Criminal Defense Attorneys in Boston, MA

Charged with OUI, drug possession, or assault in Boston? A Massachusetts-licensed criminal defense attorney who knows Suffolk County courts will review your charges for free and keep the conversation confidential.

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How we match your Boston criminal defense case

When you submit a Boston criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Massachusetts law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Massachusetts who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Criminal Defense cases in Boston

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Arrests in Boston stem from everything from nightlife altercations near Fenway and Faneuil Hall to OUI stops on Storrow Drive, drug charges, and campus incidents involving students. Cases are arraigned in Boston Municipal Court divisions or Suffolk Superior Court depending on the charge, and the Suffolk County district attorney prosecutes. What happens at arraignment, bail, and any pretrial hearing can shape everything after, including your record and immigration status. DearLegal matches you with a Massachusetts-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Boston, and the review is free.

Boston criminal charges are prosecuted by the Suffolk County district attorney in municipal or superior court.
OUI stops, drug offenses, and nightlife assaults near stadiums and bars are common Boston charges.
Students at Boston’s many universities often face campus discipline alongside a criminal case.

Massachusetts criminal defense rules at a glance

Boston cases run under Massachusetts law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Massachusetts page.

Read the full Massachusetts criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for murder; 27 years for sex offenses against children; 15 years for first-degree rape; 6 years for most other felonies (M.G.L. c. 277 § 63)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 6 years
6 years for most misdemeanors (M.G.L. c. 277 § 63)
Sentencing Structure: Statute-specific maximums
Statute-specific maximums; Sentencing Commission Guidelines (advisory); mandatory minimums for some firearm and drug offenses; felony/misdemeanor distinction
Expungement / Record Sealing: 3 years
M.G.L. c. 276 § 100A (sealing) — broad eligibility, misdemeanors after 3 years, felonies after 7 years; § 100E expungement for certain categories; juvenile and marijuana automatic relief
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under M.G.L. c. 276 § 57 et seq.; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Mass. Const. Art. of Amend. Art. 12); dangerousness hearings under § 58A
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Boston criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Massachusetts · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Massachusetts are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Massachusetts work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Mass. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases use hourly billing. The Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) represents indigent defendants — combined public-defender and assigned-counsel system.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Boston criminal defense questions, answered

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Less serious charges are usually arraigned in a Boston Municipal Court division based on where the arrest occurred, while felonies may be indicted into Suffolk Superior Court. The Suffolk County district attorney prosecutes both. An attorney can tell you which court applies and what to expect at arraignment.

It is generally wise to politely decline questioning and ask for a lawyer first. Anything you say can be used against you, and early statements are hard to undo. A Boston criminal defense attorney can speak with police and prosecutors on your behalf and protect your rights from the start.

Sometimes. Massachusetts offers options such as continuances without a finding, diversion, or dismissal after motion practice, depending on the charge and your history. Whether these are available in Suffolk County depends on the facts. An attorney can review your case and explain realistic outcomes.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Massachusetts State Police, Boston PD, MBTA Transit Police, and federal agents operating in Massachusetts use trained interrogation. Anything you say is admissible. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and Article 12 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights (broader than the Fifth Amendment in some applications).

Yes. Massachusetts misdemeanors carry up to 2.5 years in house of correction and fines under statute. CWOF (Continuance Without a Finding) under M.G.L. c. 278 § 18 — uniquely valuable Massachusetts disposition — preserves no-conviction status. Pretrial Probation under § 87 is another path. DV and OUI convictions trigger major collateral consequences.