Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

Summons Help
I recieved a summons that reads

''Hereby commands and summons

---

to appear before the Department of the Trial Court for the Transaction of Criminal Business, at the District Attorney's Witness Reception Area ...

...Then and there to give evidence of what he/she knows in the case of....''

I am the 'victim', and I want the charges to be dropped. It is the commonwealth prosecuting. The DA told me that all I had to do was show up, tell them that I do not wish to further the charges, and the case would be dismissed based on lack of evidence. I want to know what to expect from a summons like this, where it says that I only have to show up to that department, and not the courtroom. If the DA told me that, can I trust that to be the case? What are my rights as far as declining to give testimony or ''not furthering the charges''?

Asked on 2/27/07, 5:34 pm

henry lebensbaum Law Offices of Henry Lebensbaum (978-749-3606)

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Re: Summons Help

This is a typical summons that parties to an action use to get people to come in and testify.

I cannot and no one can tell you not to honor the summons. If some one were to tell you that, it could be an obstruction of justice.

The only other suggestion I have is for you to contact the Defendant's attorney.

Answered on 2/27/07, 5:41 pm

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