On March 2, 2024, DM, a 31 year old project manager, was living in Haverhill with his girlfriend. They had been in a dating relatuionship for two years. On that night he had been drinking heavily and got into an argument with his girlfriend about his drinking. At one point he lunged at her and tackled her (football style) throwing her down to the floor. She scratched him to get away, ran out of the apartment, and called 911. The police responded and took a statement from her in whicvh she described the attack in detail. The police spoke with DM, noted his intoxication, and in the converstaion he admitted to the police that he had tackled her and threw her down to the floor. He was cuffed and arrested and brought to the Haverhill PD. On March 4, 2025 he was arraigned in Haverhill Diostrict Court and his case was continued. DM met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover.
Attorney Lewin immediately began to work on the case. He obtained a copy of the 911 call. He also noted that there was no mention of photos or videos or body worn camera recordings in the police report. Attorney Lewin had contact with DM’s girlfriend. It was her wish that DM get help for his drinking and his anger managment.
DM told Attorney Lewin that he did not want ot go to jail and that if he could avoid a conviction that would be a real bonus. Attorney Lewin had numerous conversations with the Assistant District Attorney about resolving the case and Attorney Lewin was finally able to convince the Assistant DA to agree to a general continuance of the case followed by a dismissal.
On April 18, 2024, DM and Attorney Lewin appeared in Haverhill District Court. Attorney Lewin informed the Judge that he and the Assistant District Attorney had reached an agreement to recommend to the Judge that the case ne continued generally for one year and that if there were no reports of any further trouble, then the case could be dismissed. The Judge accepted the proposal and the case was continued for a year.
On May 16, 2025, DM and Attorney Lewin appeared in Havehill District Court and the Judge ordered the case dismissed. A general continuance does NOT involve any admission of wrongdoing or guilt. It is very different from a continuance without a finding which requires an admissionm of guilt.
DM was very happy with the result. Attorney Lewin explained the following to DM:
- His case was fully DISMISSED.
- He was NOT convicted of any crime.
- His plea of NOT guilty never changed.
- There was NO admission of guilt or wrongdoing on his part.
- There was NO finding of any guilt or wrongdoing on his part.
Results like this are common for Attorney Lewin. He was a former Assistant District Attorney and for the last 50 years he has limited his practice to crimimal defense. There are a very few lawyers who have the experience and knowledge and skill that Attorney Lewin brings to every criminal case that he defends.