Self-defense is one of the most significant legal defenses available in assault cases, and it is important to understand what Massachusetts law actually requires. Massachusetts Is a Duty-to-Retreat State Massachusetts is not a “stand your ground” state. It is a duty-to-retreat state. This means that a person claiming self-defense must demonstrate that they could not

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon This is a felony charge that arises when the assault is committed using an object capable of causing serious bodily harm. The category of “dangerous weapon” under Massachusetts law is broader than most people expect. Obviously, firearms and knives qualify. But courts have held that any object —

Assault charges in Massachusetts cover a broader range of conduct than most people realize, and the specific charge you or a loved one is facing can make an enormous difference in the potential consequences and the defense strategy. Understanding what these charges actually mean — legally, not just colloquially — is the starting point for

The search and seizure law governing drug cases is one of the areas where suppression motions are most often filed — and most often successful. Police must generally have either a valid search warrant or a recognized exception to the warrant requirement in order to search a person, a vehicle, or a home and seize

One of the most important developments in Massachusetts drug prosecution in recent years involves the requirement that chemical testing of alleged controlled substances be performed by certified laboratory analysts, and that those analysts be made available for cross-examination at trial. This requirement became critically important in the context of two massive scandals that shook the