Violating Probation

In Massachusetts, if you are put on Probation, the Court will make you sign a contract outlining the terms and conditions of your Probationary Period. Examples may include counseling, anger management, Batterer’s Program, reporting to a Probation Officer, paying court fees, and remaining drug and alcohol free, with random screenings.

While you are on Probation you will have to abstain from picking up any new criminal charges. If you do pickup new criminal charges, your Probation Officer will almost assuredly serve you with a Violation Notice of your Probation. Once you are served with a Violation Notice, you will subsequently have an Initial Probation Hearing.

At the Initial Probation Hearing, your Probation Officer will decide whether or not to ask for the Judge to find Probable Cause that you committed a new criminal offense and whether to detain you or not. An experienced Criminal Defense Attorney can usually negotiate with the Probation Officer and maybe change his or her mind about asking for the initial detention period and thereby saving you up to 30 days of incarceration.

Even if the Probation Officer wants to detain you pending a Final Surrender Hearing, your Attorney can persuade the Judge hearing the case that detention is not appropriate and have you released until your Final Surrender Hearing.

Outstanding Warrants Can Greatly Inhibit Your Everyday Life

The long arm of the law isn't just an expression. It's a reality that people find themselves in the grip of, daily. Literally and figuratively.

Say you have an outstanding warrant for something as small as failing to appear in court for a small traffic violation. Now, you have a warrant out for your arrest. Is the SWAT team going to come bursting through your window like the Kool-Aid Man to bring you to justice? Unlikely, (unless you have a felony warrant.)

What is likely is that you are going out to dinner or picking a friend up from the airport when you are pulled over by a cop for a small violation. When they run you through the database for wants and warrants and your name comes up, you will be arrested and booked. Your friend will have to get a ride and your dinner will get cold. If it's Friday, you'll likely spend the weekend in jail until Monday morning. Suddenly things just got very serious. Your first order of business is to remain silent and call us. Attorney Paul Moraski has a deeply knowledgeable understanding of all aspects of criminal law. 

An outstanding warrant can inhibit your ability to do just about anything, not to mention the psychological burden it causes whenever you see a police officer.
Don't live on the lam. Free your mind of having to look over your shoulder or having to squirm whenever you hear a siren. Attorney Paul Moraski is standing by, ready to listen to your side, and fight for you.

Educate Yourself About The Marijuana Laws In Massachusetts

It is important to understand that the differences in how marijuana is carried can vastly affect your penalty ranging from a civil offense to a mandatory prison sentence.  

Under current Massachusetts Law, possessing under an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana is considered to be a civil offense and could result in a $100 fine.  However, the way marijuana is packaged could be the difference between paying a $100 fine to serving a prison sentence of at least two years.  Someone who possesses an ounce of marijuana could pay the $100 fine if it is packaged in one bag only--on the contrary, someone who possesses five so called “20 sacks” (which is roughly 5 grams of marijuana) could be charged with distribution. 

While possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is considered decriminalized, a defendant may be criminally charged with possession with the intent to distribute if the defendant gives the impression that a marijuana sale is being conducted.  Examples of this would be the fact that marijuana is divided into individual baggies, the presence of a drug scale, money, customer lists, multiple cell phones and numerous empty baggies.  All of these things are indicia of drug dealing as opposed to just mere possession. Being that possession with the intent to distribute marijuana is considered a felony; if the individual is arrested within 1,000 feet of a school zone or a 100 feet of a park, there is a minimum mandatory two year prison sentence. 

By better educating yourself about the marijuana laws in Massachusetts, you can enjoy piece of mind that you are abiding by the law. For additional information or to set up a consultation please Contact Attorney Paul R. Moraski at 978-744-1200, or Visit our websites at www.MassDefense.com,  www.MassDrugDefense.com and www.NorthofBostonLaw.com

The Law Office of Paul R. Moraski

221 Essex Street, Suite 51

Salem, Massachusetts 01970

Tel: 978.744.1200

Fax: 978.825.1370

attorneymoraski@yahoo.com

www.northofbostonlaw.com

www.massdefense.com

www.massdrugdefense.com