Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Blog

September 2, 2014

GIRLFRIEND ASSAULTS BOYFRIEND WITH KITCHEN KNIFE: CASE DISMISSED

On September 24, 2013 AC, a 33 year old female living in Malden with her 32 year old boyfriend (JR), learned that JR was using drugs. JR was sleeping. AC went into the bedroom and proceeded to wake JR up. This is where the stories diverge. According to the Malden Police Reports JR told the police that AC was standing over the bed with a large kitchen knife in her hand when she woke him up. When he saw the knife he ran to the bathroom and locked the bathroom door behind him. At that point AC began “stabbing” the door with the knife actually making a large hole in the door. AC then decided to run from the apartment. She left but then decided to go back. JR called 911. AC and JR struggled when she tried to get back in. The Malden Police responded to the scene and spoke to both JR and AC. The police arrested AC and charged her with Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (the knife). There was a third party present in the apartment when all this happened, a girlfriend of AC. The girlfriend told the police that JR and AC had argued first and that JR had struck AC in the mouth causing her mouth to bleed and that he had also grabbed her arms causing her arms to bruise; it was only after JR had attacked AC that AC went into the kitchen and got the knife.

AC was arraigned on a felony charge of Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon. AC retained Attorney Robert Lewin. In order to level the playing field Attorney Lewin had AC apply for a criminal complaint against JR for Assault and Battery (the punch to the mouth and the grabbing of her arms) as well as an abuse prevention order. A criminal complaint was issued against JR and an abuse prevention order was entered against JR. This greatly leveled the playing field and gave AC leverage to defend against the Felony Assault charge. AC had a high powered job with a high tech firm in the medical field and a felony conviction would destroy her career.

As luck would have it JR just could not stay away from AC. He quickly violated the Abuse Prevention Order twice and found himself locked up. On March 10, 2014 the charge against AC was scheduled for trial. AC and Attorney Lewin showed up in Malden Court and answered ready for trial. JR – because he had three outstanding criminal charges – exercised his fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination and refused to testify. The case against AC was dismissed.

August 31, 2014

OPERATING AFTER SUSPENSION 3RD OFFENSE – DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

On June 6, 2013 RS, a 56 year old union insulator, was driving in Lowell when his vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The police responded to the scene of the accident and it was determined that RS’s license was suspended. The suspension was for non-payment of his child support obligations. RS had two prior operating after suspensions on his record and an old DUI. RS was arraigned in Lowell District Court on January 15, 2014 and his case was continued for a pre-trial hearing to February 5, 2014. If convicted as a subsequent offender RS would have lost his license for an additional year and faced the possibility of up to a year in jail. RS met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin.

Attorney Lewin realized that RS needed to drive and that a conviction had to be avoided. Attorney Lewin met with the Assistant DA handling the case and could sense that the DA had not looked closely at the record. Attorney Lewin mentioned nothing of RS’s prior record. On February 5, 2014 RS and Attorney Lewin appeared in Lowell District Court. Attorney Lewin approached the Assistant DA and suggested a dismissal of the case upon the payment of $250.00 in court costs. The Assistant DA bit the hook and the case was dismissed on the payment of the $250. (In fact RS had brought $1,000 to court with him but only needed the $250.) RS was thrilled with the result and left the court a happy camper.

August 31, 2014

DOMESTIC ASSAULT & BATTERY DISMISSED – CHINESE COUPLE

by Robert D. Lewin

On January 4, 2014 LW, a Chinese national in the US on a work visa, was arrested at his home in Malden after his wife, also a Chinese national, called the Malden Police to report that he had shoved her and slapped her on the face. He was arraigned on the charge of domestic assault & battery in Malden Court on January 6, 2014 and his case was continued to February 11, 2014 for a pre-trial hearing. LW met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin. Attorney Lewin explained how reluctant the Middlesex County DA’s Office was to dismiss domestic assault & battery cases. Attorney Lewin spoke at length with LW’s wife; she indicated that she did not want to testify against her husband and that she wanted the case dismissed. Attorney Lewin prepared a marital affidavit which LW’s wife signed. Attorney Lewin obtained an English translation of their Chinese marriage certificate. Attorney Lewin met with the Assistant DA and presented the Marital Affidavit to the Assistant DA and put LW’s wife in contact with the Assistant DA. On February 11, 2014 Attorney Lewin and LW and LW’s wife appeared in Malden District Court. Attorney Lewin explained to the Judge that LW’s wife was present in the court and that she did not want to testify against her husband. The Judge read the marital affidavit that Attorney Lewin had prepared that LW’s wife had signed. The Judge then questioned LW’s wife to make sure that she was not being forced into not testifying against her husband. The Assistant DA then relented and agreed to dismiss the case at the pre-trial hearing. As with many of these cases, the case was won in the preparation. The result of a dismissal was critical for LW because had he been convicted or even had his case been continued without a finding then he would have been subject to deportation back to China. Needless to say he was happy with the result and he was happy that it was obtained so quickly.

August 2, 2014

ANOTHER NOT GUILTY IN A DOMESTIC ASSAULT

by Robert D. Lewin

On March 14, 2014, MR, a 39 year old woman and her husband, were in the waiting room of a psychologist’s office in North Andover. They were getting divorced and were litigating in the Probate Court who was going to get custody of their 9 year old daughter. The Probate Court judge had appointed the psychologist to investigate the issue of custody. On March 14, 2014 the psychologist wanted to speak to their daughter and then to MR and her husband. While the psychologist was speaking to their daughter MR went to use the bathroom. When she exited the bathroom MR claimed that her husband (a Doctor) pushed her to the floor. The Husband claimed that MR had stepped on his foot and then in a very controlled manner fell to the floor. He claimed he never touched her. When MR landed on the floor she screamed. The psychologist came out of his office. The psychologist, MR, and her husband all called 911. The police came. The police charged BOTH MR and her husband with domestic assault. The husband wanted for both MR and himself to exercise their marital privilege and not testify against each other and have both cases dismissed. MR refused. MR retained Attorney Robert Lewin. Attorney Lewin reviewed the police reports and felt strongly that the case against MR was very weak and that MR should go to trial. MR had had the presence of mind to take pictures of a cut on her elbow and a bruise on her leg that she had sustained when her husband threw her to the floor. Attorney Lewin made color enlargements of the photos. On July 29, 2014 the case against MR went to jury trial in Lawrence District Court. Attorney Lewin had thoroughly prepared MR for her testifying at her trial. MR was concerned that her husband was a “convincing talker” and “made a nice appearance”. Attorney Lewin told MR, not to worry about her husband that Attorney Lewin would deal with his “slickness” on cross examination. The trial began; the Husband testified and Attorney Lewin through cross examination was able to show that the husband was an angry man. The jury saw it. MR testified and followed all the lessons that Attorney Lewin had given her: she looked at the jury when she testified, she was polite but firm, she answered her questions with precision and confidence. The jury went out to deliberate at 12:47 PM; seven minutes later we were all back in the court room. The Jury had reached their verdict. MR was found NOT guilty. MR was thrilled. Attorney Lewin has been practicing criminal law since 1971. In 43 years of practice this was the quickest verdict that Attorney Lewin has had. As a Judge in Lawrence District Court said to Attorney Robert Lewin recently in another jury trial that ended with a not guilty verdict, “Bob, you still got your fastball”.

July 8, 2014

OUI 2nd. NOT GUILTY. LICENSE RESTORED

by Robert D. Lewin

On March 16, 2014 FA (a 28 year old male auto mechanic from Malden) was arrested in Wakefield at about 5:30 AM and charged with OUI Liquor, 2nd Offense. FA had been at a friend’s house playing video games and had consumed several beers during the course of the night. He and his host and another friend fell asleep at around 2:00 AM. FA awoke at about 5:00 AM and with one friend decided to drive to his own home. FA and the friend got into FA’s car. FA pulled down the street took a right turn and suddenly went across the road into a utility pole. FA, who had not been wearing his seat belt, hit his head against the windshield and had a head injury. The police, fire, and EMTs all responded to the accident scene. FA declined medical treatment. The police smelled liquor on FA’s breath, claimed he was unsteady and was slurring his speech. Field sobriety tests were administered which FA could not do. He was arrested for OUI Liquor. A record search by the police revealed a prior OUI conviction from 2005. FA was brought to the Wakefield Police Station and declined to take a breath test. As a result of refusing the breath test his license was revoked for three years. FA went to Malden Court the next morning and was arraigned and his case was continued for pre-trial. FA sought out Attorney Robert Lewin.

Attorney Lewin took a detailed statement of the facts and then spoke with FA’s two friends. It became clear to Attorney Lewin that FA’s case was a very triable case. The crash of the car into the utility pole could be explained by a broken tie rod. His unsteadiness and slurred speech were the results of the head injuries he sustained in the accident. The poor performance on the field sobriety tests was directly related to (1) his injuries in the accident and (2) the fact that it was very cold outside and he was dressed only in dress pants and a dress shirt. No sweater or jacket. Attorney Lewin also turned the focus back onto the Wakefield Police. That police station is loaded with video cameras and video monitors; yet the officers testified that they were unaware if the video system had the ability to record. That was testimony the jury must have found hard to believe. After an all day trial on June 24, 2014 the case went to the jury at 4:00 PM; at 4:35 PM the jury came in with a NOT Guilty verdict.

The OUI Law permits (but does not require) the trial judge to order the Registry of Motor Vehicles to reinstate an accused’s license following a NOT Guilty verdict. On July 8, 2014 FA and Attorney Lewin appeared before the trial Judge and after a hearing the Judge granted Attorney Lewin’s Motion to restore FA’s License. FA left the court house, gave Attorney Lewin a big “thank you” and headed for the Registry to get his license.

May 13, 2014

Operating After Suspension After OUI Charge DISMISSED

by Robert D. Lewin

On March 14, 2014 EB, a 42 year old RN was observed operating a motor vehicle on the Mass. Pike. The state police ran a random check of the Registration Plate and it indicated that the owner of the vehicle was a 42 year old female whose license had been revoked for two years following a conviction for OUI 2nd Offense in November 2013. The trooper pulled EB over and she immediately confessed to the officer that her license was revoked for two years as the result of her conviction for OUI Second Offense. After considerable pleading by EB the Trooper did not arrest EB but issued her a citation for OAS for OUI (Operating After Suspension where the suspension is the result of an OUI Conviction). The trooper had her car towed from the scene. This offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 days in the House of Correction, no exceptions.

EB immediately contacted Attorney Robert Lewin. Attorney Lewin directed EB to IMMEDIATELY go to the Waltham District Court and request a hearing. The next day EB went to Waltham District Court and requested a hearing.

EB was a widow and the single parent of a 12 year old son. She worked full time as a nurse and was a cancer surgery survivor. The best hope for avoiding the 60 day jail sentence (maximum 2 1/2 years) was to try to resolve the case at the Clerk-Magistrate Hearing without a criminal complaint issuing. Attorney Lewin reached out to the State Trooper who issued the citation to thank him for not arresting EB, but rather citing her.

April 23, 2014

OPEN & GROSS LEWDNESS CHARGE AVOIDED

by Robert D. Lewin

On February 24, 2014 JV, a 66 year old retired carpenter, woke up at about 7:30 in the morning. He sleeps in just a t-shirt. He got out of bed and walked over to a living room window and stood by the window looking outside. His private parts were exposed. According to a Winthrop Police Report an 11 year old boy living one house over looked over at JV and saw JV masturbating. The 11 year old boy got his Mother and she also looked over at JV’s house and she also observed JV masturbating. The mother called the police who responded. After an investigation the police applied for a criminal complaint against JV for Open and Gross Lewdness, a felony in Massachusetts. JV retained Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover.

Attorney Lewin obtained copies of the police reports and then contacted the Police Prosecutor. Attorney Lewin had several discussions with the Police and ultimately the Police agreed not to push for the issuance of a criminal complaint. On April 23, 2014 JV and Attorney Lewin appeared in East Boston District Court for the hearing on the application for a criminal complaint that had been filed by the Police. Attorney Lewin explained to the Clerk-Magistrate that the case had been discussed at length with the police and that Attorney Lewin was requesting that no complaint be issued, but rather that the matter be left open for 1 year with the application to be dismissed at the end of the 1 year if JV is in no further trouble with the law. As a result of this disposition JV was not arrested, he was not charged with a crime, no criminal complaint was issued against him, he did not have to appear in open court before a judge, no entry of the case was made on JV’s CORI (criminal record), and there was no public notice of the charge that had been applied for against him. JV (and his wife) walked out of East Boston District Court very relieved and very happy that their court ordeal ended well.

April 10, 2014

ANOTHER ASSAULT & BATTERY CHARGE AVOIDED

by Robert D. Lewin

On Friday, December 13, 2013, DL, a 44 year old truck driver from Dracut was delivering a load of crushed stone to a construction site in Andover. DL and the foreman at the construction site got into a heated argument about where the crushed stone was to be dropped. DL (well over six feet tall and well over 250 pounds) got down out of his truck and went chest to chest with the foreman. According to the police reports, the foreman began to turn away from DL and DL then punched the foreman in the face. According to the foreman DL then jumped on top of the foreman and beat him about the face. When questioned by the police DL told the police that the foreman had bumped DL in the chest and then cocked his arm back as if he was going to hit DL when DL in self-defense punched the foreman in the face. The Andover Police filed an application for a criminal complaint against DL for assault and battery. DL retained Attorney Robert Lewin.

Attorney Lewin told DL that he should apply for a criminal complaint against the foreman for assault and battery (the chest bump). Attorney Lewin told DL that this would level the playing field and might convince the foreman to drop the case. On April 10, 2014 DL and Attorney Lewin and the foreman and his lawyer and the Andover Prosecutor were all present in Lawrence District Court for the hearing on the cross complaints for assault and battery. The foreman had taken a pretty good beating and had photos of his face and a hospital report. Attorney Lewin took the foreman’s lawyer aside before the hearing and said that neither the foreman (who has a criminal record) nor DL should want criminal complaints to issue. Attorney Lewin suggested that if each of the two men refused to testify and agreed for no complaints to issue that it was very likely the clerk-magistrate would go along. The foreman’s lawyer said the foreman was adamant about going forward with the hearing. The hearing proceeded: the foreman came off as a wise guy; DL came off as sincere. The Clerk asked to hear first from Attorney Lewin. Attorney Lewin acknowledged that there was probable cause to issue the two complaints (one against each man) but it was in the best interest of both men to walk away from this fight with no criminal complaints. The foreman’s lawyer began to speak and the Clerk interrupted and told him that there was probable cause to issue complaints against both men. The Clerk asked if that was what the foreman really wanted. At that point the foreman and his lawyer talked and agreed that everything would be dismissed. Both applications for criminal complaints were then dismissed. Had DL not filed for a complaint against the foreman the complaint against DL would have been issued. As a result of the Clerk not issuing any complaints, DL does not have to return to court, he does not have to appear before a Judge, and he has no criminal record.

April 9, 2014

9 YEAR OLD WARRANT CANCELLED

by Robert D. Lewin

Back in 2005 PT, then age 31, kited checks at a local bank in Holyoke, MA and ended up owing the bank $1,100.00. Check kiting is illegal and when he refused to pay the bank the $1,100.00 a criminal complaint for Larceny by Check Over $250 was taken out against PT. PT defaulted in Court and took off for Texas. In 2014 PT went to renew his Texas License and was told he could not renew it because he had an outstanding warrant in Massachusetts. PT remembered virtually nothing about the case. PT contacted Attorney Robert Lewin. Attorney Lewin – that same day – contacted the Court and the Holyoke Police and was able to determine the facts of the case, the amount of money owing, that the investigating officer had retired from the police force and the investigator for the bank had also retired. PT retained Attorney Lewin. Attorney Lewin spoke the next day with the Assistant District Attorney at the court; the DA’s Office agreed that if PT paid the $1,100.00 forthwith then the DA’s Office would agree to dismiss the case – and PT would not have to come up to Massachusetts. Attorney Lewin called PT and gave him his options: (1) He could come up to Massachusetts and fight the case and probably win it of (2) he could pay the $1,100.00, not have to come to Massachusetts, and probably get the case dismissed. PT’s wife wired the $1,100.00 to Attorney Lewin the next day. On Tuesday, April 8, 2014 Attorney Lewin appeared in Holyoke District Court and presented a Motion to waive PT’s personal appearance in Court. The judge granted the Motion, Attorney Lewin paid the $1,100.00 to the Court, the default was removed, the warrant cancelled, and the case dismissed. The suspension of PT’s right to operate a motor vehicle imposed by the Massachusetts RMV because of the warrant in Holyoke District Court has been lifted and PT can now go to the Texas DMV and get his Texas license renewed. From the date PT hired Attorney Lewin to the date the warrant got cancelled and the case was dismissed consumed 7 business days. Like many people who have outstanding warrants PT was afraid to deal with it and thought it would never rear its head. Neither PT nor his wife could believe that the case got so favorably resolved, so quickly, without PT having to come to Massachusetts.

April 9, 2014

ANOTHER DUI NOT GUILTY

by Robert D. Lewin

At about 2:00 AM on February 4, 2014 the Andover police noticed a car parked on a street near downtown Andover. The car was running and the lights were on. MG, a 41 year old man from North Andover was alone in the car, in the front seat, slumped over the steering wheel. He appeared to be either asleep or passed out. The police banged on the car and rocked the car in an attempt to get his attention – no luck. The police then smashed the rear driver’s side window and gained access to the car and unlocked the door. MG was alive and breathing but efforts to wake him were progressing slowly. According to the police report a strong odor of alcohol was coming from him and the car. In addition the police found a beer carton in the back seat with a number of empty beer bottles in the carton. Finally the police were able to awaken MG. According to the police report MG was disoriented, was slurring his speech, and had bloodshot and glassy eyes. The police ordered him out of the car. The police report indicates he was swaying when he stood. The police asked MG to perform field sobriety tests and he refused. The police arrested MG for operating under the influence of alcohol and he was brought to the police station where he was booked and he refused to take a breath test. For refusing the breath test MG lost his license for 180 days (mandatory loss of license for a breath test refusal if you have no prior DUI offenses). MG hired Attorney Robert Lewin.
Attorney Lewin met at length with MG to go over the facts and prepare the case. Attorney Lewin also made a demand of the Andover Police Department (through the DA’s Office) for a copy of any video recordings made in the police station book area of MG. The “official response” from the DA’s Office was that there was no video. On April 7, 2014 MG’s case went to a jury trial in Lawrence District Court. The arresting officer testified pretty much as set forth in his police report. The booking officer took the stand and this is where the state’s case began to crumble. The booking officer, in response to a series of questions asked by Attorney Lewin, described the video system in the Andover Police Station, and in particular in the booking area. He described how there is a video camera that points directly at an arrested subject. He also testified that to his knowledge there is a recording made. He testified that to his knowledge no effort had been made to locate the video of MG. Attorney Lewin asked to approach the Judge with the DA and Attorney Lewin moved for a mistrial on the grounds that he had asked for the video, was told there was no video, and now it appeared that there may very well be a video. The Judge denied the request for a mistrial and permitted the trial to continue. MG testified that he had got up on the morning of February 4 at 5:00 AM; that he drove from North Andover to Andover to the commuter rail station; that he parked his car on the street; that he took the train to work and worked until ~ 5:30 PM; that he then walked from his office in Boston to a sports pub in Boston where he met a good friend for dinner; that he had dinner with the friend and had two beers during dinner plus water and a diet coke; that at 8:15 PM they both then left; that he returned to work and worked until ~11:00PM; that he then walked from work to North Station; took the commuter train back to Andover and walked to his car. He testified that it was very cold and his windows were frozen over. He got in his car, started the car up, put the front defroster on and the rear defogger on, and then fell asleep. The next thing he remembered was being woken up by the police. He testified that he had fallen into a deep sleep and it took him a minute to wake up; he also testified that he was sober. His friend with whom he had dinner also testified.
The trial had started at about 10:00 AM and the case went to the jury at 2:55 PM; twenty minutes later at 3:15 PM the jury came in with a verdict of not guilty. Attorney Lewin then filed a Motion for Return of MG’s License which the court granted. MG was arrested on February 5, 2014 and found not guilty by a jury on April 7, 2014 and has his license back. As MG and Attorney Lewin left the Lawrence District Court MG gave Attorney Lewin a firm handshake and a big thank you.