Here is a collection of articles highlighting just some of the cases worked on by Handelman & Mason.
Bail not set in OUI case
District Attorney sought to impose bail and require client to be fingerprinted in a case where the client was only summonsed. After a hearing, the judge agreed that a client with no criminal history and no trouble for the past four months did not need bail imposed. State’s Motion to Impose Bail denied.
Protection From Harassment dismissed
Another toxic breakup resulted PFH being filed by each party against the other. Opposing counsel declined to negotiate: all our client wanted was for the orders to be dismissed so everyone could move on with their lives. After hearing, the judge agreed with us. Both PFH dismissed.
Protection From Assault Violation, Harassment, Probation Violation dismissed
Client is in the midst of a toxic breakup with the mother of his children. The opposing party made unsupported allegations which we were able to discredit. The prosecutor realized the charges were improper. All charges dismissed.
OUI, 2x VCR dismissed
All charges dismissed after demonstrating the officer’s investigation and methods were inappropriate, the charges unreasonable elevated, the case was deeply flawed from the beginning. Case dismissed.
Domestic Violence Assault dismissed
Client was subjected to a reprehensible barrage of racial slurs, lost his temper and smashed up the house a bit. Prosecutor agreed that in the context, it was an injustice that my client was charged. Case dismissed.
OUI mandatory jail avoided
Because of a high blood alcohol test, client was facing a jail sentence in addition to a fine and license suspension. After lengthy negotiations, the prosecutor made a no-jail offer, keeping this first-time offender out of jail. We were also able to work the calendar to schedule the license suspension for a time when it would have the smaller impact on the client’s work schedule.
Criminal Speeding dismissed
A young client was arrested for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 mph. The prosecutor agreed that a conviction would cause more harm than good. Client completed driver safety course and made a charitable donation. Case dismissed.
Theft charge “no-complainted”
Client accused of shoplifting. Discussions with prosecutor convinced her not to prosecute this person who made an error of judgment and has an otherwise clear criminal history.
James Mason testifies as an expert in criminal law in a post-conviction review of a murder conviction
September 5, 2019
“38-year-old Nicholas Sexton and 42-year-old Randall Daluz were tried together in 2014 for the murders of Lucas Tuscano, Daniel Borders and Nicolle Lugdon.…”
Judge ends Windham man’s murder trial because key witness changed his mind
February 15, 2019
“Noah Gaston’s jury trial had barely started this week when Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy abruptly halted testimony…”
Cat owner, breeder fight for kittens that were thrown in pond
January 24, 2019
“According to a police report, Lovig told police she submerged the kittens under water because it was hot and she wanted to cool them off…”
Judge considers case for religious privilege in Windham man’s upcoming murder trial
January 23, 2019
“Noah Gaston is charged in the shooting death of his wife, and the defense wants to block testimony by two church leaders who spoke with him that day…”
Threats made online are ‘contact,’ Maine Supreme Judicial Court rules
November 4, 2018
“Richard Heffron’s Facebook status was written in all caps. Within an hour of its posting, Shaylynn Pierce received a screenshot from a family member…”
Threatening Facebook posts violated protection order, U.S. Court rules
July 25, 2018
“A protection order was violated by posts on Facebook, a U.S. court ruled this week, rejecting an appeal suggesting the updates were protected under the First Amendment…”
Former Bath bus driver pleads not guilty to taking photos up students’ skirts
July 18, 2018
“A former Bath bus driver who allegedly took illegal photos of students who rode the bus has pleaded not guilty in West Bath District Court…”
South Bristol Man Racks Up Fifth OUI
September 19, 2018
“A South Bristol man and former Damariscotta restaurateur with four prior convictions for operating under the influence has received a nine-month jail sentence and 10-year license suspension for his fifth…”
Maine high court considers whether Facebook posting violates no-contact order
June 15, 2018
“The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will decide if a man violated the law by posting comments on his Facebook page about a person he was forbidden to contact…“
Suspect in big Augusta drug bust to face trial next month
September 15, 2016
“McLaughlin, who has been held in lieu of $50,000 bail since his arrest Nov. 2, 2015, was at the Capital Judicial Center for pretrial motions…”
New York man sentenced to 7 years for selling heroin in Maine
July 26, 2016
“Kendell Cagle, also known as “Gudda,” 28, of Manhattan had pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated trafficking in heroin that occurred Jan. 21, 2016, in Oakland. In exchange for that plea, five other counts of aggravated drug trafficking in heroin, all on different dates that month, were dismissed by the state…“
Attorneys argue over motion notification
April 25, 2016
“A defense attorney has accused the state of willfully filing for a revocation of bail and an arrest without notifying him, calling the maneuver a fraud on the court and saying it intentionally violated his client's constitutional rights…“
Prosecutor drops Waldoboro armed robbery case, blames lack of victim ‘credibility’
April 1, 2016
“The state has dismissed charges against three New Hampshire brothers in connection with a drug-related armed robbery of a Waldoboro man last March…”
Rockport man accused of putting knife to woman’s throat
November 30, 2015
“Sheldon W. Curtis, 29, is being held at the Knox County Jail in Rockland on charges of domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, and domestic violence assault…”
Judge rejects domestic violence sentence as too lenient
October 16, 2013
“Justice Jeffrey Hjelm rejected Wednesday an agreement reached between the district attorney’s office and defense in the case of a Rockland man accused of again beating his longtime female companion…”
South Thomaston man gets five months for setting home on fire to collect insurance
April 22, 2013
“A 52-year-old South Thomaston man was sentenced Monday to five months in jail after admitting he set fire to his home in an effort to collect insurance…”
Rockland contractor convicted of felony theft in one of Knox County’s oldest cases
October 12, 2012
“The owner of a local contracting business was convicted Friday for the theft of money intended for renovation of a downtown building that instead was used for house payments and online gambling…”