Area of Expertise

Drug Crimes:A drug is any biological substance that is consumed for non-dietary or non-medical purposes. In the United States., drugs are categorized as legal or illegal. Illegal drugs include, but are not limited to: marijuana, heroin, cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy, or unauthorized prescription drugs like Vicodin. State and federal statues strictly prohibit the use, manufacture, or distribution of all illegal drugs. If a person uses, sells, possesses, or manufactures an illegal drug, he/she can be charged with a drug crime.

involve financially motivated, non-violent offenses typically committed by business and government professionals. 
 These crimes include fraud, embezzlement, securities fraud, tax evasion, healthcare fraud, and public corruption, often resulting in significant financial losses and damage to public trust

OUI (Operating Under the Influence) is the official legal term for what other states call DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). The terms are used interchangeably and refer to the same offense: operating any type of motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft on a public way or place accessible to the public while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other impairing substances.

Assault and battery are distinct but related criminal offenses under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 13A.

Assault is defined as an attempt or threat to cause harmful or offensive contact with another person, creating a reasonable fear of imminent harm. No physical contact is required. For example, raising a fist in a threatening manner or throwing a punch that misses can constitute assault.
Battery refers to the actual, intentional, and unwanted physical contact with another person, even if minimal (e.g., a push, slap, or touch), that is harmful or offensive. The contact must be intentional and without the victim’s consent.

Burglary in Massachusetts is defined under M.G.L.  c. 266, § 14 as breaking and entering a dwelling house at nighttime with the intent to commit a felony.  The term “dwelling house” refers to a place where a person regularly sleeps or lives. “Nighttime” is defined as one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. The crime does not require actual force against a person—breaking can be as minimal as opening an unlocked door or window—and entry can be partial (e.g., reaching in with a hand or tool).

Domestic violence law (Chapter 209A) provides legal protections for victims of abuse through civil restraining orders and criminal penalties for abusive acts. It defines domestic violence as physical harm, attempts to cause harm, placing someone in fear of imminent serious physical harm, involuntary sexual relations, and coercive control—a pattern of manipulation, intimidation, or domination that undermines a person’s autonomy, which became effective September 18, 2024.

Juvenile crime establishes a distinct system focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment for youth under 18. Juveniles aged 7 to 17 are generally subject to juvenile court jurisdiction for violations of city ordinances, state laws, or felonies and misdemeanors. The Juvenile Delinquency Code (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119, §§ 52–84) governs this process, emphasizing the principle that juveniles are “children in need of aid, encouragement, and guidance” rather than criminals.

Cybercrime covers a broad range of offenses involving computers, networks, and digital communication. 
 Key crimes include hacking, identity theft, phishing, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, copyright infringement, child pornography, and unauthorized access to computer systems.

Massachusetts law defines sex crimes broadly, encompassing non-consensual sexual acts, offenses against minors, and related predatory behaviors. Key offenses include rape, statutory rape, child molestation, indecent assault and battery, and sex trafficking.

Massachusetts law provides significant protections and rights for immigrants, including those without legal status

Expungement; permanently destroys a criminal record, making it as if the offense never occurred.  It removes the record from all state and federal databases, and individuals can legally claim they were never arrested or convicted. Expungement is available only for specific, limited cases, such as non-convictions, certain juvenile records, or when the offense occurred before age 21, and requires a court hearing. It is not available for crimes involving death, serious injury, weapons, sex offenses, domestic violence, or drug-related offenses. 

Sealing restricts access to a criminal record, making it invisible in most background checks.  Once sealed, your CORI will read “No record,” and you may truthfully answer “no” to questions about a criminal history. Sealing is available for adult misdemeanor convictions after 3 years from the end of the sentence, felony convictions after 7 years, and sex offenses after 15 years, provided there are no new convictions.  Juvenile records can be sealed after 3 years.  Sealing is done administratively through the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, with no hearing required for eligible cases. 

Post-Conviction Relief is a legal process allowing individuals convicted of crimes to challenge their conviction or sentence after the direct appeal process is complete