Molari Law Insights
Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog
-
Brian Walshe Murder Trial in Massachusetts Ends With Guilty Verdict
On December 15th of 2025, multiple sources reported that the jury in Brian Walshe’s Massachusetts murder trial had returned a guilty verdict. The trial had taken many twists and turns before this point, and the defense successfully raised many interesting…
-
What if I Accidentally Shot Someone While Defending Myself in Massachusetts?
Few deaths are more tragic than those that involve innocent bystanders shot by crossfire. These victims die despite having nothing to do with the altercations that claimed their lives, and it is difficult to see their shooters in a positive light. The real…
-
What Is “Joint Venture Liability” for Massachusetts Firearms Offenses?
In October of 2025, the Supreme Judicial Court issued an important decision on the subject of “joint venture liability” for firearms possession in Massachusetts. Although the underlying laws regarding this decision are nothing new, they may be surprising to…
-
Juveniles Fail to Convince Commonwealth of Excessive Force Allegations
In July of 2025, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts heard a case involving three juveniles who were charged with resisting arrest in Boston . These minors had been arrested by police officers following early dismissal from Brockton High School.…
-
Committee for Public Counsel Services Releases Helpful Chart for Murder Sentences in Massachusetts
Murder sentences for younger people in Massachusetts can be difficult to understand, as the sentence depends on a range of complex factors. Even the average criminal defense attorney in Boston might struggle to understand this sentencing system, which shows…
-
Defendant Acquitted of Drug Charges in Massachusetts Because of Hearsay Issue
As most people know, hearsay is not permitted as evidence in criminal trials. Despite this age-old legal rule, hearsay has a strange habit of making its way into criminal trials. Such was the case in a recent case involving a lawyer who was accused of…
-
Drug Possession Case Highlights How the Fourth Amendment Works in Massachusetts
The Fourth Amendment is an important aspect of the United States Constitution, and it prevents police officers from illegally searching or seizing the property of Massachusetts residents. However, this important safeguard doesn’t necessarily protect you from…
-
Assault and Battery Case in Massachusetts Illustrates How Castle Doctrine Works
“Castle doctrine” has become something of a buzz phrase in recent years, and it is mired in the controversy of gun rights and self-defense. A Massachusetts resident defending themselves against an attacker does not have time to consider the potential…
-
Special Projects Unit Issues Practice Advisory in Massachusetts
The recent decision in Commonwealth v. Donnell has forced the Special Project Unit to issue a “practice advisory” in Massachusetts. This advisory highlights the wide-ranging implications of the 2025 case, which dealt with out-of-state residents facing…
-
Massachusetts Case Shows That Dangerousness Hearing Testimony is Not Always Inadmissible
A dangerousness hearing occurs when the Commonwealth attempts to keep a defendant in jail without bail. During this hearing, the defendant has a chance to argue that they do not represent a danger to the community, and that they deserve to be released before…
-
Is Interfering With ICE Illegal in Boston?
Many Boston residents do not agree with new immigration policies, including more aggressive ICE activity. Those who witness people taken off the streets by ICE may feel obliged to stand up and push back. But is it illegal to interfere with ICE in Boston? A…
-
Authorities Crack Down on “Highly Organized” Fentanyl Trafficking Ring
Authorities across the country are cracking down on fentanyl due to widespread community concerns. In a recent drug bust, 20 people were charged with participating in what officials called a “highly organized” trafficking ring. Some of these individuals have…
-
New Trial Ordered After Rideshare Driver’s Miranda Rights Violated in Cambridge
In 2022, a Lyft driver was convicted of rape in Massachusetts . However, he was acquitted of indecent assault and battery, and he subsequently appealed the conviction. In April of 2025, the Commonwealth concluded that his Miranda Rights had been violated…
-
BRIC Information-Sharing Plan Leads to “Surveillance State” Accusations
The Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC) is a highly controversial law enforcement tool, and this surveillance apparatus has gained even more infamy after recent plans to share data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The encroachment of both the…
-
Identities of Brothel Customers Named in Controversial Massachusetts Hearing
In late March of 2025, The Harvard Crimson revealed that the identities of 34 brothel “clients” had been named by a hearing in Massachusetts. The case highlights not only the involvement of several public figures, but also the loss of subtlety and…
-
Shooting in Boston Raises Questions About Witness Intimidation
While shootings in Boston are relatively common, things become more notable when victims are shot days before their murder trials. When someone is attacked before testifying or appearing in court, it is often related to witness intimidation. The details of…
-
Major Law Firm Criticized for Not Standing Up to the Government
While settlements represent the most common outcome for civil cases, they are not always the most ethical. A financial settlement allows a wrongdoer to walk away without ever accepting fault, and some feel that this absolves them of all accountability. These…
-
Second Amendment Advocates Celebrate After Victories in Massachusetts Gun Cases
The Second Amendment is a controversial topic in many circles, but it may become a crucial defense for those facing gun charges in Massachusetts. Two recent cases provide some optimism for gun owners in Boston, and they both revolve around the “may issue”…
-
Brockton Men Arraigned in Connection With Shooting
In February of 2025, two men from Brockton were indicted and arraigned on murder charges. These charges stemmed from a fatal shooting incident in Brockton during the previous summer. This case is yet another example of how many fatal shootings have occurred…
-
Former Police Officer Has Guilty Verdict "Set Aside" in Massachusetts
In February of 2025, a judge "set aside" the guilty verdict of a former police officer in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He had previously been found guilty of child rape and indecent assault & battery. Many people are confused about this case, and…