Who would you sue for life’s little annoyances?

Who would you like to sue? Your cell-phone provider? The guy who sold you your computer? Your gym, which hasn't had hot water in weeks? This issue of Exhibit A takes a look at the litany of contracts you enter into on a regular basis. There could be some sticky clauses in those agreements you made with gyms, banks and even supermarkets. Of course, you likely won't bring a lawsuit against any of these entities, or anyone who just annoys you on a regular basis, but what if you could? Just for... More

Charges dropped against man who spray-painted goat genitals

Charges have been dropped against an upstate New York man who broke into a barn at 2 a.m. and applied orange spray-paint to the genitals of three goats. Drew Gagnon, 37, was charged with criminal trespass and animal cruelty after he broke into the barn owned by Bryce Fiero of Mahopac, N.Y. Gagnon also allegedly caused the goats to become sick by feeding them pornographic magazines. Fiero agreed to drop the charges in return for Gagnon's making a donation to the Humane Society and agreeing to... More

Who knew?

david.frank@exhibitAnews.com   On Oct. 27, 2004, as Red Sox nation watched team President Larry Lucchino and General Manager Theo Epstein accept the first World Series trophy in 86 years, few knew that the pair being drenched with champagne share a connection totally unrelated to baseball. Lucchino and Epstein, two of the most recognizable executives in the game, are both lawyers. "Whether you're talking about league commissioners or team CEOs, it's not a coincidence that there... More

The Wheel Deal

Boston is infamous for many things: its drivers, the grating accent of its locals and its never-ending construction projects, just to name a few. Now it has another black mark to add to the list. For the third time since 1999, Boston has been anointed one of the worst bicycling cities in the country. "Lousy roads, scarce and unconnected bike lanes, and bike-friendly gestures from City Hall that go nowhere" are just a few of Bicycling Magazine's harshly critical comments in naming Boston... More

Massachusetts just says ‘no’ to those who deal drugs

 david.frank at exhibitAnews.com More so than for any other crime in Massachusetts, the state’s drug laws are among the toughest in the country — particularly for those convicted of dealing or “trafficking” drugs in large quantities. Whether the substance of choice is marijuana, cocaine or heroin, an offender convicted of selling such drugs can expect to face a lengthy mandatory jail sentence. The exact number of years one spends behind bars depends in large part on the... More

Should marijuana be legalized for medicinal purposes?

"Yes. In fact, marijuana should be legalized in general. Cigarettes are far more addictive — and worse for your health." — Erin Madden - Arlington   "If it actually works for medicinal purposes, [then] it should be legalized." — Michael Duffy - Dalton "Yes. I've had friends die of cancer, and it helped a lot. They had to buy the marijuana off the street. It would be safer and cheaper if the sick could buy it legally. It's stupid to have the... More

How To … beat a speeding ticket

noah.schaffer@exhibitAnews.com   We drivers have all been there at one time or another. You're cruising along a relatively empty Mass. Turnpike, talking to a friend with the radio on in the background, when suddenly you see flashing lights in the rearview mirror. You look down at the speedometer and suddenly start sweating. You were doing 86 in a 65 mph zone. Several tense minutes later, your car stopped in the far-right lane, the "Statie" returns with a ticket: $100, if you're... More

Legal Briefs

  Officer nabbed for indecent proposal A Boston police officer found himself on the wrong side of the law after threatening to arrest a prostitute if she did not perform a sex act. Federal prosecutors said that in 2004, Michael LoPriore, 37, of Everett approached a prostitute in Boston, flashed his badge and drove her in his own car to Quincy, where he made the improper request. LoPriore was off duty at the time. Under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, LoPriore pleaded guilty to violating... More

Contamination case in Woburn catches Hollywood’s attention

When an unusually large number of residents from the same area in Woburn were diagnosed with cancer in the 1970s, some suspected two local corporations were to blame for letting chemicals seep into nearby wells. But W.R. Grace and Beatrice Foods denied that they had made these people sick in Anderson, et al. v. W.R. Grace & Co., et al. Before the story of the case and the Boston attorney who took it on became a best seller and a movie — "A Civil Action," starring John Travolta... More

Judge William G. Young

If you've heard of "shoe bomber" Richard Reid, then chances are the name William G. Young also rings a bell. Young is the U.S. District Court judge in Boston whose anti-terrorist tirade at Reid's sentencing in 2003 made him an instant patriot in the eyes of many. A decidedly more subdued Young recently spoke with Exhibit A's Jason Scally about Reid and about some of his regrets as a federal judge since 1985 and as a state Superior Court judge before that.   Q. Did it feel... More

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