Worcester County Courthouses

Worcester County courthouses work much differently than the courts in any other county in Massachusetts do, and it is important to find a lawyer who is familiar with your type of case and the know-how of how that case will be handled in Worcester County.

From our downtown Worcester law office, The Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group is comprised of experienced and aggressive attorneys who handle tough criminal cases - DUI and OUI cases, drug and narcotics cases, guns and weapons charges, domestic violence, carjacking, white collar crimes, theft crimes, and juvenile offenses.  Our attorneys are in and out of the different Worcester County criminal sessions on a non-stop basis. 

Criminal cases heard by the Worcester District Courts include motor vehicle offenses, most misdemeanors, and felony crimes punishable by up to five years in the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction in West Boylston.  The Worcester Superior Court handles criminal cases that are considered serious felonies or have a possible sentence of more than five years.

Worcester is Busy
With Drunk Driving!

Interestingly enough, representing OUI (Operating Under the Influence) and DUI (Driving Under the Influence) matters is a big portion of our Worcester caseload.  The majority of our clients are pulled-over, charged, and arrested in Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Shrewsbury, Sturbridge, Sutton, Webster, and West Boylston. 

Law enforcement's "favorite hideouts" tend to be on Highway 395, Route 9, Route 12, Route 20, Route 70, Route 122, Route 146, Route 190, Route 290, and in areas around the DCU Center, Mechanics Hall, The Palladium, & Greendale Mall. 

Massachusetts treats underage drivers who have been charged with OUI harshly.  Given the large number of college students in Central Massachusetts, our clientele come mostly from Holy Cross, WPI, Clark University, Assumption College, & Worcester State College.  Learn more about drunk driving cases in Worcester County by going to our sister firm, The Worcester DUI Defense Group.

Don't Go to Court Alone -
Call One of Our Criminal Defense Attorneys!

When you walk into a district courtroom for your criminal arraignment in Worcester County, the first thing that happens is that the clerk reads the case number and announces that it's the Commonwealth of Massachusetts versus YOU.

This is true whether your case is in the Clinton District Court, Dudley District Court, East Brookfield District Court, Fitchburg District Court, Gardner District Court, Leominster District Court, Milford District Court, Orange District Court, Uxbridge District Court,

Westborough District Court, or the Worcester District Court.  To learn more about the different Worcester County criminal courthouses, go here.

You'll feel alone, scared, and understandably so.  After all, you're up against prosecutors who only care about getting a conviction and moving cases along.  The police have been trained in filling-out police reports and they go to school to learn how to testify in court.  There's also the judge, who cares about clearing his or her own caseload.

Without an attorney, the deck is stacked against you.  The Worcester County District Attorney's office is the prosecuting agency for all criminal cases, and District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. has an endless amount of resources - financial and otherwise - to obtain evidence and to support the Commonwealth's version of your criminal case.  District Attorney Early oversees a law office of more than 80 prosecutors, the operation of 11 District Courts, Superior Court, Juvenile Court, three six-member jury sessions, the grand jury and an appeals division. 

Notwithstanding the Worcester Superior Court's low 34% conviction rate in 2009, representing yourself is a grave mistake.  If the Assistant District Attorney offers you a deal , how will you even know if it is fair?  And if you don't like the offer, what position are you in to do anything about it?  On the other hand, an experienced Worcester Criminal Defense Attorney can stand up to the D.A.'s office, advocate on your behalf, and bring forth as many motions as it takes to adequately prepare your defense for trial.

Schedule a FREE Consultation With Our Criminal Defense Attorneys

To level the playing field, you should retain experienced and aggressive legal representation from The Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group.  Managing Attorney Maria Rivera-Ortiz and her team have a record of success in getting real results for Worcester clients facing criminal charges.  Given that our team is comprised of former prosecutors from the District Attorney's Office, our attorneys assess a case, anticipate and counter the prosecutor's moves, and then fashion a defense strategy tailored to fit each case and each client's needs. 

Contact us in Worcester at (800) 461-6900 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

Our lawyers are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day - we're armed with Blackberries and state-of-the-art technology.  Contact us for representation in any of the district courts or at the Worcester County Superior Court located at 225 Main Street in Worcester - just down the street from our local criminal law office.

When you meet with your attorney, please provide him or her with as much information pertaining to your arrest - the police report (if you can get one), records of prior arrests or convictions, dates and times of future appearances and your bail papers.