I’m not sure which is a sadder commentary on the current state of affairs: that the Boston Police Department had to issue a public warning to the local citizenry to behave in the event of a New England Patriots Super Bowl win on Sunday (or even, God forbid, a loss), or that the City of Boston has already declared the public area around North Station and Kenmore Square to be off limits to post-game congregants. I mean, what are we here, Vancouver?
Still, while I’ll be as ecstatic as anybody if Tom Brady has an MVP performance on Sunday, or multiple Rob Gronkowski end-zone spikes (should he be able to perform at his normal level), or Aaron Hernandez big yardage gains after receptions, or Vince Willfork run-stuffs and a sack, or a Devon McCourty interception or two, each or all carries the Pats to victory, it is important to understand the BPD does mean business here and will be out in force after The Game in suspected problem areas, loaded for bear.
DNA Evidence Doesn’t Mean the End: How the Talents of a Skilled Defense Attorney Can Help
It is critical for any defendant encumbered by positive DNA results to immediately turn to lawyers and experts who not only understand the fallibility of scientific test results, but also know how to challenge them. The fact is DNA evidence is neither perfect nor unassailable, and it is not always accurate. Samples are sometimes contaminated, mislabeled, or mishandled. Authoritative studies have also shown that DNA evidence can not only be transferred from one place, object , or person to another, but actually planted at the crime scene itself. Indeed, defense experts have repeatedly shown that crime scenes can be “engineered” and that DNA evidence may be “a lot easier to plant than fingerprints.” In addition to this, the methodology and qualifications of the state’s experts can also be exploited with still other studies demonstrating “… an alarmingly wide variability in capacity, oversight, staffing, certification and accreditation”.
Recent Supreme Judicial Court Decision Allows Judges to Impose Lesser Sentences in Plea Bargains
The reaction of District Attorneys to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s (SJC) decision to allow judges to impose sentences below the specific terms agreed to by the parties in an agreed plea deal was typically overblown, but not unexpected. According to one DA, the SJC’s decisions will “dramatically change the criminal justice landscape” by allowing judges to ignore a jointly agreed upon sentence recommendation and instead grant a lesser sentence if he or she believes the presented sentence would not serve the interests of justice.
There has been recent debate, as well as published articles and opinions, about Massachusetts being among the harshest states in America in terms of dealing with teens found guilty of murder. This has prompted proposed legislation in the Massachusetts State Senate which would permit juveniles convicted of 1st degree murder and sentenced to life be eligible for parole after 15 years—-in other words, to face the same sentences we currently impose on any adult convicted of 2nd degree murder.
There is little doubt that the Clerk Magistrate Hearing last week which resulted in the declination of charges against former Boston Bruins player, coach, and current NHL television analyst Mike Milbury restored some much-needed sanity and common-sense logic to the occasionally way-out-of-proportion parameters of youth sports.
Is Barry Bonds Really “Safe at Home?”
An examination of Barry’s Bonds’ recent sentence for obstruction of justice.
Yesterday a reporter asked me about the decision by Jerry Sandusky’s attorney to waive his right to a preliminary hearing in which he would have had an early opportunity to face his accusers (perhaps as many as 11) in court. Frankly, I found the attorney’s decision to be another “head-scratcher” in what is becoming a pattern of unconventional decisions by the defense in this case.
Dont tug on Supermans Cape
As someone who makes a very good living routinely taking on the government in defense of citizens accused of crimes and wrong-doing, I’m the last to believe the government should not be held accountable for its acts, omissions, indiscretions and abuse[s] of power.
Is the Clock Really Ticking on Child Sexual Assault?
With all of the sexual assaults on children that are in the news (especially Jerry Sandusky and former Syracuse Coach Bernie Fine), many observers are calling for an outright abolition of a Statute of Limitations (SOL) for sex crimes including child rape.
In two courtrooms on separate coasts, judges are being asked to consider stepping in on decisions that are often left for the Legislature (via statute) or corrections officials to decide
