An arraignment is the formal initiation of criminal charges against an individual. It is at this time that a defendant is formally notified of the charges against him or her, the criminal penalties, and what conditions they will be subject to for the duration of their criminal case. It is also the moment when a judge  … Read more

  Not every case goes to trial, but what happens when one does? This question is rightfully on the mind of every defendant, and should be in the forefront of their defense attorney’s mind. From the start, a good attorney approaches each case as if a trial will occur. By doing so, the attorney can  … Read more

What sets a private attorney apart from public defenders? When charged with a crime, an individual must make one of the most important choices of their life: whom they will select to represent them in their criminal case. Due to financial constraints, some individuals are automatically defaulted into working with a public defender. The attorneys  … Read more

  When dealing with a restraining order, there are a lot of moving parts involved Being served with a restraining order can be one of the most shocking and traumatic events in a person’s life. The reason this legal action is so surprising is because many people have no idea that it is coming. Under  … Read more

There are many factors involved when it comes to sealing a criminal case One of the most frequently asked questions we receive at the completion of a criminal case is “Can I seal my case?” Most people who ask this question often times do not realize just how complicated the analysis actually is. First of all, there  … Read more

How to choose the best criminal defense attorney When an individual is facing criminal charges, whether it be for the first time ever or on a subsequent basis, they are dealing with a huge life crisis. The possibility of imprisonment, loss of a license, damage to a reputation, or loss of employment are all significant consequences that  … Read more

The road to getting a case dismissed can be long and arduous, depending on many factors.    One of the most common questions criminal defense attorneys are asked is “How can I get my case dismissed?”. Clients are often desperate to have their case resolved as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, no attorney- no matter how skilled and experienced-  … Read more

How can I fight my speeding ticket in Massachusetts? Many people are stopped by the police and receive a speeding ticket or a moving violation. That violation will state whether it is a civil or criminal infraction. When you get a speeding ticket, the most important thing to do is be sure of what type  … Read more

What is a Clerk magistrate hearing? The clerk magistrate is the person who has the power to decide, based on the standard of probable cause, whether or not criminal charges should issue and therefore whether or not to schedule the defendant for an arraignment. Probable cause is a legal term that reflects the standard of evidence required  … Read more

Recently there has been much discussion in the news about the admissibility of breathalyzer evidence in Massachusetts criminal trials. Attorney Irvin Rakhlin has been part of a lead group of attorneys that has been working for over a year on this particular breathalyzer litigation. Attorney Rakhlin and the other attorneys have worked tirelessly to convince the  … Read more