Massachusetts Criminal Defense Results: Dismissals, No Complaints, and Case Victories

The following results represent a portion of Serpa Law Office’s recent criminal defense work across Massachusetts District Courts and the Boston Municipal Court from March through June 2026. Results include clerk-magistrate hearing denials in which no complaint issued and no CORI entry was created, dismissals prior to arraignment in which the CORI entry was prevented, post-arraignment dismissals, and victories at restraining order hearings. Every matter is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contact Serpa Law Office at 617.936.0201 for a confidential consultation.

For how outcomes like these are reached, from pretrial motions to trial verdicts, see dismissals, not guilty verdicts, and the alternatives to a guilty plea.

For recent jury trial verdicts and not guilty results at trial, see Why Serpa Law Office?.

The most consequential stage in most Massachusetts criminal cases is the clerk-magistrate hearing, a private, pre-arraignment proceeding at which a complaint can be denied before any public record is created. A result of “No Complaint” means the clerk-magistrate denied the application. No arraignment occurred. No CORI entry was created. The matter is permanently and privately closed. A result of “Dismissed Prior to Arraignment” means the charge was resolved before the arraignment date, preventing the CORI entry from being created. See: Massachusetts Clerk-Magistrate Hearing FAQs and I Received a Show Cause Notice in Massachusetts. What Do I Do?.

July 2026

Threats to Commit a Crime: Complaint Dismissed on § 35A and Probable Cause Grounds, Lawrence District Court

The client, a biomedical engineer, was charged with threats to commit a crime under G.L. c. 275, § 2. The complaint had issued without the clerk-magistrate hearing G.L. c. 218, § 35A requires. Attorney Serpa moved to dismiss under Commonwealth v. DiBennadetto, and the court dismissed the complaint on both § 35A and probable cause grounds.

209A Abuse Prevention Order: Extension Denied After Cross-Examination, Woburn District Court

The plaintiff asked the court to extend a 209A abuse prevention order, alleging years of repeated domestic violence. At the extension hearing, Attorney Serpa cross-examined the plaintiff and walked the judge through the plaintiff’s own messages and video evidence. After a deep review of that evidence, the court declined to extend the order, and it expired.

Default Warrant: Warrant Recalled and Case Dismissed, Waltham District Court

International student on an F-1 visa. A default warrant had made returning to the United States impossible while the case sat open, and his flight back was imminent. On an emergency request, the court allowed him to appear by Zoom from his home country. The judge recalled the warrant and dismissed the case, clearing the way for him to reenter and finish his degree.

Assault and Battery on a Family or Household Member (M.G.L. c. 265, § 13M): Dismissed, BMC Dorchester

College graduate and Amazon employee. Serious roadside incident in which Massachusetts State Police responded to a report of domestic violence in progress. Charge dismissed.

Leaving the Scene – Cambridge District Court – No Probable Cause, No Complaint Issued

Police applied for a criminal complaint against our client for leaving the scene under M.G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a). Our client, a Harvard graduate, military veteran, retired teacher beloved by a generation of students, and classical vocalist who performs throughout his community, had never faced a criminal charge. The application threatened a record at the end of a long career of service. Attorney Serpa represented him at the clerk-magistrate hearing in Cambridge District Court and contested probable cause. The clerk-magistrate found no probable cause and declined to issue the complaint. The case ended there. No arraignment, no CORI entry, and no criminal record. The charge is explained at Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Massachusetts.

Shoplifting – Waltham District Court – No Probable Cause, No Complaint Issued

A retailer sought a criminal complaint against our client for shoplifting. Attorney Serpa prepared a comprehensive exhibit presentation for the clerk-magistrate hearing in Waltham District Court and contested the application. No complaint issued. The matter ended without an arraignment, without a CORI entry, and without a criminal record.

Forged License Document, G.L. c. 90, § 24B – Boston Municipal Court, Central Division – No Complaint Issued

Our client faced a complaint application under G.L. c. 90, § 24B, a felony, at a clerk-magistrate hearing in the Boston Municipal Court, Central Division. A felony complaint would have followed a young client for decades. Attorney Serpa contested the application at the hearing, and no complaint issued. No arraignment, no CORI entry, and no felony record. The charge category is explained at Fake ID and License Charges in Massachusetts.

Identity Fraud, G.L. c. 266, § 37E – Wrentham District Court – No Complaint Issued

Our client faced a complaint application for identity fraud under G.L. c. 266, § 37E at a clerk-magistrate hearing in Wrentham District Court. Attorney Serpa contested the application, and the clerk-magistrate declined to issue the complaint. The case ended before it began. No arraignment, no CORI entry, and no criminal record.

Firearms Offenses Connected to a 209A Order – Lawrence District Court – Continuance Without a Finding

The Commonwealth charged our client with serious firearms offenses connected to a 209A order, on evidence that made the charges readily provable at trial. Attorney Serpa litigated the case thoroughly, including motion practice challenging the Commonwealth’s evidence, and negotiated a resolution by continuance without a finding. Our client avoided a conviction on every charge. Upon successful completion of the continuance period, the case will be dismissed. On facts the Commonwealth could easily prove, the difference between a conviction record and a dismissal is the defense.

Shoplifting (M.G.L. c. 266, § 30A): No Complaint, Waltham District Court

Well-regarded small business owner, Harvard Business School graduate, with a young family. Multiple alleged incidents. All complaints denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

June 2026

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Central

Bentley University Economics Honors student. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing. No arraignment, no CORI entry, no university disclosure triggered. See: Fake ID Clerk-Magistrate Hearings in Boston and Cambridge.

Assault and Battery, No Complaint, BMC West Roxbury

UMass Boston recent graduate. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

258E Harassment Prevention Order, No Extension, Woburn District Court

Amherst College student. Extension denied at hearing.

ABPO and Domestic Assault and Battery, Dismissed and Sealed, BMC Central

Boston College graduate. Both charges dismissed and sealed.

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Central

Indiana University management major. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Domestic Assault and Battery and 209A Abuse Prevention Order, All Resolved Simultaneously, BMC West Roxbury

Licensed mental health professional. No complaint issued on the assault charge and no extension of the 209A order, both resolved at the same hearing.

OUI Drugs, Multiple Assault Charges, and Resisting Arrest, All Dismissed, BMC Roxbury

Colorado State University graduate. OUI resolved with 24D first-offender disposition; all assault and resisting arrest charges dismissed.

Assault and Battery with a Protective Order (ABPO), No Complaint, BMC Central

Berklee College of Music student. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Central

Berklee College of Music student. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct, No Complaint, BMC Central

Contracting business owner. Both complaints denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW), Dismissed, Attleboro District Court

UMass Dartmouth student. Charge dismissed.

Multiple Firearm and FID Violations, No Complaint, BMC South Boston

Management professional in the insurance industry. All complaints denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Central

Northeastern University finance student. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Shoplifting (M.G.L. c. 266, § 30A), No Complaint, BMC Central

Small business owner in esthetics. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing. See: Shoplifting and Larceny Clerk-Magistrate Hearings in Massachusetts.

May 2026

Unlicensed Operation (M.G.L. c. 90, § 10), No Complaint, Concord District Court

Finance professional. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing. See: Unlicensed Operation Clerk-Magistrate Hearings: Students, New Residents, and Skilled Workers.

Domestic Assault and Battery and Witness Intimidation, Dismissed, Dedham District Court

Software engineer. Both charges dismissed.

Shoplifting (M.G.L. c. 266, § 30A), No Complaint, Brockton District Court

UMass Boston student. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Breaking and Entering and Malicious Destruction, No Complaint, Somerville District Court

Tufts University finance major. Both complaints denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW), No Complaint, BMC East Boston (Logan Airport)

Dentist. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing. See: Criminal Defense for Licensed Professionals in Massachusetts.

258E Harassment Prevention Order, No Extension, Taunton District Court

Union elevator manager. Extension denied at hearing.

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Brighton

USC student. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW), Dismissed, Salem District Court

Corporate manager. Charge dismissed.

Reckless Operation and Failure to Obey a Police Order, No Complaint, Waltham District Court

Northeastern University business major. Both complaints denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Brighton

Boston College political science major. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

April 2026

Assault and Battery and Threats, Dismissed, Waltham District Court

Union electrician. Both charges dismissed.

209A Abuse Prevention Order, No Extension, Dedham District Court

Extension denied at hearing.

Unlicensed Operation (M.G.L. c. 90, § 10), No Complaint, Westborough District Court

Federal intelligence officer. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

OUI, Dismissed, BMC West Roxbury

Contractor. Charge dismissed.

Assault and Battery on a Family or Household Member (ABFHM), Dismissed and Sealed, Brookline District Court

Investment firm partner. Charge dismissed and sealed. See: Criminal Defense for Licensed Professionals in Massachusetts.

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Brighton

Boston College English major. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Larceny Over $1,200, Dismissed Prior to Arraignment, BMC South Boston

Northeastern University sports management major. Dismissed before arraignment, no CORI entry created.

OUI, Dismissed, BMC Charlestown

Contractor. Charge dismissed.

March 2026

ABFHM and 209A Violation, Dismissed and Sealed, BMC West Roxbury

Boston University business PhD student. Both charges dismissed and sealed.

ABFHM and Witness Intimidation, Dismissed, Lynn District Court

Rutgers University finance major. Both charges dismissed.

Larceny Over $1,200, Dismissed Prior to Arraignment, Cambridge District Court

Registered nurse. Dismissed before arraignment, no CORI entry created. See: Criminal Defense for Licensed Professionals in Massachusetts.

Fake ID (M.G.L. c. 90, § 24B), No Complaint, BMC Central

Tufts University engineering major. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Sex for a Fee, Dismissed, BMC Roxbury

Nursing student. Charge dismissed.

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW), No Complaint, BMC South Boston

City of Boston parking official. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Assault and Battery and Threats, No Complaint, Concord District Court

U.S. Navy contractor engineer. Both complaints denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Disorderly Conduct and Noise Violation, Dismissed Prior to Arraignment, BMC Brighton

Boston University finance major. Dismissed before arraignment, no CORI entry created.

OUI, No Complaint, BMC West Roxbury

Retail manager. Complaint denied at clerk-magistrate hearing.

Contact Serpa Law Office at 617.936.0201 for a confidential consultation. Boston office: 20 Park Plaza #400A. Quincy office: 500 Victory Rd., Suite 400A. Available 24 hours a day.

Related Pages

• Clerk-Magistrate Hearings in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Clerk-Magistrate Hearing FAQs
• I Received a Show Cause Notice in Massachusetts. What Do I Do?
• Fake ID Clerk-Magistrate Hearings in Boston and Cambridge
• Negligent Operation Clerk-Magistrate Hearings in Massachusetts
• Shoplifting and Larceny Clerk-Magistrate Hearings in Massachusetts
• Unlicensed Operation Clerk-Magistrate Hearings: Students, New Residents, and Skilled Workers
• College and University Student Criminal Defense
• Criminal Defense for Licensed Professionals in Massachusetts
• OUI Defense in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Domestic Violence Defense
• Massachusetts 209A Restraining Orders
• Massachusetts 258E Harassment Prevention Orders
• Massachusetts CORI and Criminal Records
• Sealing and Expunging a Massachusetts Criminal Record