Qualified Immunity  Qualified immunity police officers from being held personally liable for constitutional violations as long as the official did not violate “clearly established” law.  In 1871, Congress  passed 42 USC 1983 to allow citizens to sue government officials personally for civil rights violations.  It says, “Every person who under color of any statute…subjects any… Read More

If you get a Massachusetts speeding ticket your speeding ticket appeal will take place in the District Court where the offense took place.  So if you are given a speeding ticket on the Mass Pike in Framingham the appeal will be in the Framingham District Court. But how do you find out where the appeal will… Read More

Not every criminal case in Massachusetts ends with either a guilty or a not guilty. One way a case can end is with a continuation without a finding. A continuation without a finding or CWOF is a plea where the defendant admits that he or she could be found guilty without actually being found guilty…. Read More

Patrick Donovan Massachusetts Criminal Attorney

The question must be why? Why has the use of Tasers increased so dramatically in Massachusetts in four year? The Boston Herald has reported that in just four years police in Massachusetts have doubled the use of Tasers on people. Police chiefs in Massachusetts must report the use of Tasers with the state. Out of… Read More

The purpose of a Massachusetts arraignment is to formally charge someone with a crime. After the charges are read, the judge will then ask if the person wants to hire their own lawyer, see if they qualify for a court appointed attorney. The clerk will automatically enter a “Not Guilty” plea. The Judge then asks the… Read More

If you have been charged with a crime you know by now that hiring the right lawyer can make all the difference. But where do you start and how can you tell good lawyers from bad lawyers? Read Online Reviews Online reviews are the best place to begin your search for a criminal lawyer. Online… Read More

One question I am often asked is, “Will I be able to get a gun license if I have felony on my record?” Unfortunately the answer is NO. Even if you had a Massachusetts gun license for years without any incidents just having a felony on your record will make you ineligible to legally carry… Read More

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Massachusetts, understanding the criminal arraignment process is crucial. This guide will walk you through what to expect, the steps involved, and how to prepare for your first court appearance. What is a Massachusetts Arraignment? An arraignment is the first formal step in the criminal court process. During… Read More

Massachusetts Junior Operator Penalties Massachusetts imposes some of the strictest penalties for junior operators in the country. One speeding ticket can cost a driver the loss of their license. In addition to the increased insurance premiums loss of driving rights are at stake whenever a junior operator gets a citation. Massachusetts Junior Operator Penalties Passenger… Read More