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Q: Are single-edged weapons like swords, spears, and knives legal to carry for personal protection in Massachusetts?
I am a law-abiding Massachusetts resident seeking clarification on the state's dangerous weapons and concealment laws, especially following the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's ruling in Commonwealth v. Canjura (2024). These courts... View More 
Patrick L Garrity
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answered on Oct 29, 2026
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answered on Oct 29, 2026
Massachusetts law does not categorically prohibit carrying all single-edged knives, swords, spears, or machetes. However, the distinction is more complicated than whether a blade has one sharpened edge or two.
Under G.L. c. 269, § 10(b), certain weapons remain expressly prohibited,... View More
Q: Can I contest a felony strike due to ineffective counsel?
Dear Attorney,
I am seeking an immediate review of my felony strike conviction in Riverside County, California, under Case No. FERI2500237. I have never been in trouble with the law before. I feel that my public defender provided ineffective assistance. He ignored my requests to review... View More
Martin Louis Winfield Jr
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answered on Oct 28, 2026
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answered on Oct 28, 2026
Your concerns warrant prompt review by counsel who was not involved in the plea. They do not automatically establish ineffective assistance, but the alleged change in the charge and last-minute GBI admission make the actual plea record especially important.
First, obtain the filed... View More
Q: What are the potential penalties for a 4th DUI in Texas with prior offenses from Utah?
I know someone who recently received a fourth DUI in Texas. The person is 30 years old and has three prior DUI convictions from Utah, including one when he was under 18. What can he expect in terms of potential penalties or charges in Texas, given the previous offenses in Utah?
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Anthony Ray Segura
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answered on Oct 28, 2026
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answered on Oct 28, 2026
Your friend could face a felony DWI charge in Texas even though the prior convictions occurred in Utah. Texas generally calls the adult offense “DWI.” Under Texas law, two qualifying prior intoxicated-driving convictions can make a new DWI a third-degree felony. Out-of-state convictions can... View More
Q: Can I file a tort claim against Payette County Jail for not providing insulin?
I was incarcerated in the Payette County Jail in Idaho over the Independence Day weekend, and I am a type 1 diabetic using an insulin pump. During my stay, I sent written requests ("kites") to inform the jail staff about my need for insulin, but they dismissed my concerns. I was allowed... View More
Jeb W. "J.W." Bond
answered on Oct 28, 2026
answered on Oct 28, 2026
Your description warrants prompt review by an Idaho attorney experienced in jail medical-care claims. Governmental immunity is a significant issue, but it should not be assumed to resolve every possible claim against every potentially responsible party.
Idaho has a specific immunity... View More
Q: What lawyer to consult for a death in custody in VA?
I need legal guidance regarding the death of my sister, who died while in custody at a jail in Virginia. I filed a missing person's report on October 2, 2026, since law enforcement initially assured me she was not in jail or hospital. However, I later discovered she was in jail since September... View More
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 28, 2026
answered on Oct 28, 2026
A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm so sorry for your loss. The case you describe could involve wrongful death, personal injury, neglect, medical malpractice, civil rights/disability law, and other possible areas of law. You mention a jail... View More
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