https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/ Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog en-us https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/written-bomb-threat-not-predicate-offense-leading-pretrial-detention-massachusetts/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/written-bomb-threat-not-predicate-offense-leading-pretrial-detention-massachusetts/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 02:18:36 GMT In March of 2026, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decided that a written bomb threat did not constitute a predicate offense under the “force clause,” and therefore pretrial detention was not justified. Under the state’s force clause, only certain types of violent offenses may lead to pretrial detention. If you face the loss of bail, consider speaking with an experienced criminal defense… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/some-say-shotspotter-could-have-stopped-fourth-july-shooting-cambridge-how-reliable-it/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/some-say-shotspotter-could-have-stopped-fourth-july-shooting-cambridge-how-reliable-it/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:46:20 GMT On July 4, 2026, the City of Cambridge announced that a Public Works employee had died in a Fourth of July shooting. Police subsequently arrested a suspect who reportedly acted as a lookout while other masked men attacked the victim. The other individuals are (as of this writing) still on the loose. While the investigation continues, ShotSpotter technology once again takes center stage. Could… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/massachusetts-special-projects-unit-warns-“extremely-racist”-comments-police/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/massachusetts-special-projects-unit-warns-“extremely-racist”-comments-police/ Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:09:13 GMT Although many people are probably already aware that some police officers in Massachusetts have controversial views, a recent criminal case has exposed the degree to which these views permeate law enforcement. Although this specific controversy only involves two police officers, it obviously reflects badly on the entire organization. If you believe you are facing bias or discrimination during… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/defendants-denied-bail-after-spending-five-years-behind-bars-no-conviction/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/defendants-denied-bail-after-spending-five-years-behind-bars-no-conviction/ Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:08:09 GMT Three defendants facing murder charges in Massachusetts will remain behind bars, despite going through five years of incarceration without actual convictions. At one point, it seemed as though a judge was willing to release them after a scandal hit the law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the charges. However, prosecutors appealed and convinced the court to keep the defendants… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/alvin-campbell-brother-massachusetts-attorney-general-found-guilty-rape/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/alvin-campbell-brother-massachusetts-attorney-general-found-guilty-rape/ Sat, 13 Jun 2026 16:08:46 GMT On June 11, 2026, WHDH reported that the brother of Massachusetts’ attorney general had been found guilty of 21 counts of rape, kidnapping, and indecent assault. This was one of the most high-profile criminal trials of recent memory, and it shows that “friends in high places” do not always guarantee leniency from the criminal justice system. If you face similar charges, contact an experienced… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/massachusetts-supreme-court-finally-vacates-drug-conviction-after-24-hour-delay-carrying-out/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/massachusetts-supreme-court-finally-vacates-drug-conviction-after-24-hour-delay-carrying-out/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:19:35 GMT In April 2026, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts finally vacated a drug conviction that was based on a traffic stop with an “unreasonable” 24-hour delay. Although this traffic stop clearly violated the defendant’s 4th and 14th Amendment Rights, his motion to suppress was denied by the trial judge. If you believe that your constitutional rights were violated by police officers during… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/boston-defense-attorney-demands-know-how-authorities-got-his-client’s-dna/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/boston-defense-attorney-demands-know-how-authorities-got-his-client’s-dna/ Sat, 04 Apr 2026 16:54:44 GMT In February of 2026, a Boston defense attorney raised concerns about how the authorities managed to gain possession of her client’s DNA. This attorney is representing a man accused of attacking various female victims more than a decade ago, and her defense strategy could hinge on how his client’s DNA sample was obtained by law enforcement. If you face similar DNA evidence in a Boston rape trial,… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/commonwealth-decides-armed-robbery-“minimal-force”-does-not-lead-pretrial-detention/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/commonwealth-decides-armed-robbery-“minimal-force”-does-not-lead-pretrial-detention/ Sat, 04 Apr 2026 16:53:20 GMT In March of 2026, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts decided that since armed robbery may involve “minimal force,” it does not necessarily need to lead to pretrial detention. This decision has major implications for defendants in Massachusetts, and it means that you may be able to plan your defense outside of incarceration with help from an experienced Boston criminal defense attorney.… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/forgotten-dui-crash-destroys-credibility-investigator-boston-murder-trial/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/forgotten-dui-crash-destroys-credibility-investigator-boston-murder-trial/ Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:32:22 GMT One of the most obvious defense strategies in a Boston murder trial is to attack the credibility of the law enforcement officers tasked with investigating the crime. These allegations are often fully justified, as many law enforcement officers have committed all kinds of misconduct that calls their credibility into question. A recent murder trial involving a forgotten DUI has led to a… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/commonwealth-gets-second-chance-after-failing-present-drug-evidence/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/commonwealth-gets-second-chance-after-failing-present-drug-evidence/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:14:43 GMT Physical drug evidence is often crucial for prosecutors attempting to secure convictions. But what happens if they can’t present the evidence? In at least one case, this failure to present evidence caused a trial judge to dismiss charges against someone accused of drug charges in Boston . Although the appellate court eventually vacated this judgment, it provides a sense of what might happen after… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/defendant-successfully-appeals-serious-convictions-based-unlawful-exit-order/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/defendant-successfully-appeals-serious-convictions-based-unlawful-exit-order/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:08:07 GMT In Massachusetts, an “exit order” is exactly what it sounds like. Simply put, it is when a police officer tells you to get out of your car. Although you might assume that a police officer always has the authority to order you around in this manner, this is not actually the case. In Massachusetts, police officers can only issue exit orders under certain circumstances. As a recent case shows, an… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/can-court-deny-your-bail-boston-if-you-commit-crime-while-custody/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/can-court-deny-your-bail-boston-if-you-commit-crime-while-custody/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:05:58 GMT Defendants often react badly after the authorities arrest and incarcerate them, and for obvious reasons. A prison or jail is an undeniably dangerous place, and many prisoners have had to defend themselves against violent inmates over the years. However, violent situations can also lead to new criminal charges. In a recent case, the court was forced to determine whether it’s legal to deny bail for… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/concepts-“resende”-and-obiter-dictum-how-do-they-affect-gun-charges-boston/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/concepts-“resende”-and-obiter-dictum-how-do-they-affect-gun-charges-boston/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:04:56 GMT As most defendants know, criminal penalties tend to become progressively more serious as you receive more convictions on your record. This applies to gun charges, and the existence of prior charges on your record can increase your sentence significantly. An “armed career criminal enhancement” in Boston can be particularly problematic for defendants. However, a recent case shows that you can… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/minnesota-governor-under-investigation-violating-federal-conspiracy-statute/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/minnesota-governor-under-investigation-violating-federal-conspiracy-statute/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:03:29 GMT In January of 2026, multiple sources reported that the Justice Department was investigating the Minnesota Governor for allegedly violating a conspiracy statute . Other state officials, including the Mayor of Minneapolis, are also reportedly under investigation by the Justice Department. The news came amid heated tensions and ongoing civil unrest in Minnesota. What exactly was Governor Walz… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/boston-federal-judge-accuses-government-violating-constitution/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/boston-federal-judge-accuses-government-violating-constitution/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:20:35 GMT The First Amendment is arguably the most important part of the Constitution, as it allows the people to criticize the government without fear of retribution. Without free speech, there is not much separating the United States from a dictatorship. Previously, the curtailing of First Amendment rights was something advocated for by voices on the left. The logic was that certain opinions could be too… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/appellate-court-finds-insufficient-evidence-defendant-used-snapchat-violate-protective-order/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/appellate-court-finds-insufficient-evidence-defendant-used-snapchat-violate-protective-order/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:18:56 GMT In January of 2026, an appellate court in Massachusetts concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove that a defendant had used Snapchat to violate his protective order. This case highlights the fact that it is very easy to impersonate other people online, and defendants could potentially face false allegations because of this. If you are facing criminal charges because of an alleged… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/child-rape-charge-reversed-due-indictment-error-massachusetts/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/child-rape-charge-reversed-due-indictment-error-massachusetts/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:17:35 GMT The Massachusetts appeals court has reversed a child rape conviction due to an error during the indictment process. In January of 2026, the court considered the permissibility of amending an indictment to change the subsection of a statute. In the end, they concluded that it was not permissible and reversed the child rape convictions. What are the implications of this ruling, and could a Boston… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/nfl-player-faces-domestic-battery-charges-after-allegedly-assaulting-his-chef/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/nfl-player-faces-domestic-battery-charges-after-allegedly-assaulting-his-chef/ Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:06:43 GMT In late December of 2025, CBS News reported that a well-known NFL player was facing charges of domestic battery after allegedly putting his personal chef in a chokehold. While the player vehemently denies these allegations, the case could affect his professional career and reputation. This case also illustrates the fact that domestic violence charges can stem from interactions between non-family… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/governor’s-staffer-somehow-paid-over-30000-after-cocaine-possession-charges/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/governor’s-staffer-somehow-paid-over-30000-after-cocaine-possession-charges/ Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:04:27 GMT The government and residents of Massachusetts are still trying to figure out how a staffer received a payout of $30,000 after being fired for allegedly trafficking cocaine. The story raises difficult questions about the Governor’s connection to a man who seems to have been involved in criminal activities. However, it is important to note that those found with large quantities of cocaine are… https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/hit-and-run-case-boston-defendant-pleads-insanity-face-premeditation-allegations/ https://www.molarilaw.com/blog/hit-and-run-case-boston-defendant-pleads-insanity-face-premeditation-allegations/ Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:03:23 GMT In January of 2026, NBC Boston reported that a well-known art collector had died in a hit-and-run crash. The man’s dog also perished. The driver now faces allegations of murder and animal cruelty, with authorities alleging that this was an intentional ramming attack. The case now serves as a notable example of the conflict between the insanity defense in Boston and allegations of premeditation.…