Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog

A Boston police officer collided in Mattaphan with a Boston fire truck yesterday afternoon

While Boston Fire Department Ladder 29 was on its way to a reported car accident, and had its lights and siren activated at about 3:40 p.m., it crashed into the police officer who was driving home from work. The officer was driving his silver sport utility vehicle. The accident happened at the intersection of Harvard and Morton streets.

After the impact, both men went their separate ways to separate hospitals, both reportedly suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Apparently, the accident was such that it caused the ladder truck to swing around and crash into a traffic light, knocking it over.

Unsurprisingly, neither identity has been revealed.

While there has been no immediate word on what caused the crash or who crashed into whom. A Boston investigation is being conducted by the police.

Continue reading "Boston Police Officer Runs Into Boston Fire Truck In Mattapan…Literally" »

How many times have I said it? “All it takes is one very bad day...or bad moment...or bad decision. Mattapan’s Edwin Depeize, a 63-year-old bus driver ( hereinafter, the “Defendant”) had one such moment yesterday morning.

According to reports, the Defendant, a school bus driver, was stopped by law enforcement so that he could be given a Dorchester traffic citation. Apparently, said citation incensed the Defendant. Perhaps he thought such a ticket was beneath him. This theory would make sense because he immediately did everything possible to up the ante.

Rather successfully, I might add.

First, the Defendant allegedly refused to hand over his license and registration. Next, he argued with the police officer who finally ended the “conversation” by telling the Defendant to drive along his merry way. The Defendant did not feel all that “merry”, and so he sped away instead.

Or tried to.

Continue reading "Mattapan School Bus Driver Turns Traffic Citation Into Motor Vehicle Crimes" »

It would appear that this Massachusetts driver thought ahead. Realizing that the coming storm would make it difficult to go out and drink, Ms. Tara Tobin (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) got in one last trip just before the snow. The result was not too pretty.

The Yarmouth police say that the Defendant admitted that she had drunk six or seven beers in Dennis before driving.

What happened? The crash took place Tuesday night around 9 p.m..

The unusual part? According to the police, the Defendant, whatever condition she was in, did not cause the accident.

Apparently, a 47-year-old emotionally disturbed man jumped into the path of a Dodge Dakota pickup truck. The truck's driver swerved to avoid the man and was then rear-ended by the Defendant’s car..

The man suffered serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries and was taken to Cape Cod Hospital, police said.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Drunk Driver Admits Guilt But Is Not Responsible For Vehicular Accident- Attorney Sam’s Take " »

Police in Springfield have Impressed criminal justice onlookers this past weekend. They went out a-hunting and made 50 arrests which should keep the local district court humming for a day or so. These arrests were for the most serious crimes, of course. They range from drug possession to prostitution all the way up to drag racing!

According to Boston.com, there were so many people arrested between Friday and Saturday mornings that the police ran out of jail cells.

No, this was in no way accidental. Law enforcement did not happen to “get lucky” during said period and happen upon a sudden crime wave. No, this was planned. As we have seen so many times, when confidence seems to wane in the local constabulary, something must be done to remind the rest of us that the thin blue line is alive, well and protecting us from evil.

And so it was that 20 extra police officers were put on the streets so that a new criminal sweep with a pretty name could be performed. This time, it was “Operation Blue Heat”. It was said to target gang members, drug dealers and…worst of all…the sex trade. Of course, this type of sweep generally includes ( or is primarily comprised of) alleged prostitutes. They seem to offer little resistance and give the resulting media exposure more “bang for its buck”.

No pun intended.

Continue reading "MA Lawyers Needed To Arraign Suspects Arrested For Drugs, Sex And Racing In Impressively Named Police Investigation" »

I have been breaking a new Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Law. Chances are, so have you.

Well, that’s sort of true. Actually, the law does not go into effect until next week. September 30th to be exact. You may have seen some of the message boards that have been posted about it.

They read, "TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS AGAINST THE LAW."

That’s right, no more texting while driving starting next week.

“Oh, Boy”, I can hear you say. “Sam’s about to go off about a new and ‘unnecessary’ law!”

Believe it or not, that is not the case.

Continue reading "Attorney Sam’s Take: Confession Of A Boston Defense Lawyer In The Face Of New Motor Vehicle Law" »

A Winchester gentleman is probably reconsidering last week's recent trip to Boston. This would be because his adventures therein have brought him not only forced monthly visits to Beantown, but also the need for a criminal defense attorney and a couple of blots on his criminal record concerning a certain robbery.

In other words, he was arraigned on Monday.

I am referring to Mr. Ernest G., 28 (hereinafter, the “Defendant”).

You see, the Defendant is now facing criminal charges for allegedly trying to steal a 73-year-old Marblehead woman’s bag in Boston’s South End. Of course, according to the Commonwealth, said theft did not go so well.

When the Defendant allegedly grabbed the bag near the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Yarmouth Street, he fled toward the Southwest Corridor. When he did so, The woman’s grandson and granddaughter ran after him, as did a police officer.

Continue reading "Attorney Sam Reviews A Recent Boston Unarmed Robbery After Arraignment" »

Now, given my sardonic view on things, it would not surprise you to check out this once-again daily blog one day to find me describing a scene wherein somebody was speeding down the road and, having run down an innocent pedestrian, got out of his car and started pulling on the semi-flattened gentleman, begging him to get up.

Perhaps, I might even compare the driver in such a situation to a child who, after having committed some damage, asks for a “Do-over”.

Of course, you would expect that, by the time the blog was over, you would have heard about the driver being arrested for a myriad of charges, not to mention some kind of vehicular homicide.

Well, guess what?

Such an occurrence actually happened last week...with one twist.

The driver was a police officer.

Continue reading "A Boston Criminal Attorney Wonders If A Police Cruiser Hitting And Killing In A Pedestrian With An SUV Is Vehicular Homicide" »

Hey, the weather this weekend is supposed to be really nice. Are you looking for a fun activity for a summer’s evening here in Boston? Well, might the Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog suggest an evening at the fights?

No, I am not referring to wrestling or boxing or even a movie like “The Boxer” or “Rocky XVI”. Given the popularity of reality television, it is more in that vein. Sort of like a cross between that and watching some domestic violence...without the domestic.

If you would like a sample, just tune in to YouTube, Boston.com, or any one of a variety of websites sporting a video of a recent performance in Boston’s own Chinatown.

In watching it, you will be joining with Boston’s Finest. Currently, Boston police are reviewing a video that is circulating on-line of a violent altercation in Chinatown. Interest aside, there is apparently no investigation being conducted into the melee.

The 2-minute, 33-second video shows a group of seven gentlemen who appear to be harassing drivers and assaulting cars as they pass on Tyler Street in Chinatown.

Well, everybody has to have a hobby...!

Continue reading "Attorney Sam’s Take: Excitement With Assault, Battery And Weapons On A Fine Boston Evening" »

Former Massachusetts Turnpike chairman Matthew Amorello (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) has fallen into ever-deepening holes of trouble on the criminal justice battlefield. First, he was arrested for drunk driving this past weekend. Well, not really just drunk driving. There are apparently other charges levied after he allegedly smashed into parked cars and tried to flee the scene despite the fact that one of his tires was off.

After a night of what the authorities call “sleeping it off” at the station, the Defendant was told he had to attend his arraignment in Haverhill court yesterday.

He didn’t.

And so it was that a Haverhill District Court Judge issued a default warrant for the man who once oversaw one of the largest public works projects in the state's history...the Big Dig.

Continue reading "Former Big Dig Bigwig Faces Allegations Of OUI, Leaving The Scene And A Default Warrant" »

Jaime Collazo and Christopher Colecchi have been arrested and arraigned in a Massachusetts criminal case involving a stolen car that had two sleeping children in it. The alleged car theft and kidnapping are said to have occurred early on the morning of July 12. The two Worcester men are accused of stealing a 2002 Toyota Sienna from outside a Gulf gas station while its driver was in the station.

Police were contacted and within minutes an officer found the car parked at the corner of Lafayette and Scott. The children were still in the vehicle and hadn’t been harmed.

Following a foot chase, Collazo was arrested and charged with Massachusetts kidnapping and trespassing. He is accused of forcing his way into the building where police found him.

Meantime, Colecchi, who is accused of then stealing another car, was pursued by cops on the I-290 first in cars and then on foot after he crashed the vehicle. Colecchi is charged with two counts of kidnapping, operating a vehicle as to endanger, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, leaving the scene of property damage, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, and possession of Class B substance. His criminal defense lawyer told the Telegram that the 36-year-old man is being overcharged. He says that whoever took the first car got out at once upon discovering that there were children inside the vehicle.

Van Stolen With Sleeping Children Inside, WCVB, July 13, 2010

Two suspects arrested for kidnapping, Telegram.com, July 12, 2010

Related Web Resource:
Crimes against the Person, General Laws of Massachusetts

Continue reading "Two Worcester Men Accused of Stealing Car Charged with Massachusetts Kidnapping" »

Yesterday, as you may have read through various print and other media outlets, I had occasion to drive to North Adams, Massachusetts on a new case. As I traveled the various hours, I was reminded again and again through the radio how I was actually taking my life in my hands. This has not been a great summer so far for driving safely. The only thing that seemed to make the odds in my favor for arriving in court and then at my office in Cambridge was the fact that I was not a member of any police force.

There have been a number of incidents where officers have been struck by civilian drivers over the past month. The latest example to grace the headlines was Mathew C., 24, (hereinafter, the “Defendant”). On Saturday morning, he allegedly rear-ended a state police cruiser in a highway breakdown lane. He is said to have had a blood-alcohol level over twice the legal limit. Police also claim that he admitted at the scene to having had “too much” to drink.

I guess that would seemgly slam the lid shut for a prosecution for, among other things, drunk driving.

This was the fifth such crash in recent weeks. This time, the police say, the driver didn't brake at all before slamming his car into the cruiser.

Continue reading "A Boston Criminal Lawyer Wonders How Latest Drunk Driving Accident Will Effect Law" »

A judge has ordered 29-year-old man facing numerous charges for his involvement in a 20-mile police pursuit on the Massachusetts Pike to Bridgewater State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Alejandro Serra has pleaded not guilty to over a dozen charges, including five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and operating with a suspended license.

Serra is accused of threatening and almost running down a man and his young grandson in Boston on Monday. The adult pedestrian had asked Serra to turn down the music that was blaring from his vehicle.

After Serra fled the scene, he was pursued by state police in a chase that continued onto the Massachusetts Pike until his vehicle crashed into three police cruisers in Framingham. Serra then tried to flee from the authorities on foot. At least 10 troopers were involved in efforts to apprehend him. Video footage shows one state trooper punching him.

A forensic psychologist for the court who evaluated Serra to see if he was competent to face charges says that the suspect is delusional, out of touch with reality, and may be a danger to society. At the end of his arraignment, Serra announced to the court that he was Pope Alexander.

Prosecutors say that he has had history of mental health problems and has been committed to psychiatric hospitals in the past. The state committed him to one in 2008.

Serra is being held on $5,000 cash bail for the altercation on Monday and another $5,000 for failing to obey a warrant that required that he show up at the Mental Health Division on June 23. Serra’s Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer says that his client clearly needs help.

Man charged after leading staties on wild Pike chase, Boston Herald, June 29, 2010

Driver In Mass Pike Chase: 'I Am Pope Alexander!', WBZTV, June 29, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Mass Law About Traffic Violations
MassDot Highway Division

Continue reading "Psychiatrist Says Driver Charged in Massachusetts Pike Car Chase is Delusional" »

Just to show you that the Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog is not only focusing on kids these days and their foibles, such as attempted murder, we discuss today a slightly older gentleman in need of counsel…lots of it.

The gentleman, Michael G., 31 (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) hails from Salem and was arrested in Swampscott for operating under the influence as well as one or five other charges. He was apparently not charged for other, somewhat unusual items of interest in his car.

The Defendant was brought to the Lynn District Court where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, drinking alcohol from an open container in a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation and following too closely.

Swampscott police had been alerted to the Defendant, who is a student at Wentworth in Boston, as he sped by on New Ocean Street around 3:30 a.m. April 30.

As the police followed him, the Defendant is said to have been weaving all over the road and tailgating another vehicle, before he was pulled over on Paradise Road.

Continue reading "The Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog Reveals A North Of Boston Drunk Driving Matter With A Twist" »

Tempers sure are flaring now that it is known that no serious injuries resulted from the collision between a Green Line MBTA train smashed into a jeep! Transit officials are crying “Foul!” against the athletes who had been in the jeep. Crimina-Defense-Attorne- Needing-type-Foul.

The crash took place this past Sunday around midnight as a Green Line trolley driver, traveling about 30 miles per hour, was heading westbound en route to stop at Greycliff Road and Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton. Yards from the Greycliff Road crossing, the driver says he noticed a black Jeep Cherokee at the intersection at Commonwealth Avenue.

According to an MBTA transit police report, the driver sounded the horn five times and then engaged the emergency stop. The jeep's driver cut in front of the train as if attempting to make a U-turn onto Commonwealth.

WHAM!

The trolley struck the side of the Jeep, pushing it back onto Commonwealth Avenue. When the jeep stopped, according to the report, some of the its occupants got out, grabbed items that appeared to be alcoholic beverages, and then fled down Greycliff Road.

Continue reading "T-Crash May Result In Alcohol Related Charges For Boston College Students" »

One moment. One very bad moment following a very bad decision. Boston criminal defense attorneys see it every day.

That's all it takes to ruin, or even end, innocent lives....as well as guilty ones.

It is a lesson that we witness played out on the Commonwealth streets this past Monday. Now, here are two similar stories to show it is a lesson that is still being learned quite late.

Let’s take the case of Jonathan C. , 19, of Saugus (hereinafter, "Defendant1") for example.

Defendant 1 spent a very painful day in Lynn District Court this past week. He is now spending time in Commonwealth housing.

Defendant 1 pleaded guilty in a vehicular homicide matter which had caused the death of one woman and severely injured another. In open court, he apologized to the family on the other side of the tragedy, explaining, “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of it.’’

Continue reading "A Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer's take on Vehicular Homicide And Very Bad Moments" »

Well, this week has not been particularly good on the streets of Massachusetts. At least three deaths in two days alone! Lots of fodder for lawyers.

“Well, of course not, Sam”, you tell me. It was raining to almost biblical proportions!”

Yes, well that ended on Monday. It’s been kind of sunny the rest of the week, which is when the deaths occurred.

For example, Bruce F., 46 of Salisbury (hereinafter, “Fatality #1”) was fatally injured when he was hit by a car after stepping into the right lane on Route 95 South in Newbury at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

Continue reading "Attorney Sam's Take: Three Deaths On Massachusetts Streets In 48 Hours" »

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" »

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, it has been awhile since the Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog covered one of these.

It just goes to show that with all the mkhigh profile cases like those of a certain never-to-be-tenured professor's alleged homicides, the Kerrigan family woes and assorted homicides we have been discussing lately, poor judgment is also demonstrated in the actual streets of the Commonwealth ...just like always.

Today’s tale hails from Framingham.

It was Saturday night when Herman H., 23 of Framingham (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) was found hiding under a car in a garage and arrested.

You see, according to law enforcement, the Defendant had been witnessed going the wrong way on a local one-way-street. So, the police, doing what they do, followed him until he finally stopped.

Next, the police approached the Defendant’s vehicle. Again, it is what they do.

But, the Defendant then allegedly did what one is absolutely not supposed to do. He drove off.

He finally stopped. Good move.

-

Continue reading "Massachusetts Vehicular Crimes Increase Penalties During Police Car Chases – Take It From A Boston Defense Attorney" »

For the last two days, the daily Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog looked at two recent matters wherein Massachusetts defendants were stopped by law enforcement in their vehicles, wherein drugs were found. During the investigations, sometimes more drugs were found at various locations…sometimes it was a href="http://criminal.altmanllp.com/lawyer-attorney-1452603.html">weapons.

Rest assured that while the police and courts treat drug possession and gun possession very seriously…the combination is extremely eye-opening to them. It is the stuff that headlines are made of.

In any event, one last issue remains unexamined. In the Marblehead matter, additional material was found in the defendant’s home.

The question arises whether we are less protected in our homes or our automobiles from police invasion into our privacy in terms of search and siezure.

This is what today’s posting, ending this three-part-series will address.

Continue reading "The Search And Seizure Of Two Massachusetts Drug Suspects (Part Three)" »