Child Molestation Attorney in Boston

Confidential Defense for Child-Related Sexual Allegations

I defend people who are under investigation or charged with child-related sex offenses in Boston and across Massachusetts. The phrase child molestation doesn’t identify a single Massachusetts crime. It can refer to several possible charges, and the specific allegation may remain unclear while police or the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families investigate.

Early legal advice matters when you’re facing questions from investigators, possible arrest, release conditions, no-contact restrictions, or demands involving your phone and other digital evidence. As a criminal defense lawyer and former state and federal prosecutor, I understand how quickly these cases can develop. For five decades, I have tried serious criminal cases in superior courts and in the federal courthouse in Boston, and I bring that experience to every client who trusts me with these allegations.

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

Prosecutorial & Trial Experience in Serious Criminal Cases

When you’re accused of harming a child, you need a lawyer 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. I also served as Middlesex County Sheriff from 1995 through 1996.

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. When I stand up for a client accused of a child-related sexual offense, I draw on that trial experience to challenge the government’s evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and present a defense grounded in the facts.

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 in 2004, 2006 through 2007, and 2014 through 2025. 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 recognitions don’t guarantee any future result.

I combine that experience with careful, individualized attention. No two 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.

Child Molestation Charges & Consequences in Massachusetts

Child molestation isn’t the name of a single statute in Massachusetts. It’s a phrase often used for allegations that could lead to charges such as indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, rape and abuse of a child, aggravated forms of child rape or abuse, enticing a child under 16, or certain child-exploitation offenses. These categories don’t carry identical elements or penalties.

For example, Massachusetts General Laws chapter 265, section 13B addresses indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. Other statutes govern rape and abuse of a child or alleged exploitation involving images and online conduct. The applicable charge depends on facts that may include the complainant’s age, the alleged conduct, the relationship between the parties, and how the evidence was obtained.

These allegations can also be related to a statutory rape investigation, but the language people use outside court doesn’t determine the criminal charge. I examine the actual statute, each element the prosecution must prove, and the evidence offered in support of those elements.

A conviction or adjudication may result in imprisonment, probation, contact restrictions, and sex-offender registration, depending on the offense and applicable law. Registration obligations can involve the Sex Offender Registry Board, which classifies registrants as Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 based on assessed risk of reoffense and degree of danger to the public. Whether registration applies, how classification occurs, and how long an obligation continues depend on the specific offense, procedural history, and governing registration law.

Consequences may extend beyond the sentence imposed by a court. A case can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, immigration status, and family relationships. The actual exposure depends on the charged statute, the person’s prior record, the procedural posture, and the facts found through a plea or trial.

DCF Investigations & Criminal Proceedings in Boston

Many cases begin with a report to local police or the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Massachusetts DCF evaluates reports of suspected child abuse or neglect and determines what child-safety response may be appropriate. A DCF inquiry and a criminal investigation are distinct proceedings, although information developed in one may become relevant to the other.

DCF Investigation Process

A report might come from a school, medical provider, family member, or another mandated or voluntary reporter. Police and DCF investigators may seek interviews with the child, other witnesses, and the accused person. Because an interview can affect both proceedings, I advise clients about their rights and the potential consequences before they answer substantive questions.

State & Federal Court Process

If criminal charges move forward, the correct court depends on the alleged conduct, location, and charging statute. Boston Municipal Court generally handles arraignments, bail issues, and many pretrial matters within its jurisdiction, while Suffolk Superior Court has jurisdiction over serious felony matters. Cases arising elsewhere in Massachusetts may proceed in another district or superior court.

Alleged online conduct, interstate activity, or another federal interest may bring a case within federal court, including the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. I know the federal courthouse in Boston well and am respected by its judges and clerks. Whether a case remains in state court or involves federal authorities, an allegation, investigation, charge, and conviction aren’t the same thing.

The prosecution must prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. My role is to hold the government to that burden, insist that your constitutional rights are respected, and identify weaknesses in the evidence at each stage of the case.

What to Do After an Accusation or Investigation

Many people feel an understandable urge to “clear things up” by talking to police, DCF, or even the accuser after learning of a child-related sexual allegation. 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.

Speaking with Investigators & Preserving Evidence

If a detective, uniformed officer, or social worker asks to speak with you about an allegation involving a child, you may have the right to remain silent and to consult counsel before answering substantive questions. Exercising those rights protects you while you get advice from someone focused on your interests. I recommend that you speak with a lawyer before answering questions about the facts.

Don’t 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. If an order is in place, follow its terms strictly and let me address necessary issues through proper channels.

At the same time, don’t destroy, edit, or alter potential evidence. Text messages, emails, social media records, photographs, documents, and device data may become important to the case. Preserve the material in its existing form so it can be reviewed for context, authenticity, and relevance.

Immediate Steps & Urgent Consultation

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

• Don’t discuss the facts with police, DCF, or other people before obtaining legal advice.
• Avoid direct or indirect contact with the complainant, potential witnesses, or their families.
• Preserve messages, emails, photographs, documents, and relevant device data.
• Write down key facts while your memory is fresh and keep the notes confidential for counsel.
• Gather information about interviews, court dates, release conditions, and any orders already issued.

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 an upcoming interview, arrest risk, or court date. I then move into a more detailed review of the allegations and available evidence.

How I Build a Child Molestation Defense

When I take on such a case, my priority is to listen. I meet with you privately, in my office or virtually, so that you can tell me what has happened in your own words. I review the complaint, police reports, DCF materials, available discovery, witness statements, and other records to understand how investigators and prosecutors are framing the case.

Reviewing the Evidence

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.

The review may also address the timing of a disclosure, inconsistencies between accounts, possible corroboration, alternative explanations, and the relationship between the parties. For physical or digital material, I consider chain of custody, authentication, context, and admissibility. Evidence that appears significant in isolation may have a different meaning when tested against the elements of the actual charge.

Strategy & Communication

My state and federal trial experience informs my judgment about when it may be appropriate to negotiate, when to file pretrial motions to suppress or exclude evidence, and when to prepare for trial. Some matters may be resolved before trial, while others may need to be presented to a jury. My role is to give you straightforward advice about the available options and 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 relationships with your own children or relatives. I 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.

I explain what to expect at each hearing, what filings mean, and which decisions may arise during investigation, arraignment, discovery, motion practice, plea discussions, or trial. If you’re 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 Police or DCF Without a Lawyer?

It’s generally safer to speak with a lawyer first. Anything you say to police or DCF may affect a criminal case, a DCF proceeding, or both. I can review the situation, advise you about your rights, and discuss whether and how to respond to an interview request.

What Charges Can Child Molestation Refer To?

It may refer to indecent assault and battery on a child, rape and abuse of a child, enticing a child, or certain exploitation offenses. Massachusetts doesn’t use child molestation as the name of one statute. The exact charge depends on the alleged conduct, age of the complainant, jurisdiction, and evidence.

What Penalties or Registration Consequences Could Apply?

Potential consequences depend on the charged statute, criminal history, case resolution, and applicable registration law. They may include incarceration, probation, contact restrictions, or Sex Offender Registry Board proceedings. I review the law that applies to the specific charge and explain the exposure without promising a result.

Can You Help Before Charges Are Filed?

Yes. I can advise you during an investigation, address requests for police or DCF interviews, preserve relevant information, and assess immediate arrest or court concerns. Early representation may also allow important legal and evidentiary issues to be identified before an arraignment.

What Should I Do About a No-Contact Order?

Follow every term of the order, including restrictions on indirect or electronic communication. Don’t ask another person to deliver a message. I can review the order, explain its scope, and determine whether an appropriate request should be made through the court.

What Happens at My First Boston Court Date?

At an arraignment in Boston Municipal Court or Suffolk Superior Court, the charge is formally presented, a plea is entered, and bail or release conditions may be addressed. The exact procedure depends on the court and charge. I can speak on your behalf and explain the next scheduled steps.

How Does Your Prosecutorial Experience Help?

My work in Manhattan, Middlesex County, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston taught me how investigators and prosecutors evaluate and present serious cases. I use that perspective to assess the evidence, anticipate arguments, identify weaknesses, and prepare for negotiations, motions, or trial.

Will Our Conversations Be Confidential & Without Judgment?

Yes. Attorney-client confidentiality generally protects qualifying private communications made for legal advice. I take that duty seriously. My role isn’t to judge you. It’s to protect your rights, explain your options, and pursue a strategy grounded in the facts and law.

Get a Confidential Assessment of Your Case

A consultation can help you understand the possible charge, the next procedural step, and the immediate decisions that require attention. I can assess whether police, DCF, a state court, or federal authorities are involved and explain what information is needed for an initial defense review.

I offer free consultations in person or virtually, with 24-hour availability for urgent matters involving serious criminal allegations in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. As a child molestation attorney in Boston, I provide individualized advice based on the actual allegations, evidence, and procedural posture rather than assumptions about the case.

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