October 21, 2014
- Steven Topazio wrote this May 10, 2015 at 3:56 pm
The client, a 54 year homemaker, hired Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer Steven J. Topazio after she was summonsed to court for an arraignment for threats, annoying phone calls, and witness intimidation. The client also received an application for the issuance of a 258E Harassment Restraining Order. According to police reports, the client repeatedly called and harassed her neighbor, allegedly while intoxicated, and threatened to kill them, then threatened her neighbor for bringing charges against her. Attorney Topazio discovered that these long time neighbors were once friends, living in the same housing complex, were now engaged in a long running dispute. Attorney Topazio initially appeared in court in defense of his client on the hearing for the issuance of a 258E Restraining Order. 258E Harassment Prevention Orders require that the plaintiff establish proof of three or more acts of wilful and malicious conduct aimed at the plaintiff committed with the intent to cause fear, intimidation, abuse or damage to property and that does in fact cause fear, intimidation, abuse or damage to property. Attorney Topazio persuaded the court that the plaintiff did not meet her burden of proof and the Harassment Order was denied. Today, Attorney Topazio persuaded the court to dismiss the felony Witness intimidation charge against his client, by agreeing to a continuance without a finding CWOF on the misdemeanor threat and annoying phone call charges, with a condition that his client keeps the peace so long as she and the complainant remain neighbors and the court agreed.