Violent Crime Attorney in Cambridge

Violent Crime Charges I Defend in Cambridge

Violent crime allegations can arise from a physical confrontation, an alleged threat, or conduct resulting in death. I represent clients charged with violent felonies at the state and federal levels.

My violent crime defense practice includes:

• Assault and assault and battery
• Armed robbery and home invasion
• Kidnapping, extortion, and arson
• Firearm possession
• Murder in the first or second degree
• Voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter
• Other murder allegations

I also handle Accessory Before the Fact allegations, which accuse someone of helping, encouraging, hiring, or directing another person to commit a felony before it occurs. Armed Career Criminal cases involve a sentencing designation tied to qualifying prior convictions and a firearm charge. Both require close analysis of the allegations and the legal basis for the charge or designation.

My past case results include a Not Guilty verdict in a forcible rape jury trial and a Not Guilty verdict in a federal jury trial involving the arson of an occupied dwelling and a bomb incendiary device. I also obtained a new trial order that reversed a Murder 1 verdict. These prior results don’t promise what may happen in another case.

The Cambridge Criminal Court Process

Cambridge District Court generally handles local misdemeanor cases, felony arraignments, and bail hearings. At arraignment, the charge is formally presented and a plea is entered. A bail hearing determines whether the defendant will be released while the case is pending and what conditions may apply.

Massachusetts district courts hear misdemeanors and felony cases carrying up to five years of potential incarceration. The route depends on the charged offense and how the prosecution proceeds, and no single timeline applies to every arraignment or violent felony case.

Charges beyond District Court sentencing jurisdiction proceed in the applicable Massachusetts Superior Court. Superior Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over murder in the first degree, so those prosecutions begin at that court level. Other serious felonies may also move from District Court proceedings into Superior Court.

How I Build a Defense from the Evidence

I begin by examining the allegations and the evidence the prosecution intends to use. I gather and evaluate materials such as surveillance footage, medical records, and information from alibi witnesses, comparing them with police reports, witness accounts, and the prosecution’s theory.

When technical analysis is necessary, I consult independent professionals in fields such as ballistics, use of force, and mental health. Their involvement depends on the issues relevant to the charge. I develop the investigative approach around the facts rather than applying the same theory to every assault, firearm, arson, or homicide case.

My former prosecutorial experience informs how I assess both sides of the justice system. I examine the elements the government must prove, the reliability of its evidence, and the factual or legal issues that may be contested. I also consider whether the circumstances favor a negotiated resolution or a contested trial while advising the client about the choices involved.

Potential Penalties Under Massachusetts Law

The potential consequences depend on the charge, alleged facts, prior criminal history, and aggravating factors. For example, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 13A identifies penalties of up to 2½ years in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 for assault or assault and battery.

Different or harsher provisions may apply when allegations involve:

• A family or household member
• A public employee
• Serious bodily injury
• A pregnant woman
• A child under 14
• An elderly or disabled person

Robbery penalties also depend on how the offense is charged. Under Chapter 265, Section 17, armed robbery may be punished by state-prison incarceration for life or a term of years. Specified circumstances involving a mask or firearm can carry mandatory minimum sentences. Under Section 19, unarmed robbery may also be punished by life or a term of years, but the statute doesn’t impose a mandatory minimum for a first offense.

Murder is codified under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 1. The degree of a murder charge, or whether the allegation instead involves manslaughter, affects the required legal elements and potential punishment. A violent crime attorney serving Cambridge can evaluate the statute actually charged rather than treating every serious allegation as legally identical.

Discuss the Charge in a Free Consultation

I offer free consultations for defendants and family members who want clear information about a pending violent crime case. Virtual consultations are available, and you can use the contact form to request a conversation without traveling.

Call (617) 500-0252 to discuss the allegations and the defense decisions ahead.