My question involves defamation in the state of: Massachusetts
I was recently brought to court by a former roommate. She claimed that items on her desk were broken and money stolen from her. I was charged with felony malicious destruction of property and larceny under $250. I really wanted to be found not guilty at trial because I never stole anything from the girl and I know she lied and manipulated the situation. I was offered a deal of pretrial probation. If I pay $350 my plea of not guilty will be accepted and the case dismissed.
I was wondering if I could sue her for malicious prosecution. I had money and prescription medication stole from the same room around the same time. The police never asked me about the situation. Based on her word they assumed I victimized her. We would always leave our door unlocked, but she claims it was locked at the time, I know it was not. I asked her if she took my money, she said no and that she didn't have any money. Then, the next day she said I stole $80 from her. She is a person who goes by a fake name. She would lie about where she was from, and almost everything else.
The $350 dollars that I need to pay the court will go to her for two broken mugs, a pair of glasses and the alleged $80. She said the mugs cost $80 and the glasses cost the rest. There are pictures of the broken items, but I do not think the items were collected as evidence. The glasses do not even look broken in the photo and are sitting on top of the desk. A glass mugs looks broken in two pieces, like it could be glued back together. Stuff looks moved around by the police and the value of the items was way exaggerated to raise the charges against me to a felony.
Can I sue this girl for lying on sworn statement that caused charges to be brought against me? I was not found innocent, but is not guilty good enough? If so, how do I sue a person and how expensive is it?
Also, the director of my building said in sworn statements that I had 5 roommates. This is not true at all, and can be proven. The case is not dismissed yet, but when it is can I sue?

