If you have applied for a job in Massachusetts, don’t be surprised if you are told that your application will be subject to a criminal background check. In fact, job applicants are by far the most likely to be subjected to a criminal background check in this state....
The COVID-19 State of Emergency and Its Legal Implications for Citizens of Massachusetts
The COVID-19 virus is affecting every facet of society. Though the long-term legal implications are still unclear, this article explores some of the legal issues that residents of Massachusetts are currently grappling with due to the COVID-19 state of emergency and...
Reduce Bicycle Accidents: What Are MA State Bike Rules?
Reduce Bicycle Accidents: What Are Massachusetts State Bike Rules? More and more people are hitting the road on a bicycle for both health and to lower their carbon footprint. Massachusetts has been proactive about creating laws for cyclists which are aimed at reducing...
Massachusetts Introduces New Laws on Vaping Products For 2020
Massachusetts Introduces New Laws on Vaping Products For 2020 There has been some controversy recently about the safety of vaping products, also referred to as e-cigarettes. Many people have resorted to these devices as an alternative to tobacco based products, or as...
How Hands-Free Driving Enforcement Will Affect Massachusetts’ Residents
How Hands-Free Driving Enforcement Will Affect Massachusetts’ Residents On November 25th 2019 in Boston, Governor Charlie Baker signed improved legislation in relation to the use of electronic devices while driving. The intention is to improve road safety in...
The Principles of Police Interrogations in Massachusetts: Everything You Need to Know
If you have never been interrogated by the police, your only knowledge of police interrogations probably comes from TV shows and films about detectives. But are these police interrogation scenes depicted on TV bear any resemblance to reality? Moreover, those of you...
7 Reasons Why DUI Defendants Should Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
About one in three traffic deaths in the U.S. involve an intoxicated driver. In Massachusetts alone, nearly 1,400 people died in driving under the influence (DUI) - related crashes between 2003 and 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Massachusetts Laws on Adult Use of Marijuana
Nearly three years ago, on November 8, 2016, Massachusetts voters approved the historic ballot initiative that put an end to marijuana prohibition for adults 21 and older. On December 15, 2016, it became legal for adults to grow and possess cannabis in the Bay State....
Massachusetts Search Warrants and Curtilage
On behalf of Law Offices of Richard Mucci posted in Criminal Law on Friday, December 2, 2016. Often at issue in drug cases is the validity of searches and seizures of evidence. Even when the police obtain a search warrant, a defendant may challenge a search that is...
No Right to Counsel for Massachusetts Defendant While Deciding Whether to Take a Breathalyzer Test
On behalf of Law Offices of Richard Mucci posted in Criminal Law on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. Pursuant to the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Article 12 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, a criminal defendant has the right to...
Single Act or Separate Act: Duplicative Convictions on Lesser Included Offenses in Massachusetts
On behalf of Law Offices of Richard Mucci posted in Criminal Law on Thursday, October 15, 2015. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that no one shall "be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb." Most people...
Massachusetts Erroneous Conviction Statute and Insufficient Evidence Cases
On behalf of Law Offices of Richard Mucci posted in Criminal Law on Monday, April 20, 2015. Massachusetts law allows a person who has been the subject of an erroneous conviction to pursue a claim for compensation. To recover, a person must first show that he or she...
Why The Supreme Judicial Court Ruled That The Disturbing Practice Of Upskirting Is Legal
On behalf of Law Offices of Richard Mucci posted in Criminal Law on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. In a decision that will certainly make the public wonder what were they thinking, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that "upskirting" is not a violation of...
LANDLORDS BEWARE: NEW HOUSING RIGHTS FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES
On behalf of Law Offices of Richard Mucci posted in Criminal Law on Thursday, December 19, 2013. There are new housing rights for victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and stalking. Victims of these crimes now have increased rights to: 1) break a lease;...
Going to Jail Because the Mailman Delivered the Mail to the Wrong Address
On behalf of Law Offices of Richard Mucci posted in Criminal Law on Monday, June 10, 2013. Imagine going to jail for three months because the mailman delivered a package to the wrong address, and then having your lawsuit for negligence against the United States Postal...