Massachusetts Criminal Courts:
Aggressive and Experienced Criminal Lawyers
With 30+ Years Courthouse Experience
The Law Offices of The Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group are conveniently located in Woburn, Massachusetts, Worcester, Springfield, Norwood, and Plymouth. Our criminal defense attorneys, made up of law professors and Assistant District Attorneys, practice all types of crimes.
There are close to 100 criminal courtrooms across Massachusetts. Because each courthouse operates slightly differently than the others, there is something to be said for our firm being structured where our attorneys are assigned to specific courthouses so that he or she is a familiar face to the Court Officers, Assistant District Attorneys, and Judges.
Learn more about the nuances of the different courts in the following counties:
For example, our Worcester lawyers may know the likely viewpoints and opinions of the Judge assigned to their case in the Dudley District Court. Our North Shore criminal attorneys may have built a reputation of credibility in the Salem District Court so that pre-trial negotiations may be smoother and more productive. On the Cape, familiarity with a specific Judge may enable us to make arguments in keeping with that Judge's attitude. Similarly, our familiarity with the Boston Municipal Court system enables us to avoid making certain arguments in Suffolk County.
Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorneys
Available 24 Hours a Day, Every Day!
Our attorneys drive a combined distance of over 250,000 miles a year - with their Blackberries right at their sides - texting, e-mailing, talking with and defending clients across Massachusetts.
No matter where you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a criminal offense, we handle all types of cases, including:
- Operating Under the Influence (OUI), and other drunk driving charges related to Melanie's Law
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Crimes against the person, including Assault and Battery (A&B), Domestic Violence, Harassment & Stalking, and 209A Restraining Orders
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Drug crimes, including possession, intent to distribute, drug trafficking, prescription drugs, and school zone-related charges
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Theft crimes, including larceny, receiving stolen property, and shoplifting
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Violent crimes, including burglary, carjacking, and robbery
In addition to defending clients against criminal charges throughout Massachusetts, our attorneys also represent clients at RMV Hearings, Probation Violation Hearings, Clerk Magistrate Hearings, and at motion sessions relating to a client's attempt to erase prior criminal convictions through a petition to seal his or her record.
Call (800) 461-6900 or contact us online for a no-obligation consultation.
An Insight Into
The Massachusetts Court System
The Massachusetts Trial Court System, as it relates to criminal matters, is organized on four levels: the (1) Superior Court Department, (2) District Court Department, (3) Boston Municipal Court Department, and (4) Juvenile Court Department.
The Superior Court Department, led by Chief Justice Barbara J. Rouse, has 81 Associate Justices amongst its 14 Divisions (by county). Cases will either be before a judge or a jury, and this is where serious criminal cases - such as felonies - are heard. The Court also hears certain administrative matters, such as bail reviews.
Chief Justice Lynda M. Connolly resides over the District Court Department. The District Court's power (referred to as "jurisdiction") extends to misdemeanors and crimes that carry penalties of less than 5 years imprisonment. Jury trials are offered for criminal cases, although most cases here are heard before a judge (bench trials). There are 157 Justices who hear matters in the 62 different district courts across the Commonwealth. The District Court also hears certain specialized proceedings such as 209A abuse prevention Restraining Orders and appeals from certain administrative agencies, such as firearm licenses.
Carrying a role much like the District Court Department, the Boston Municipal Court has jurisdiction of Suffolk County criminal cases that do not require a prison sentence. It also conducts probable cause hearings in matters when there is a likelihood that charges may be filed in the Superior Court by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. Chief Justice Charles R. Johnson presides, and 29 Associate Justices hear cases in the eight divisions - Brighton, Central, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury, South Boston, and West Roxbury.
The Juvenile Court Department has 11 Divisions, 40 Associate Justices preside over cases, and each supervises delinquency matters, and youthful offenders.