Our Insights

Stalking charges in Massachusetts require proof of repeated threatening behavior causing substantial emotional distress, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison and mandatory minimums of 1-2 years for protective order violations or repeat offenses.

The age of consent in Massachusetts is 16, with no "Romeo and Juliet" exceptions. Statutory rape carries penalties up to life in prison for first offenses and mandatory 15-year minimums for repeat offenders, plus lifetime sex offender registration.

Theft crimes in Massachusetts are prosecuted as larceny offenses, with penalties determined by property value: petty larceny under $250 carries up to 1 year jail, while grand larceny over $250 can result in up to 5 years prison and $25,000 fines.

Your Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) affects employment, housing, and licensing opportunities in Massachusetts. Understanding your rights, sealing eligibility after 5-10 years, and correction procedures can help protect your future and ensure proper access to your records.

Encountering police in Massachusetts can be stressful, especially when procedures and legal boundaries are unclear. Understanding what officers can and cannot do helps you respond appropriately, whether you are driving or a passenger. Knowing what your rights are when you get pulled over can influence how the encounter unfolds and guide your response effectively. Awareness of police traffic stop procedures allows you to handle interactions calmly and avoid self-incrimination.

Facing criminal charges is more than scary, but knowing your legal defenses can help you stay calm and figure out a plan. There are several potential ways to avoid a guilty verdict, meaning you’ve potentially got a way out if you know what to do. Take a look at some of the most common defenses in Massachusetts criminal cases to help you figure out how your legal counsel could protect you from time behind bars.

Understand the key differences between federal and state criminal cases in Massachusetts, from court systems to penalties and defense strategies.

Know your rights under Massachusetts search and seizure laws. Learn when searches are legal and how to challenge unlawful searches.

Learn about Massachusetts OUI penalties, including fines, license suspensions, and jail time for first, second, and third offenses.

Navigate criminal defense with your loved one. Learn how families can provide support, understand legal roles, and communicate effectively with attorneys.

Facing domestic violence charges in Massachusetts? Learn about arrest policies, legal defenses, and get expert help from H. Ernest Stone Attorney.

Being arrested is traumatic. We understand. But there are some things to know that can help you get through the experience and set you up for a more successful outcome. Rule 1, don't talk to the police.

A Clerk Magistrate Hearing is one way you can be charged with a crime in Massachusetts. This is a very important event, and a Summons for a Clerk's Hearing should not be ignored.

Probation can be a challenge. you have to strictly obey the conditions, and if you violate, the penalties can be severe. Contact us for help with your hearing.

Learn about Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), who can access it, and how to seal or expunge your record. Protect your future today.

In Massachusetts, the penalties for drug charges can be severe and life-altering. Understanding the consequences of these charges is crucial. Learn more today!

In Massachusetts, there are many ways to defend against drug charges. Here are a few of them. Every case is different, so contact an experienced defense lawyer if you have been charged.

In Massachusetts, sealing or expunging a criminal record gives you a fresh start. In this post we clarify the process, eligibility criteria, and the benefits.

Understand how bail works in Massachusetts state courts, including how bail is determined, the methods for posting bail, and the various terms of release.

If you are the subject of either type of Massachusetts restraining order, you must understand this: both of these orders can lead to criminal charges. 

Learn what to expect during sentencing and post-trial in Massachusetts criminal cases. Get expert guidance from H. Ernest Stone Attorney.

As a defendant facing a criminal charge in Massachusetts, it is important to understand what to expect during the trial process.

If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Massachusetts, the court dates after arraignment are called pre-trial hearings. Learn more today!

An arraignment hearing is the formal start to a criminal case in Massachusetts. Learn more about the issues discussed at an arraignment hearing today!

What to expect when you have been charged with a crime and are facing the criminal court process in Massachusetts.

Hiring a criminal defense lawyer is crucial when facing criminal charges in Massachusetts. Your attorney can bring to bear legal knowledge and skill, investigate your case, challenge the case against you, negotiate, and advocate for you in the courtroom.

Mental health issues often play a part in criminal cases. Seeking mental health treatment is almost always a smart move, and almost always helps your case. Learn more here.

Trauma and its effects are factors in many criminal cases. A knowledge of PTSD and its symptoms can be a powerful part of the defense. Identification, understanding, and treatment of trauma and its effects are critical for defendants and defense attorneys. Being accused is itself traumatic. We understand. We can help.

Addiction is a frequent factor in criminal cases, and it can be addressed in a positive, constructive way to get great outcomes in cases that seem hopeless at the start. Being accused is traumatic. We understand. We can help.

If you would like to consider using mental health as a defense in Massachusetts, you should contact an attorney immediately. At H. Ernest Stone, Attorney PC, we specialize in criminal defense cases and how they are often affected by poor mental health.

If you are facing criminal charges and you have been struggling with alcohol or drugs, it’s important that you confide in your attorney. The legal professionals at H. Ernest Stone are ready to help with every aspect of your case.

Your mental health can significantly impact the outcome of your case. If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, contact H. Ernest Stone. We understand mental health issues, and how they affect criminal cases.