Are Citizen’s Arrests a Real Thing? Citizen’s arrests were once comedic fodder for television programs like The Andy Griffith Show. However, the real-world consequences of an alleged “citizen’s arrest” are far from a laughing matter. In Georgia, at the time of this writing, three men are facing murder charges in the shooting death of another…
The issue of bullying has become a hot topic all over the U.S in recent years. Tragic events such as victim suicides and violent assaults have turned the spotlight on the debate of exactly when and how bullying becomes a criminal act. At the forefront of this debate is the increasing trend of cyber bullying…
Posted by Michael Franklin Additional Information: My daughter is charged with grand theft auto, first time offense in MA. She has no prior criminal record, and is bipolar and did not return a rental car. She is now living outside of her hometown of Worcester where a warrant was issued for grand theft auto by…
Posted by Michael Franklin Additional Information: I was charged and arrested for robbery in Shrewsbury, MA. Does the “victim” need to be present at trial? The state picked up charges but I’m wondering if the person alleging he was robbed has to come forward as a witness? If no, how can the state prove he was…
Posted by Michael Franklin Additional Information: I am 23 years old and was caught shoplifting at sears. I signed papers, under $50. Police called but I was not arrested, no paper given from officer. This is my first offense. Do i still appear in court, or just pay civil demand? What happens next? You will…
Posted by Michael Franklin Additional Information: My wife and I live in Greater Worcester area and I’ve recently been served a restraining order which does not permit me to have any contact with her. Is it a violation of the order to discuss matters with the protected party if others are present, like attorneys? Or…
Posted by Michael Franklin Additional Information: There were two incidents about 2 weeks apart. My boyfriend hit me so hard I got a black eye and fracture in my cheekbone. Besides filing the reports with the police, how do I protect myself and my daughter? We rent an apartment in Worcester and I’ve notified my…
Posted by Michael Franklin Additional Information: I was assaulted by a customer at my place of business and broke my jaw and nose. I have witness statements and video of the incident. By the time Spencer police arrived, the customer had already left the premises. Can I sue him for my medical bills and injuries?…
Posted by Michael Franklin Additional Information: Hello. My daughter has had a difficult school year. Her high school in Worcester has a bullying prevention and intervention plan but she continues to be bullied and cyber-bullied by other girls in her class. I’d like to address this so she can enjoy her summer. Is there some…
Additional Information: Our 19 year old daughter was caught shoplifting a few weeks ago at a local drug store in Auburn. I was hoping the whole thing would go away as it was a $10 item, but we got a summons to appear for a hearing. Any recommendations on how to handle this? She has…
Additional Information: My wife and I own our own home in Millbury and last Saturday at 10 AM I started power washing our house. My neighbor charged out of his house and started screaming profanities at me while on my property about how I always wake him up. The altercation didn’t get physical but at…
Additional Information: My son just told me he was involved in a minor automobile accident in Northborough a few days ago. He said the other driver was yelling at him and and threatening to beat him so he left. He didn’t exchange info and he didn’t file a police report. Then yesterday one of his…
Additional Information: Hello. I was arrested in Worcester for gun possession without a firearm identification card. Now it seems like the federal prosecutor also wants to bring charges for the same thing based on the same arrest. What’s going on and what should I do? ATTORNEY ANSWER: Your use of the word “seems” is confusing.…
Additional Information: I’ve was dating this guy for several months and he has been very respectful of me and kind to me. Then I found out he sometimes sells cocaine to friends and friends of friends in small amounts. He had asked me a couple of times to drive him to downtown Worcester to meet…
Additional Information: I was at an outdoor event in Worcester, and my bad luck, I’m holding a beer in a plastic cup and a cop walks by. He came over to ask me about it. Then he asked me what was in my pocket and then patted me down and found a knife that he…
Additional Information: I am 18 years old and was involved in a fight with a former friend who is 17. Now we’re both charged with assault but neither one of us wants to press charges. So, can we just tell the Auburn police that we don’t want to press charges so the case goes away?…
Additional Information: A couple of months ago I plead no contest to an assault charge and was placed on probation by the judge. Then last week I was involved in a fight at a bar in Shrewsbury, MA that wasn’t my fault at all and now I’m charged with another assault case. If I get…
Additional Information: My 22-year old daughter hit a parked car at a strip mall in Worcester, MA. She doesn’t know if she caused damage to the parked car she hit. She left the parking lot without leaving her contact information and now she’s wondering what she should do. Can you please explain the law in…
Additional Information: My nephew was involved in some sort of an altercation in Westboro, MA which he was allegedly trying to rob a man of his watch. The boy (he’s 19) has had drug problems and I assume this issue was in play. He used a bat to threaten the man and to take the…
Additional Information: I was arrested for hitting someone and also charged with resisting arrest by Shrewsbury PD. If I hire an attorney and he gets the battery charge dismissed will the resisting arrest charge automatically be dismissed, too? If the charge sticks, what’s the worst that can happen? Thank you. ATTORNEY ANSWER: No, because the…
Additional Information: Seven years ago, while I was living in NJ, I was convicted of possession of a controlled substance. I’m in grad school now in Worcester, Massachusetts and was arrested on similar charges. I did some research and found that the possession law in Massachusetts has stiffer penalties for those convicted of a second…
Additional Information: My son was arrested on a drug possession case in Worcester and is awaiting trial. He has a court appointed lawyer but the lawyer hasn’t talked too much to my son about it and hasn’t advised him on what he should do. I read somewhere that a person can ask the judge to…
Additional Information: Our son, a freshman at a Worcester college, was recently arrested while carrying a small amount of cocaine. My wife and I are wondering if we should spend our money (which we can afford) to hire an attorney to defend him in this charge. Is it going to make any difference or will…
ATTORNEY ANSWER: An individual who possesses less than an ounce of marijuana will be deemed to have committed a civil, not a criminal, offense. This individual will be assessed a fine. No criminal conviction will occur.
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