Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Blog
On November 28, 2017 JH, a 27 year old Assistant Manager at a sports equipment store, was observed sitting in his car in a mall parking lot injecting himself with heroin. The police arrived at JH’s car and removed JH from the car along with a bag of heroin. In 2013 JH had a prior Possession of Heroin case. JH was charged with Possession of Heroin and was summonsed to appear in Lawrence District Court. JH met with and retained Attorney Robert Lewin from North Andover. Attorney Lewin explained to JH that Lawrence was a very treatment oriented court and that if JH was willing to get into treatment (outpatient) that there was a good chance the case could be dismissed.
On February 15, 2018 JH and Attorney Lewin appeared in Lawrence District Court for JH’s arraignment. Prior to the arraignment Attorney Lewin had spoken with an Assistant District Attorney about the case. The Assistant DA was concerned about the fact that JH had a prior heroin possession case. Attorney Lewin stressed to the DA that JH was committed to his treatment program and to remaining drug free. At the arraignment on February 15, 2018 the DA agreed to continue the case for six months and to dismiss the case if JH stayed out of trouble and remained in outpatient drug treatment. On August 15, 2018, JH having successfully remained in treatment, the case was ordered dismissed.
JH is to be commended. He is working hard to overcome his addiction to opiates. Even though his court case has been dismissed he remains in treatment and he remains drug free. Because Attorney Lewin took the time to meet with the Assistant DA prior to the arraignment JH was able to get a favorable resolution of the case on the arraignment date.
As an aside, JH has now retained Attorney Lewin to get his entire criminal record sealed. The Petition to Seal the record is being prepared and will be filed at Lawrence District Court for a hearing on the last Friday in September. (Petitions to Seal Records in Lawrence District Court are heard on the last Friday of every month and must be filed before the 15th of each month.)