Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog

A 33-year-old middle school teacher who says she had sex with a student has turned herself in to authorities. Amy Beck is charged with one count of oral copulation with a person under 16 and four counts of unlawful sex with a person under 16.

Beck, a David Starr Jordan Middle School teacher, says she and 14-year-old student were sexually involved with each other from March to September 2009. He was 15 when their alleged relationship concluded. The boy has confirmed that the sexual relationship happened.

The school teacher says that she decided to come forward because she had been feeling remorseful about what transpired. Beck is married and has children.

Her arraignment has been postponed until March 25. If convicted, Beck faces a maximum seven years in state prison.

Massachusetts Sexual Crimes Defense
There are some sexual relationships that are not as clear cut as the law would like them to be. This is why it is so important that you have an experienced Boston sexual crimes lawyer who knows how to provide you with the best defense. Even if you are not guilty of the crime that you are accused of committing, your reputation, career, and personal life may be damaged by the mere allegation of a sexual offense.

Your Massachusetts criminal defense law firm can conduct a thorough investigation of the case against you and help secure the best outcome possible for your case. A conviction for a Boston sexual crime can lead to years in prison, monetary fines, required rehabilitation, registration as a sex offender in Massachusetts, and the loss of a number of legal rights.

Guilt-Ridden Teacher Confesses to Sex With Middle School Student, ABC News, Mach 10, 2010

Calif. Teacher Turns Herself in After Alleged 6-Month Relationship With Student, Fox News, March 12, 2010

Related Web Resource:
The General Laws of Massachusetts

Yesterday, I had to go to a local Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Now, I am a lawyer. I have some idea of how some of these things should work. I am also somewhat knowledgeable about the system, bureaucracy and red tape, including how simple things can be made very unsimple. The result? I walked out about 2 hours later (the ticket I was handed said I would be seen in 8 minutes) and with my goal still not reached. Not only that, but this inconvenience resulted in the first time I saw the clerk perform what I took to beng the closest she ever came to a smile.

What can one do? Well, today I can take the small step of delivering a blog about the RMV!

Well, sort of.

I direct your attention to Framingham, where sits a Middlesex grand jury which has returned indictments recently against Mr. Ahmed S., 30, (hereinafter, the “Defendant”). He had been arrested a month earlier due to an investigation which apparently revealed that he was falsifying drivers' licenses, the AG's office said.

Continue reading "Boston Attorney General Indicts RMV Clerk For White Collar Crimes" »

Lest you think that Amy Bishop is the only person being haunted by Ghosts of Boston-Area Criminal Allegations Past, let me discuss with you the case of Bob O. (hereinafter, the “Target”). Suddenly, the Target needs a lawyer. A good one. An experienced one.

It was the summer of 1976. Sam A. (hereinafter, “Witness”) recalls he was strolling down the Boston streets when he ran into his friend, the Target. The Target was with a 14-year-old lad that we will call “Youth”.

“Gee”, thought Witness. “It sure is odd to find [Target] with a 14-year-old…” and then the thought of said oddity dissolved inside Witness’ head.

Thirty years went by. Witness and the Target became closer and closer, sharing a passion for sports. Over the years, the Target built up quite a reputation as a standout coach for the powerhouse basketball team at Christ the King Regional High School in Queens, New York.

Well, it looks like the friendship has seen better days. You see, Witness is now cooperating with Boston prosecutors presenting evidence to a Suffolk grand jury that the Target repeatedly molested Youth all those years ago, while staying at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.

Continue reading "Grand Jury Investigation Into Past Boston Sexual Assault Underscores Need For Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney…Quick!" »

A second woman is now accusing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault. The alleged incident is said to have occurred at a Georgia nightclub early Friday morning close to where the NFL player owns a home.

The football player and the alleged victim had been socializing with the same groups of people that evening. The woman, age 20, was treated at a hospital and then later released. She filed her complaint later that night.

No criminal charges have been filed against Roethlisberger, and investigators are looking into the allegations. Deputy Police Chief Richard Malone noted that the football player is not an official suspect in the case at this time, and witnesses are being interviewed. Roethlisberger’s agent has expressed skepticism that these latest allegation against the football player are true.

The Steelers quarterback is the defendant of a personal injury lawsuit accusing him of sexually assaulting another woman. The accuser, Harrah’s hotel employee Andrea McNulty, never filed a police report over the alleged incident and no criminal investigation ever took place. McNulty claims that the NFL player raped her after summoning her to his room to repair a TV.

Boston Sexual Assault Crimes
Sexual crimes are serious offenses that can lead to harsh punishments for those that are convicted of:

• Rape
• Statutory rape
• Sexual assault
• Child Pornography
• Prostitution
• Indecent Assault & Battery
• Cyber Sex Crimes
• Sex crimes involving children (ages 14 and under)
• Pornography
• Lewd Conduct

NFL star Roethlisberger accused of sexual assault, CNN, March 5, 2010

Andrea McNulty Accuses Ben Roethlisberger Of Sexual Assault, Huffington Post, July 21, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Ben Roethlisberger, NFL.com

Continue reading "NFL Football Player Ben Roethlisberger Accused of Sexual Assault " »

More bad choices in the Boston area. Another defendant who needed a lawyer.

And now…another statistic. one more white collar conviction.

Richard W., 42 (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) apparently worked as a practice assistant in the ear, nose and throat department of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. From January 2006 through April 2009, he is said to have stolen more than $1 million by stealing checks written to the department and by seeking fraudulent refunds for hearing aids and other items.

This is called the white collar crime of embezzlement.

On the 3rd, the Defendant pleaded guilty before the Honorable United States District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro to one count of health care theft and embezzlement, the US attorney's office said in a statement.

Continue reading "Attorney Sam’s Take: Boston Federal Prosecution For Embezzlement Exemplifies Need For Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys" »

Did you know that the Boston Criminal Law Blog is the number one read criminal law blog in Massachusetts? Thanks for that, by the way. Well, it looks like we need to tell our neighbors in Rhode Island about it too. After all, I began this week warning you about keeping your cool during…heated…situations.

I meant outside as well as inside.

Nevertheless, one day after I posted the blog, a Rhode Island woman allegedly threw her coffee onto a meter maid who was ticketing her car in Brookline.

Krystle C., 23, of Rhode Island (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) has been arraigned in Brookline District Court on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a public employee. She was released on personal recognizance (no bail) and a further hearing was scheduled for April 5th.

Yes, the dangerous weapon was the coffee.

Continue reading "Boston-Area Parking Violation Results In Felony Assault With Weapon Charge" »

Well, the Boston Criminal Law Blog is likely to a be a bit shorter this week as we prepare for major battle in the criminal justice trenches later this week.

There is always time, though, to remind you that, even in the times of hottest temper, it pays to keep your cool. Here is an interesting little tidbit that caught my eye this past weekend.

Andre N., 21 of Westfield (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) is unlikely to be on time for work today. He had some trouble early Saturday morning. According to the authorities, the problem occurred at the ironically named “Fifth Alarm” strip club in Springfield. It would appear that he got alittle carried away, perhaps with the ambiance of his night out.

According to the police, the officers were working a detail at the club when a bouncer attempted to remove an unruly customer.

Yes, that would be our Defendant.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Strip Club Said To Be Scene Of Disorderly Conduct And Assault & Battery On Police Officers" »

Amy Bishop’s parents say that they will cooperate in the judicial inquest into the 1986 Braintree, Massachusetts fatal shooting of their son. However, they are adamant that Bishop shot him accidentally.

Bishop, a 45-year-old University of Alabama Biology professor, is now charged with the fatal shooting deaths of three university staff members on February 12. Following this month’s incident, Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating initiated the inquest.

In 1986, Bishop, then 21, fatally shot her brother Seth, 18, with a 12-guage shotgun. Afterwards, she was accused of pointing a shotgun at two people at a car dealership where she demanded a car. Bishop was not charged with any crimes even though Keating says that Bishop could have been charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

US Representative William Delahunt, who was Norfolk district attorney at the time, says that the case was handled appropriately based on the information that was available. Now, investigators claim they have evidence that suggests Bishop may have shot her brother on purpose.

Bishop’s parents had initially refused to talk to Keating’s investigators. Her mom Judy was the only witness to the 1986 shooting. Dad Samuel was a material witness.

Bishop’s Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer says he is planning an insanity defense. He says that his client has serious mental problems and doesn’t even remember the fatal Alabama campus shooting.

Lawyer plans an insanity defense for teary Amy Bishop, Boston Herald, February 21, 2010

Delahunt defends actions in 1986 Bishop killing, Boston.com, February 22, 2010

Attorney: Bishop's parents to cooperate, have 'nothing to hide', Philly.com, February 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Amy Bishop Case Timeline, Boston.com

Norfolk District Attorney's Office

Here is another arena in the Boston area where the hysterical cry of the Lawenorder Bird calls, “Softoncrime! Softoncrime!” The bird, considered a symbol of justice to some is seen as a predatory bird by others. Criminal defense attorneys for example.

The arena is one in which only one-half of its nesting area is visible to the general population. The nesting area is known as “The Administration”. The arenas are educational institutions littered throughout the Commonwealth. Academic in nature, they often do not consider certain real-life considerations. This makes them especially susceptible to public opinion.

And public opinion is almost always in favor of an easy answer to crush the problem of crime.

“Ok. Now what on Earth is he writing about today?”, you ask. “Predatory birds? Nests susceptible to public opinion? Has Sam Goldberg finally lost his grip?”

Continue reading "Attorney Sam’s Take: Massachusetts Campus Crime Report Seems To Contend That Sexual Assault Is Now “Acceptable” In College" »

Today, the Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog points out that there really can be “heroes” as well as “villains” in today’s modern, if not skeptical, age.

It seems to also be a story of a suspect's alleged consistency.

It was this past Monday. It began when a 34-year-old woman parked her Acura SUV at the Dock Square garage in the North End. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a burly man appeared at her door, speaking calmly and matter-of-factly.

“I need your car, I need your keys,’’ he said.

When she saw the gun in her hand, she knew it was not simply an unlucky gentleman who simply needed an emergency ride to, say, deliver a baby.

He simply wanted to deliver the car...to himself

Continue reading "Assault, License Loss And OUI Charges Apparently Not Enough For Alleged Armed Carjacker" »

Message from a Boston criminal defense attorney to Ms. Kimberly J., 38 (hereinafter, the :Defendant”) – it is not as bad as you think.

It is actually worse.

The Defendant had been wanted by Massachusetts law enforcement in the alleged kidnapping Thursday of her half-sister’s one-year-old daughter. She has been apprehended in Altona, Pennsilvania and immediately arrested by investigating officers. The Defendant had been staying at a women’s shelter where she is said to have been using an alias and a stolen I.D.

Lest you think she is inconsistent, though, she was also allegedly driving a stolen vehicle .

The one that was apparently used in the abduction.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Kidnapper Faces Charges In Federal And Two State Courts" »

Jayson Williams, the former New Jersey Nets player, has been sentenced to a five-year prison term for charges related to his covering up of the fatal shooting of Costas “Gus” Christofi, a limo driver that he had hired. Williams accidentally shot the 55-year-old driver on February 14, 2002.

The fatal incident happened at the former NBA star’s home in Pennsylvania. According to prosecutors, Williams was reckless in the handling of a 12-gauge shotgun that then went off. He and two others were accused of trying to cover up what happened so it would look as if the limo driver shot himself.

In 2004, a jury convicted Williams of four charges of trying to conceal the fatal incident. They acquitted him on the criminal charges of evidence tampering, hindering apprehension or prosecution, witness tampering, and fabricating evidence. However, they could not agree on whether to convict him for reckless manslaughter.

During the criminal trial, the former NBA star admitted that he did not see whether the gun, which was part of his collection, was loaded, whether the safety catch was activated, or what direction the weapon was pointing toward. A mistrial was declared and rather than go through another trial over the reckless manslaughter charge, Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. He has to serve 18-months in prison, concurrent with the 5-year sentence.

In 2003, Williams settled the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Christofi’s family for $2.75 million.

Former NBA star Jayson Williams gets five-year sentence in shooting, CNN, February 23, 2010

Williams Gets 5-Year Prison Sentence, Reuters, February 23, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Violent Crimes, Justia

Jayson Williams, New York Times

Continue reading "Former NBA Player Jayson Williams Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Limo Driver’s Shooting Death" »