Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
This week’s winner of the “Person Least Likely To Change His Name To ‘Defendant’ ” has been awarded to an associate member of the Hanover planning board. According to the police, his own, outside, planning board planned to violated certain laws. Drug laws. Serious drug laws.
Christopher G., 29, of Hanover, Massachusetts (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) was among five people arrested in what police are calling a major marijuana distribution ring. Police said an informal drug task force of South Shore police departments seized more than $80,000 worth of marijuana in the arrests.
Police said the Defendant is believed to be a major distributor of marijuana on the South Shore. Marshfield Police said they searched him and his Toyota 4-Runner in Pembroke on Sunday morning and seized about three pounds of marijuana. Then they searched his home. They found about 22 pounds of marijuana, and $3,000 cash, they said. Police also searched the other alleged co-conspirators and recovered about three pounds of marijuana and $11,000 cash.
Pembroke police charged the Defendant with distribution of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
The Marshfield Police Department said police sought court-authorized search warrants for the vehicles and homes involved in this case during the investigation.
This investigation has been brought to you by an informal task force known as The Old Colony Drug Task Force. Hanover, Pembroke, Scituate, Rockland, Whitman and Duxbury police departments and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation.
Samuel’s take:
The Defendant starring in today’s daily blog is clearly not someone who ever thought he was being investigated or that he would be arrested. Too much to lose, right?
Well, it turns out he was being investigated…and guess how that investigation turned out.
Ok, I know that not that many of you out there are sitting at home with over $80,000 worth of drugs and money at home, huddled in a corner, saying, “They’ll never catch me”. The point, however, is the same.
People who considered themselves arrest-proof get charged with crimes every day. In my experience, not all of them were actually doing anything wrong. I can’t tell you how many times over the past 23 years I have had people tell me how they had absolutely nothing to worry about because, in their opinion, they had done absolutely nothing wrong and then I visit them next behind absolute bars.
Things happen. Misinterpretations happen. Angering the wrong person who has decided to “get you” happens.
And, yes, mistakes happen. Sometimes you might break the law without even knowing it. Or the temptation is too good, so “just this once…”
The point is the same, but it is so important that it deserves repeating. If you believe you are being investigated for anything that feels like it could involve suspicion of wrongdoing, consult an experienced defense attorney right away. Having the guidance of counsel can sometimes make the difference between avoiding or enduring criminal charges. It can at least give you a realistic view of what is going on.
As a Boston criminal lawyer, The following explanations, usually make me want to chew broken glass:
“I did some research online, so I know about the law…”
“I asked the police officer if I needed an attorney, he did not think so, so I went with that.”
“I spoke to Joe Jones, a pal of mine, and he told me what to do. Joe’s a smart guy. I’m lucky he’s got the cell next to mine.”
Folks, there is a reason people suffer through law school; we actually learn something there. Likewise, years in the trenches give one more of a perspective about criminal justice reality than you are likely to find in a few articles. To use an old old cliché, go to the horse’s mouth.
I’ll not use the part of the horse you will feel like should you find out you’ve been had by investigators (who, by law, are allowed to lie to you), internet sites that lack real perspective of your situation or even Mr. Jones down in Cellblock 8, B-Wing.
Yes, the right lawyer can be expensive. Just weigh the cost against the value of your freedom.
Samuel Goldberg is the senior criminal defense attorney at the firm of Altman & Altman, P.C. A former prosecutor in New York, he has worked as a defense attorney in Boston over 18 years. He frequently provides legal analysis on radio and television, appearing on outlets such as the Fox News Channel, Court TV, MSNBC and The BBC Network
The full article of this story can be found at httphttp://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x1776793195/Hanover-official-charged-in-major-marijuana-bust
