual criminal complaint was issued by the Court. Attorney Lewin spoke with the police prosecutor and explained XM’s situation. XM and his wife had just had a baby and his wife was suffering from post partum depression and it had been several months since they had had sex. He was just seeking a release and was willing to pay for it. Attorney Lewin advocated with the police to reach a resolution of the case at a Clerk-Magistrate hearing so that XM would not be charged. The police agreed to Attorney Lewin’s request.

On June 4, 2019 XM and Attorney Lewin appeared in Woburn District Court for a Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. The police report was read to the Clerk-Magistrate. The Clerk-Magistrate found that there was probable cause to issue the criminal complaint against XM and send the case to court. The Clerk-Magistrate asked Attorney Lewin about XM. Attorney Lewin gave a comprehensive background statement to the Clerk-Magistrate and asked the Clerk-Magistrate not to issue the criminal complaint. The Clerk-Magistrate agreed. The Clerk-Magistrate continued the hearing for six months and ordered that if XM stayed out of trouble with the law then on December 4, 2019 neither XM nor Attorney Lewin would have to return to court and the application for criminal complaint would be DISMISSED.

As a result of this disposition Attorney Lewin pointed out the following to XM

June 2, 2019

IMMEDIATE THREAT LICENSE SUSPENSION OVERTURNED

by Robert D. Lewin

On Thursday, May 23, 2019, NG, a 49 year old woman from Wilmington, was driving home from work. She exited off Route 93 at the Dascomb Road exit in Andover and fainted and crashed into a guardrail. The police and fire department arrived at the scene. According to the police report NG appeared disoriented and could not remember the moments leading up to the accident. The police submitted an immediate threat medical to the Registry and the next day, May 24, 2019, the Registry suspended NG’s license for “immediate threat medical”. On Wednesday, May 29, 2019 NG and her husband consulted with Attorney Robert Lewin of North Andover. Attorney Lewin explained the “immediate threat” process to NG and explained what NG had to do to get her license back. On Thursday, May 30, 2019 NG retained Attorney Lewin. Attorney Lewin explained that NG had to go first to the RMV and obtain the Medical Evaluation Form AND the Loss of Consciousness Form and the Police Report of immediate threat. Attorney Lewin explained to NG that she then had to go to her doctor and have her doctor complete both forms. Attorney Lewin further explained that when NG had the completed medical forms then NG and Attorney Lewin could go to the RMV and have a hearing to get NG’s license back. NG got very lucky as her doctor was available that same day. She went to her doctor and the doctor completed all the forms and certified that NG as competent to drive without a road test. The next day NG and Attorney Lewin went to the RMV in Lawrence and had a hearing. At the completion of the hearing the hearing officer reinstated NG’s license.

Within 48 hours of first meeting Attorney Lewin and within 24 hours of hiring Attorney Lewin NG had her license back. NG and her husband were thrilled. They both work and she absolutely needed her license. Success in this case was in great part dependent upon two facts: (1) that Attorney Lewin was intimately familiar with the “immediate threat process” and gave NG very specific instructions on what she had to do and (2) that NG followed through on all the instructions and did not delay.

April 22, 2019

JUVENILE FELONY CHARGE DIVERTED OUT OF LYNN JUVENILE COURT

by Robert D. Lewin

On April 2, 2019, EB, a 14 year old 8th grader from Lynn and a group of other youths gathered at an abandoned school building in Lynn and with a set of large wire cutters attempted to break into the building. The youths were caught by the police and charged with Possession of Burglar’s Tools (a felony), Attempted Breaking and Entering, and Trespass. EB (and his parents) were summonsed to appear in Lynn Juvenile Court for an arraignment on April 19, 2019. EB’s parents consulted with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover to represent EB.

Attorney Lewin immediately went to Lynn Juvenile Court and obtained copies of the police reports. Attorney Lewin then went to the District Attorney’s Office (next door to the Juvenile Court) and met with the staff of the Essex County Juvenile Diversion Program for Lynn Juvenile Court. Attorney Lewin pointed out that this was EB’s first violation of the criminal law and that EB was an excellent candidate for the Juvenile Diversion Program. The Juvenile Diversion Program is a program run by the District Attorney’s Office that literally diverts (removes) a case out of the Juvenile Court system. The program typically consists of some hours of community service, writing a paper, and getting counseling. In return for that the Juvenile case is DISMISSED and NO criminal/juvenile record is created. It is a win-win.

The District Attorney in EB’s case agreed with Attorney Lewin that EB was a good candidate for diversion. On April 19, 2019 EB, his parents, and Attorney Lewin appeared in Lynn Juvenile Court. Although the case was scheduled for EB to be arraigned, the arraignment did NOT take place and EB’s case was diverted out of the Court system. EB has to do 20 hours of community service and meet with a counselor. If EB complies with the program and stays out of trouble then in six months EB will NOT have to return to Court and all the charges will be DISMISSED. Because EB’s case was diverted prior to EB being arraigned, EB will not have any criminal or juvenile record. That is why diversion can be such a favorable resolution of a case.

April 20, 2019

ROAD RAGE CHARGE AVOIDED

by Robert D. Lewin

On December 30, 2018, MQ, a 51 year old woman from Billerica, drove to the Burlington Mall. She entered the parking lot and searched for a space. She spotted a space in an aisle and headed toward the space. As she approached the space a woman (whom we shall call W) driving an SUV coming from the opposite direction pulled into the space directly passing by the front of MQ’s car. According to a Burlington Police Department Report, W told police that MQ stopped her vehicle and began screaming at W “F–k you, I was waiting for that space.” According to the police report W said that MQ continued screaming. As W (and her teenage daughter) began to walk toward the mall entrance W wrote down the plate number of MQ’s vehicle. W also noticed MQ walking around W’s car. W entered the mall and did her shopping. When she came back out and went to her car there was a long scratch that went around the car (the whole passenger side, the front hood, and the whole driver side). W immediately called the police. The Burlington Police responded. From the license plate they learned that the owner of the car was MQ and they called MQ. According to the police report MQ denied scratching the car, but then began “yelling into the phone “I was walking around the car because I was thinking about keying it but I never did.”

The police filed an application for criminal complaint against MQ for malicious damage to a motor vehicle. A conviction of this offense carries a one year loss of your driver license.

MQ sought out an attorney. She met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover. Attorney Lewin explained the law in detail to MQ and cautioned her that a conviction would carry a one-year loss of her driver’s license. MQ lived in Billerica and worked in Cambridge and absolutely needed a license to get back and forth to work.