Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Blog
On March 15, 1980, DM, a then 18 year old woman, was alleged to have driven recklessly without headlights on and almost striking a pedestrian. She was given a citation for Reckless Operation and Operating without Headlights by the North Attleboro Police. She was living in Rhode Island at the time. She was summonsed to appear in Attleboro District Court and failed to appear in court. A warrant for her arrest was issued. Shortly thereafter DM moved to Florida. She has lived in FL for over 40 years. DM is now age 64 and when she went to renew her FL license, the Florida DMV told her they would not renew her license because she was under suspension in Massachusetts as a result of the outstanding warrant in Attleboro District Court. DM tried to resolve the case herself, but was unable to make any progress.
DM first consulted with Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Attorney Lewin explained to DM that some courts and judges require the person to appear in court personally to clear a warrant. Attorney Lewin told DM he would see what he could do. Attorney Lewin contacted the North Attleboro Police. The case was so old that no one now on the force had ever heard of the officer. Attorney Lewin then contacted the Court. By Friday, April 17, 2026, Attorney Lewin was successful in achieving the following results without anyone setting a foot inside the courthouse:
- The warrant was CANCELLED
- The criminal charge of Reckless Operation was DISMISSED
- On the civil motor vehicle infraction of Operating without Headlights, DM was found NOT RESPONSIBLE.
It was a complete and total win. The Court issued an abstract (a summary of the disposition of the case) to Attorney Lewin which was needed to clear the suspension of DM’s right to operate at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Attorney Robert Lewin has been dealing with these old warrant cases for decades and is a master at getting these old warrants cleared – every now and then without the offender having to come to Massachusetts (as in DM’s case). Attorney Lewin was an Assistant District Attorney from 1972-1975. For the last 51 years he has limited his practice to criminal defense. There are very few lawyers in Massachusetts who have the breath of experience and knowledge and simple “know how” that Attorney Robert Lewin brings to every case and every client.