On July 10, 2025, CS, a 50 year old medical professional from Andover, was driving her car in Merrimac, MA. She got lost and pulled into the parking lot of an auto body repair shop. She pulled in and struck a car that was parked in the lot. She got out of her car and surveyed the damage to her car and to the other car. She then got back in her car and drove away without notifying anyone. Unbeknownst to her, a man and his son were in an adjoining lot and witnessed the entire episode. They got a good look at her and were able to write down the license plate number on her car. The men called the Merrimack Police. The police responded to the scene and took statements from the man and his son. The police ran the license plate number and it came back with CS’s name and address. The Merrimac Police called the Andover Police. The Andover Police went to CS’s home and saw the damage on her car and asked CS to call the Merrimac Police. CS called the Merrimac Police and ultimately confessed to the hit and run. The investigating officer told CS that she would be receiving a citation in the mail for the hit and run and that she would have to go to court in Newburyport.
Later that same date CS contacted Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover. Attorney Lewin explained to CS the ramifications of a hit and run charge (including the 60 day loss of license if convicted). Attorney Lewin explained to CS the importance of getting a lawyer involved quickly so that things can be done to get the case headed toward NOT being prosecuted. CS retained Attorney Lewin immediately. Attorney Lewin immediately called the officer investigating the case and was able to quickly establish a very positive relationship with the officer. (The fact that Attorney Lewin was a former Assistant D.A. and worked directly with the police and knows what they want to hear and what they don’t want to hear is immensely helpful.) In addition, Attorney Lewin contacted CS’s insurance company, to make certain that the woman whose car was struck and damaged was paid quickly and in full for the damage to her car.
A clerk-magistrate hearing was scheduled for September 17, 2025. Attorney Lewin had a number of positive conversations with the officer leading up to the hearing. In those conversations Attorney Lewin suggested a resolution of the case at the Clerk-Magistrate hearing without a criminal complaint being issued against CS.
On September 17, 2025, Attorney Lewin and CS appeared at Newburyport District Court for the Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. At the hearing, after the police presented their evidence, Attorney Lewin advocated for the Clerk-Magistrate NOT to issue a criminal complaint against CS. Attorney Lewin explained to the Clerk-Magistrate that CS had no criminal record and that once contacted by the police she had cooperated with the police. In addition, Attorney Lewin, explained that he had contacted the insurance company and that the victim had been fully paid for the damage to her car.
The Clerk-Magistrate turned to the police prosecutor and asked the prosecutor if he had any objection to Attorney Lewin’s proposal. The prosecutor said he had no objection. The Clerk-Magistrate then said that he would adopt Attorney Lewin’s proposal. The Clerk-Magistrate then continued the hearing for three months to December 17, 2025 and said, as long as CS had no law violations during that three month period, then no one would have to come back to court on December 17, 2025, and the police application for a criminal complaint would be denied and no complaint would be issued against CS.
CS was thrilled with the result. Attorney Lewin explained to CS the following:
- NO criminal complaint was being issued against CS.
- CS was NOT being officially charged with a crime.
- CS did NOT have to return to court and go before a Judge.
- NO entry was being made in the CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) System against CS.
- CS would have NO criminal record as a result of this incident.
- CS would NOT lose her license.
Attorney Lewin was an Assistant District Attorney from 1972-1975 and for the last 50 years has dedicated his law practice to criminal defense. There are very few criminal lawyers practicing in Eastern Massachusetts that have the years of experience and knowledge that Attorney Lewin brings to every case.