It’s not just drug dealers that get arrested for drug crimes. All too often students, professionals, housewives, doctors, lawyers, firefighters, police officers and others find themselves stopped by police and are in possession of an illegal narcotic. For some it started as a bad back whose pain became overwhelming and for others it is a recreational drug that they are holding at the wrong time in the wrong place. For students it can be that a roommate has it in the dorm or in a car with you and the police charge everyone present. For others it’s a hidden addiction that now may ruin all they have worked for at home and at work. For some it seemed like a great idea to make some quick money and only now do they realize the price they may have to pay involving strict mandatory minimum sentences. A few unlucky clients may receive a phone call from a police officer that asks them to come to the station or meet with the officer “so we can talk before this becomes a problem.” DO NOT RETURN THAT CALL BEFORE TALKING WITH AN ATTORNEY!!!!
The government’s “war on drugs,” has made for harsh, and often mandatory, penalties for narcotics-related crimes. These severe penalties for drug crimes can have serious consequences for the futures of those charged. The criminal penalties are complex, depending on the drug, the amount you were caught with and the circumstances of your arrest, but even simple possession may carry prison time, steep fines, and the lifelong stigma of a felony conviction. The penalties rise significantly if your arrest involved violence, if it’s not the first offense or if firearms were involved. Unlike other crimes, many drug crimes also carry non-criminal penalties like loss of your driver’s license in Massachusetts, becoming ineligible for student loans or federal assistance programs, adverse consequences in immigration court and trouble with professional licensing or military service. A narcotics charge hurts you everywhere you turn.
Massachusetts does have several programs available for first time offenders or those with addiction problems. Attorney William Sullivan and Richard Sweeney work first and foremost with you on your particular case to make sure that every available defense is investigated and every piece of evidence is used to preserve your rights and get that all important NOT GUILTY! In cases where law enforcement made a mistake that violated your civil rights, we may be able to get your case dismissed altogether. Also under recent changes in the law the government now has to produce an expert at your trial who has weighed and tested the drugs in your case and must then take the stand and go through rigorous cross-examination by us before the commonwealth can prove that what you had on you was, in fact, an illegal narcotic drug. Due to budget restraints that does not happen in many cases and charges can be dismissed simply because the expert is not available to testify on your trial date. Using our expertise and long experience in dealing with drug crimes we are in an excellent position to assist you even if you were actually in possession of an illegal substance. They have to prove their case against you and that is fact specific to each case. We make them prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
We will examine everything about your arrest and subsequent treatment to find any errors in the investigation, the search, the drug testing or other misuse of power that can destroy the case against you. In addition we have extensive experience in the investigation phase from the police side and the prosecution of the case from our time spent working in the District Attorney’s Office prosecuting these cases and as a Boston Police Drug Unit Sergeant investigating drug cases at all levels.
If the case is solid, we have been able to work with you and the commonwealth towards reducing your charges or the penalties you face, working towards allowing you to qualify for treatment and/or probation. Often we can get you situated in treatment programs and work towards showing the court that you are well on the way to recovery and therefore less of a risk to re-offend and that probation and continued attendance in rehabilitation programs is a better alternative than a jail sentence.
We are a dedicated criminal defense firm, well-respected by our peers and by the courts in Massachusetts. That knowledge is reflected in our record of successes, which includes not guilty verdicts, dismissal of charges, placing clients in drug diversion programs, probation and getting reduced charges and penalties. Sullivan and Sweeney has been awarded the coveted peer review rating of AV (“very high to preeminent” in legal ability and ethics) by theMartindale-Hubbell International Law Directory — the highest rating awarded to attorneys and one shared by fewer than 7% of all lawyers in the United States and we are also listed in the prestigious Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
If you’ve been charged with a drug crime in Massachusetts you’re facing charges that will change everything about your future. In addition your family faces the stress of not only dealing with a possible jail sentence for a loved one but also the difficulty of not knowing where to start to get help with an addiction problem. With so much at stake, you need the experience and knowledge of attorneys who deal with these crimes daily in Massachusetts. Call Sweeney & Associates at (617) 300-0212 today to schedule a free consultation on your case.
You, and your family, have a lot of questions and a lot of concerns. We will take the time to answer your questions and work with you towards a succesful resolution to your problem. We have represented hundreds of out-of-state students at Boston area Colleges and we can help you and your family navigate through both school and the courts. You already have a problem now make the call to find the resolution.
Please call us at (617) 300-0212 for additional information and helpful links.