Child Molestation Attorney In Boston

Confidential Defense For Life‑Changing Allegations

If you or someone you love has been accused of a child-related sex offense in Massachusetts, you are facing one of the most serious situations in the criminal justice system. The risk of prison, lifetime sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your reputation can feel overwhelming.

I defend people who are under investigation or charged with these offenses in Boston and across the Commonwealth. As a criminal defense lawyer and former state and federal prosecutor, I understand how quickly these cases move and how much is at stake from the very first contact with police or the Department of Children and Families. For five decades, I have tried serious criminal cases in superior courts and in the federal courthouse in Boston. I bring that experience to every client who trusts me with a child molestation case.

I offer free, confidential consultations in person, virtually, and at any hour when urgent issues arise. You can reach Brad Bailey Law at (617) 500-0252 to discuss your situation privately.

Why My Background Matters In These Cases

When you are accused of harming a child, you need more than a general criminal lawyer. You need someone who understands how these cases are built from the inside. Before I began defending clients, I served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, one of the nation’s busiest prosecutors’ offices, and as an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County.

I then served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, first with the Organized Crime Strike Force and later with the Drug Task Force. That work in Boston federal court gave me a detailed view of how investigators, agents, and prosecutors assemble serious cases and present them to juries.

Over the course of my career, I have handled thousands of serious criminal matters and tried more than 100 cases in superior and federal courts. I have never lost a federal trial. When I stand up for a client accused of child molestation, I draw on that trial experience to challenge the government’s evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and present the strongest defense the facts allow.

My background is supported by independent recognition. I studied at Harvard College and the University of Virginia School of Law, and I have been selected to Super Lawyers across multiple years. I hold a 10.0 “Superb” Avvo rating and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell, and I have been named a National Top 100 Trial Lawyer. These are not guarantees of any future result, but they do reflect how peers and others in the legal community view my work.

In every case, my goal is to combine that experience with careful, individualized attention. No two child molestation cases are the same. I work to understand the specific allegations, the history between you and the complainant, any digital or forensic evidence, and your priorities for moving forward. From there, I design a defense strategy that fits your situation rather than forcing you into a single approach.

Facing Child Molestation Charges In Massachusetts

Child molestation is not the name of a single statute in Massachusetts, but it is a phrase often used to describe a range of offenses involving alleged sexual conduct with someone under the age of consent. These can include indecent assault and battery on a child, statutory rape, and other charges involving alleged contact or exploitation. The specific charge depends on the age of the complainant, the nature of the conduct, and other factors.

Potential penalties in this area are severe. Depending on the charge, a conviction can expose you to years in state prison, lengthy probation, strict conditions on contact with minors, and registration as a sex offender. Registration can affect where you live and work, and it can follow you long after a sentence ends. Exact penalties depend on the statute involved, any prior record, and the judge who ultimately sentences the case if there is a conviction.

Many cases begin with a report to local police or to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. That report might come from a school, a medical provider, a family member, or someone else. Police and DCF investigators then decide whether to interview the child, other witnesses, and you. If the case moves forward, an arraignment is usually scheduled in a court that has jurisdiction where the alleged conduct occurred. For people in this area, that might be Boston Municipal Court, Suffolk Superior Court, or a court in Middlesex County.

In some situations, especially where there is alleged online conduct across state lines or other federal interests, there may be an investigation or charges in the U.S. District Court in Boston. I know that court well and am respected by its judges and clerks. Whether a case remains in state court or involves federal authorities, the point to remember is that an allegation is not a conviction. There are many stages at which a strong defense can influence what happens next.

Throughout this process, you may feel that everyone has already made up their minds. The law, however, still requires the prosecution to prove each element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. My role is to hold the government to that burden, to insist that your rights are respected in Boston and across Massachusetts, and to push back against weak or unfair accusations.

What To Do If You Are Accused

The moments and days after learning of a child molestation allegation are critical. Many people feel an understandable urge to “clear things up” by talking to police, DCF, or even the accuser. That impulse can be used against you. Anything you say can be repeated in court, sometimes in a way that takes your words out of context.

If a detective, uniformed officer, or social worker asks to speak with you about an allegation involving a child, you have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Exercising those rights does not make you look guilty. It simply protects you while you get advice from someone who is focused on your interests. I recommend that you speak with a lawyer before answering questions about the facts.

It is also important not to contact the complainant or potential witnesses on your own, even if you feel you have been falsely accused. Courts often issue no-contact orders, and any communication can be misunderstood or presented as intimidation. Instead, let your attorney address those issues through proper channels.

At the same time, do not destroy or alter any potential evidence. Text messages, emails, social media posts, and other records can be important in establishing what really happened. Deleting them can sometimes create more problems than it solves. Preserve what you have and bring it to your lawyer so it can be reviewed carefully.

If you learn that you are under investigation or have already been charged, these immediate steps can help protect you:

• Do not discuss the facts of the case with police, DCF, or anyone else without counsel.
• Avoid any direct or indirect contact with the complainant or their family.
• Preserve potential evidence, including messages, emails, and relevant documents.
• Write down key details while your memory is fresh, and keep that note private.

I am available around the clock for urgent situations and offer virtual consultations for clients who prefer or require that format. When you call, I focus on immediate concerns first, such as upcoming interviews or court dates, then we move into a more detailed review of the case.

How I Approach Child Molestation Defense

When I take on a child molestation case, my priority is to listen. I meet with you in a confidential setting, whether in my office or virtually, so that you can tell me what has happened in your own words. I review the complaint, police reports, any DCF materials, and available discovery to understand how the government is framing the case.

My years as a prosecutor have helped me evaluate the strength of evidence with a critical eye. I look closely at how and when the child was interviewed, whether proper procedures were followed, and whether questions may have been suggestive. I assess statements from other witnesses, examine forensic or medical reports where they exist, and consider digital evidence such as messages or online records. Identifying inconsistencies, gaps, and alternative explanations is a key part of building a defense.

Over five decades, I have handled thousands of serious criminal cases in Massachusetts courts and in the federal system. That experience informs my judgment about when it may be appropriate to negotiate, when to file motions to suppress or exclude evidence, and when to prepare for trial. Some cases resolve before trial, for example, through dismissal or a negotiated plea, while others are best presented to a jury. My role is to give you straightforward advice about the options and to respect your decisions.

I also recognize that these cases affect far more than a docket number. They can touch your employment, professional licenses, housing, immigration status, and your relationships with your own children or relatives. I work to account for those collateral issues when developing a strategy, whether the case is in Suffolk Superior Court, Boston Municipal Court, another Massachusetts court, or in federal court in Boston.

Throughout the process, I aim to provide clear communication. I explain what to expect at each hearing, what filings mean, and how long different steps might take. My goal is to reduce the uncertainty wherever I can and to make sure you are never left wondering what is happening in your own case. If you are looking for a child molestation lawyer in Boston who combines seasoned trial work with careful, individual attention, I invite you to contact my office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I talk to the police before I have a lawyer?

It is almost always safer to speak with a lawyer first. Anything you say to police or DCF can be used against you later, even if you are trying to help. I can review the situation, advise you about your rights, and be present if you decide to answer questions.

What penalties could I face for child molestation in Massachusetts?

Penalties vary based on the exact charge, the age of the complainant, and your record. They can include state prison, probation, strict conditions, and sex offender registration. I review the statutes and sentencing practices that apply to your specific case and explain realistic ranges, not promises.

How does your experience as a former prosecutor help me?

My years as a prosecutor in Manhattan, Middlesex County, and in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston taught me how the government investigates and tries serious cases. I use that insight to anticipate strategies, challenge weaknesses in the evidence, and negotiate from a position informed by both sides of the courtroom.

Will our conversations be confidential and without judgment?

Yes. Communications between an attorney and a client are protected by confidentiality rules. I take that duty very seriously. My role is not to judge you. My role is to protect your rights, explain your options, and work to achieve the best outcome the facts and law allow.

What will happen at my first court date in Boston?

At an arraignment in Boston Municipal Court or Suffolk Superior Court, the charge is read, you enter a plea, and bail or release conditions are addressed. I speak on your behalf, argue for fair terms, and start setting a plan for the next steps in your case.

Take The Next Step Toward Your Defense

You do not have to face a child molestation accusation alone. Speaking with an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you understand what lies ahead, what choices you have, and how to avoid missteps that could hurt your case. A confidential consultation is often the first step toward regaining some control in a frightening situation.

As a former state and federal prosecutor with decades in Massachusetts courts, I bring a combination of trial experience, local knowledge, and careful, individual attention to every child sex case I accept. I offer free consultations, virtual meetings when needed, and I am available 24 hours a day for urgent matters, so it is easier to get guidance when you need it most. If you are looking for a child molestation attorney in Boston to defend you here, I encourage you to reach out so that we can talk about your specific situation in private.

Call (617) 500-0252 now for a confidential consultation with Brad Bailey Law. Contact Brad Bailey Law to discuss your next steps.