Criminal Justice

Crimes of Moral Turpitude, J-1 and J-2 Visas, and Deportation.

In addition to snow, the Metro Boston area has a lot of other assets, such as the fact that we are home to many of America’s top educational institutions. Beyond the academy, we have robust aerospace, defense, robotics and biotechnology industries. Our unique education to employment pipeline fosters innovation and attracts talent worldwide.

Many of our foreign students, scholars and researchers are residing here under the State Department’s J-1 work-study visa program; in fact, there are over […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:38:15+00:00February 9, 2015|Criminal Justice, Immigration Law|0 Comments

SJC Rules that Smell of Unburnt Marijuana DOES NOT Justify Warrantless Searches of Cars.
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SJC Rules that Smell of Unburnt Marijuana DOES NOT Justify Warrantless Searches of Cars.

Criminal Justice, Marijuana Law

SJC Rules that Smell of Unburnt Marijuana DOES NOT Justify Warrantless Searches of Cars.

The Supreme Judicial Court just released an important decision regarding the police’s ability to conduct warrantless searches of automobiles based on the smell of marijuana.

Some background: In 2008, Massachusetts voters decriminalized the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. This meant that if you were caught with an oz. or less, you would be subject only to a $100 fine and would face no criminal charges. As a matter of Constitutional law, in order for police […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:38:15+00:00July 10, 2014|Criminal Justice, Marijuana Law|0 Comments

Sullivan Courthouse/Jail Empty at Last
Sullivan Courthouse/Jail Empty at Last

Criminal Justice

Sullivan Courthouse/Jail Empty at Last

Ever wonder why the Cambridge District Court is located in Medford?

Until 2008, the Cambridge District Court, Middlesex Superior Court, Middlesex District Attorney’s office and Middlesex county jail were all located in East Cambridge at the Edward Sullivan Courthouse. The building is well known locally for its distinctive red stripe on the 17th floor; the courts and DA’s offices were located below the stripe, and the jail was located “above the red.”

However, the building, dating from 1971, suffered from a whole […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:38:15+00:00July 1, 2014|Criminal Justice|0 Comments

Federal Clemency Initiative

In an effort to reduce the Federal prison population, the Department of Justice has begun a clemency initiative. This initiative offers non-violent offenders, who had been sentenced to long prison terms as part of the “war on drugs,” the opportunity to seek early release.

This initiative began late last year, when President Obama granted commutations to prisoners facing life imprisonment for offenses such as “conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.”

To be considered under the program, inmates must meet […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:38:15+00:00April 24, 2014|Criminal Justice|0 Comments

Veterans Treatment Court at the BMC

The Boston Municipal Court (BMC) has recently established a special veterans treatment court session. The purpose of this new offering is to “incorporate rehabilitative and treatment services for veterans by providing them with the tools and services to help them overcome substance abuse issues, alcoholism, mental health issues and emotional disabilities.” If you have spent time in Boston, you are probably aware that many of our area’s homeless are veterans; sadly, mental health issues often land these individuals in court. […]

By Matthew Barison|2020-11-01T17:38:15+00:00January 31, 2014|Criminal Justice|0 Comments