James Milligan

Beyond marijuana, Massachusetts drug law organizes controlled substances into classes based on their potential for abuse and legitimate medical use: Understanding the Charges: From Possession to Trafficking Simple Possession Possession of controlled substances is generally charged as a misdemeanor for first-time offenders involving smaller quantities — though even simple possession of Class A or Class […]

The stakes in domestic violence cases are high — considerably higher than many defendants initially realize. A conviction creates consequences that extend far beyond the criminal sentence imposed by the court. Employment: A conviction creates a visible record in background checks that can affect employment and housing. Firearms — The Lautenberg Amendment: A domestic violence

We want to address something we hear frequently from defendants in domestic cases: the situation was more complicated than the police report makes it look. In a significant number of domestic violence cases, the events were mutual. Both parties were in some degree agitated. Both were saying or doing things that escalated the situation. Only

The existence of a 209A protective order — also known as a restraining order — is a central feature of many domestic cases, and it deserves careful explanation. Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders A 209A order can be issued on an emergency basis — meaning before the defendant has had any opportunity to be heard —

Domestic violence cases carry a weight that is different from other criminal charges. They arise from the most intimate spaces of people’s lives — their homes, their relationships, their families — and they are surrounded by powerful emotions on all sides. They are also among the most legally complex and consequential categories of charges that