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Patrick J. Murphy, Esq.

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Patrick J. Murphy, Esq.

Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer - http://www.bostoncriminaldefenselawyers.com

02/02/2026

Snapchat Messages and 209A Restraining Order Charges in Massachusetts

A 209A restraining order charge tied to a Snapchat message usually comes down to identity. The Commonwealth has to show the message came from you, not just from an account that looks like yours or a screenshot that points in your direction. A recent Massachusetts Appeals Court decision, Commonwealth v. Bustard, gives a useful example of how courts scrutinize proof of who actually sent an electronic message....

A 209A restraining order charge tied to a Snapchat message usually comes down to identity. The Commonwealth has to show the message came from you, not just from an account that looks like yours ...

01/28/2026

Were You Arrested in Boston for Possessing Prescription Drugs Without a Prescription?

If Boston police arrest you with prescription pills that are not in your name, you may face serious criminal charges under Massachusetts law. Even though many people view prescription medications differently from street drugs, the law treats unauthorized possession just as seriously. Whether the drug is oxycodone, Adderall, Xanax, or another controlled substance, being caught without a valid prescription can lead to criminal penalties, including fines, probation, or even jail time....

If Boston police arrest you with prescription pills that are not in your name, you may face serious criminal charges under Massachusetts law. Even though many people view prescription medications ...

01/05/2026

Clerk Magistrate Hearings For Shoplifting And Minor Theft Charges In Massachusetts

Clerk magistrate hearings in the Massachusetts District Court and Boston Municipal Court give you a chance to stop a criminal case before it starts. When someone accuses you of shoplifting or minor theft, the court often schedules a “show cause” hearing instead of issuing a complaint right away. If you handle that hearing correctly, you may avoid a criminal record, a public arraignment, and the stress of a full court case....

Clerk magistrate hearings in the Massachusetts District Court and Boston Municipal Court give you a chance to stop a criminal case before it starts. When someone accuses you of shoplifting or ...

12/02/2025

SJC Rules on Independent-Source Doctrine in Affirming Murder Conviction

The Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Almeida settles three issues you care about if you or a loved one faces serious charges in Massachusetts. First, the Court upheld a search warrant under the independent-source doctrine, which means the police could still rely on the warrant even after a statement by the accused was suppressed. Second, the Court rejected several jury-selection challenges and explained how trial judges should evaluate strikes, hardship excusals, and questions about views on police credibility....

The Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Almeida settles three issues you care about if you or a loved one faces serious charges in Massachusetts. First, the Court upheld a search ...

11/03/2025

When Cambridge announced it was halting the use of automatic license-plate reader technology pending review of data-sharing practices, the decision reflected more than a policy debate. It exposed an emerging evidentiary fault line under Article 14 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. At the same time, Brookline’s consideration of privately owned plate readers with police access demonstrates how quickly surveillance systems can expand beyond traditional public control....

When Cambridge announced it was halting the use of automatic license-plate reader technology pending review of data-sharing practices, the decision reflected more than a policy debate. It exposed ...

10/15/2025

You may not realize that moving through Massachusetts as a nonresident can trigger state licensing rules even if you lawfully carry at home. In Commonwealth v. Donnell, decided March 11, 2025, the Supreme Judicial Court struck down the Commonwealth’s prior, pre-2022 nonresident licensing scheme under G. L. c. 140, § 131F because it vested unfettered “may-issue” discretion in the State Police colonel, which failed the Supreme Court’s Bruen text-and-history test under the Second Amendment....

You may not realize that moving through Massachusetts as a nonresident can trigger state licensing rules even if you lawfully carry at home. In Commonwealth v. Donnell, decided March 11, 2025, ...

10/14/2025

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently ruled that courts may impose GPS monitoring as a condition of release without violating the state constitution. If you are facing criminal charges in Massachusetts, and a judge orders you to wear a GPS device, you may be wondering whether that order is legal. In Commonwealth v. Goparian, the court clarified how far the Commonwealth may go when imposing electronic tracking during pretrial release....

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently ruled that courts may impose GPS monitoring as a condition of release without violating the state constitution. If you are facing criminal ...

09/03/2025

If you are facing charges tied to operating a vehicle with a revoked license due to a past OUI or motor vehicle homicide, your case may fall under Massachusetts laws that carry steep penalties. A recent opinion from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Commonwealth v. Foley, decided on July 15, 2025, explains how prior convictions influence new charges and sentencing enhancements....

If you are facing charges tied to operating a vehicle with a revoked license due to a past OUI or motor vehicle homicide, your case may fall under Massachusetts laws that carry steep penalties. A ...

08/19/2025

When Massachusetts courts require GPS monitoring as part of pretrial release, many people are unaware that the location data collected may later be used as evidence against them. In a recent ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court, the justices reviewed whether law enforcement could lawfully access and rely on GPS records collected during monitoring to investigate a new incident. This case is important because it shows how conditions imposed before any conviction can still affect your rights well into the future....

When Massachusetts courts require GPS monitoring as part of pretrial release, many people are unaware that the location data collected may later be used as evidence against them. In a recent ...

08/05/2025

In May 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court clarified the limits of the state’s s*x trafficking statute. The court rejected the Commonwealth’s attempt to charge men who responded to online ads with trafficking, holding that their conduct did not meet the definition of that offense under G. L. c. 265, Section 50. This ruling matters for anyone facing solicitation or prostitution-related charges in Massachusetts, particularly in cases stemming from undercover operations....

In May 2025, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court clarified the limits of the state’s s*x trafficking statute. The court rejected the Commonwealth’s attempt to charge men who responded to ...

07/25/2025

Multiple charges often follow when someone is accused of a serious offense involving a fatal crash, each carrying its own penalties. However, the law does not allow prosecutors to stack overlapping charges for the same act. A recent decision from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court clarifies how courts must avoid imposing multiple punishments when offenses stem from the same event....

Multiple charges often follow when someone is accused of a serious offense involving a fatal crash, each carrying its own penalties. However, the law does not allow prosecutors to stack ...

07/12/2025

If police officers from Massachusetts cross into another state and seize your property without a warrant or permission from that state, the evidence they take may not hold up in court. That exact issue came up in a recent decision from the Supreme Judicial Court. Officers from Lowell crossed into New Hampshire during a home invasion investigation. While there, they took a man's phone without a warrant, suspecting he was deleting evidence....

If police officers from Massachusetts cross into another state and seize your property without a warrant or permission from that state, the evidence they take may not hold up in court. That exact ...

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Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

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http://www.bostoncriminaldefenselawyer-blog.com/, http://bostoncriminaldefenselawyers.com/

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