Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Blog
On June 16, 2025, JB, an 18 year old high school graduate, and his girlfriend went shopping at the Target in Millbury. JB picked up a number of items and concealed them in his backpack. The items had a retail value of $178.56. JB went through the self checkout line and paid for one small case of soda. His girlfriend walked out with a package of lollipops for which she did not pay. Loss prevention personnel stopped JB as he was about to exit the store and brought him back to the loss prevention office. The Millbury Police responded to the store and took JB’s information and told him he would be summonsed to Court. The loss prevention people also discovered that JB and his girlfriend had been identified as shoplifting at the Target store in Salem, MA.
JB then received a notice that the police had applied for a crimimal complaint against him for Shoplifting by Concealment of merchandise at Worcester District Court. The hearing was set for August 5, 2025. JB retained Attorney Robert Lewin from Andover to represent him.
Attorney Lewin immediately contacted the police prosecutor from Millbury to discuss the case with him. It was important to note that JB had just graduated technical high school and was awaiting admission into the carpenters’ union. The big problem with a shoplifting charge is that once it is on your record you get branded as a thief; and no one wants to hire a thief. Attorney Lewin explained in detail to the police prosecutor JB’s situation.
On August 5, 2025, JB and Attorney Lewin appeared via Zoom for the Clerk-Magistrate Hearing. Because of his young age, Attorney Lewin insisted that JB’s mother and farher appear on the zoom as well. The police prosecutor presented the police case. Attorney Lewin then explained to the Clerk-Magistrate that JB had just graduated high school and was awaiting entry into the carpenter’s union. Although there was probable cause for the Clerk-Magistrate to issue a crimimal complaint against JB, Attorney Lewin advocated for the Clerk-Magistrate to not issue the complaint.
The Clerk-Magistrate then said that she would adopt Attorney Lewin’s recommendation and not issue a complaint against JB. She continued the case for six months and if JB stays out of trouble for those six months then he will not have to return to court and the case will be dismissed.
As a result of this disposition, Attorney Lewin explained the following to JB:
- NO criminal complaint was issued against JB.
- JB does NOT have to return to court and go before a judge.
- NO entry has been made in the CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) system under JB’s identity.
- JB has NO crimimal record as a result of this case.
Needless to say, JB and his parents were thrilled with the result. Attorney Robert Lewin’s record of successfully defending all criminal charges is unmatched. He thoroughly prepares every case and always walks into court fully prepared. Attorney Lewin began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County and for the last 50 years has limited his practice to criminal defense. There are very few lawyers that bring the years of experience and the intensity to mount a successful defense to every criminal case that Attorney Lewin does.