Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer

Law Offices of Russell J Matson, PC - Criminal Defense

Free Initial Consultation

Call or TEXT Now!

(781) 817-6332

  • Home
  • Case Wins
  • Massachusetts Criminal Charges
  • Criminal Court Process
    • Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Charges
    • How to Seal A Criminal Record in Massachusetts
    • Massachusetts CORI Reform
  • About
  • Blog

Driving While High – Defending Marijuana OUI in Massachusetts

December 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

With marijuana consumption officially legal in Massachusetts, “driving while high” is the biggest concern for police under the recent legalization laws.

Has there been a big increase in incidents of operating under the influence of marijuana in Massachusetts? There is no evidence to suggest legalization causes a spike in impaired driving. A to the degree that marijuana OUI is a problem, it is probably something that has already been with us for some time, prior to marijuana legalization. In fact, people smoked weed and drove before it was legal. Shocking, I know.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: drug charges, OUI Tagged With: marijuana, OUI

Repeal of Mandatory Minimums For Drug Charges

June 20, 2017 1 Comment


Massachusetts legislators are again considering the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug charges Tagged With: drug charges, reform

License Suspension for Drug Charges Repealed

March 30, 2016 Leave a Comment


A terrible law that required a license suspension for any drug conviction has been repealed! This is great news!

Today, the Governor signed a bill repealing that pointless law, and giving people a reasonable chance to get their lives back together even if they’ve been convicted for drug possession.

The automatic suspension of your driver’s license law was passed in 1989 as part of the “War on Drugs”. Any criminal drug charge, including simple marijuana possession, mandated a license suspension of 6 months to up to 5 years, and a $500 fee to reinstate your license after the suspension period passed.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug charges

Should I Become a Confidential Drug Informant for the Police?

January 26, 2016 2 Comments

police confidential informant


If you have been arrested or contacted by the police who are threatening you with serious drug charges, that is a very scary situation.  Increasingly, police are using these threats to try to get people to cooperate with them in drug investigations.

Confidential Informants (or CI’s) have always been a tool used by police to acquire inside information about criminal activity. But informing for the police can be very dangerous, and the promises the police make in order to get an informant’s cooperation are not reliable or accurate. [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug charges

Police MUST Adapt to Marijuana Reform – Russell Matson at the Boston Freedom Rally

September 9, 2014 Leave a Comment


Cops are a problem.

Of course, not all cops are bad, and not all cops oppose decriminalization and legalization. There are actually lots of decent police officers in the community who would much rather be doing actual public safety than busting harmless pot smokers. And the fine folks at Law Enforcement Against Prohibition have been tirelessly pointing this out and doing fantastic advocacy work.

But far too many police officers are simply behind the times. They are stuck in old ways of thinking. They were weaned on enforcing the war on drugs, running DARE programs for kids, and absorbing prohibitionist propaganda.

But ALL cops are going to have to adapt to a future that we are creating after decriminalization and, soon, legalization. Because the capacity of police to cause enormous problems for harmless marijuana smokers remains far too high. [Read more…]

Filed Under: criminal justice, drug charges

Smell of Marijuana Doesn’t Justify A Police Search – Massachusetts SJC

July 9, 2014 1 Comment

marijuana smoke


In a further expansion and clarification of search laws, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously ruled that the smell of unburnt or fresh marijuana does not give police officers probable cause to order a search of a vehicle or person.

The ruling expands upon the 2011 decision in Commonwealth v Cruz that police can’t search a vehicle based on the smell of marijuana smoke emanating from a vehicle.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug charges

Next Page »

Free Consultation

Contact our attorneys for a free legal case evaluation on any criminal charge by calling:


(781) 817-6332


Receive our free legal defense consultation and case evaluation. We'll explain what you are facing in plain language, and tell you how we can help.

How to Win a Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing

I wrote the book on winning your case at a Clerk Magistrate's hearing. My book on How to beat a Clerk Magistrate's Hearing.
Complete this Form





Buy my book on Amazon

Or just email me and I'll send you a copy.
Seriously.
Don't really buy it. Just submit my web form above with your mailing address and we will send you one for free! No obligation.

How to Beat Your Clerk Magistrate's Hearing

$9.97
Shop Now

Criminal Procedures

  • Do I Need a Lawyer for an Arraignment in Massachusetts?
  • How to Avoid a Criminal Record – Pretrial Probation vs Pretrial Diversion
  • What To Do While You Are Waiting For a Clerk Magistrate’s Hearing Date
  • I Know I Am Guilty. Should I Just Plead Guilty in Court?
  • How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in Massachusetts?

OUI Charges

  • OUI (First Offense)
  • OUI Second Offense
  • OUI Third Offense (and Greater)
  • OUI Marijuana or Operating Under the Influence of Drugs
  • Massachusetts OUI Penalties: Third, Fourth and Fifth Offenses
  • Worried About Your OUI? Dealing with bad circumstances in OUI cases
  • How To Work Out a DUI Plea Deal in Massachusetts
  • Arrested for Drunk Driving? Taking the Case to Trial

Criminal Charges

  • Assault & Battery
  • Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW)
  • Bad Checks / Fraud
  • Burglary / Breaking and Entering
  • Child Endangerment
  • Hate Crimes
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drug Possession
  • Drug Possession – Class B Substance – Cocaine
  • Drug Possession – Marijuana
  • Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute
  • Failure to Appear
  • Firearms / Weapons Offenses
  • Harassment / Stalking
  • Hit and Run / Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Property Damage
  • Impersonating a Police Officer or Other Peace or Investigative Officer
  • Indecent Assault and Battery
  • Indecent Exposure
  • Larceny / Shoplifting / Theft
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Personal Injury
  • Minor in Possession of Alcohol or False Identification
  • Motor Vehicle Homicide Citation
  • Operating to Endanger / Negligent Operation (Reckless Driving)
  • Open and Gross Lewdness
  • Prostitution
  • Property Damage / Malicious Damage
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Sexual Assault / Rape – Laws and Penalties
  • Suspended License
  • Solicitation – Engaging in Sexual Conduct For a Fee
  • Trespassing
  • Threatening to Commit a Crime
Russell J. MatsonReviewsout of 5 reviews

Copyright © 2022 Law Offices of Russell J. Matson, PC