West Roxbury Boston Municipal Court

West Roxbury Lawyer to Defend You Against Criminal Charges

West Roxbury is a neighborhood located in Boston. It has roughly 28,283 residents as of 2020. The Police Department recorded 554 crimes in the neighborhood in the same year; this constituted a 7% uptick in reported crimes compared to the year before. The neighborhood’s rate of crime is 14.65 crimes per 1000 residents in a year, a figure that is lower than many other neighborhoods’ crime rates. The northern portion is considered the safest. The neighborhood’s criminal and civil cases are adjudicated by West Roxbury Boston Municipal Court, which is located in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. District E-5 of the Boston Police Department serves the neighborhood. If you were charged with a crime in this area, you should call trustworthy West Roxbury criminal defense lawyer Ryan P. Sullivan.

Crimes fit into several broad categories: crimes against persons, crimes against society such as drug crimes, and crimes against property. These can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors, with felonies being more harshly punished, but in all cases, the prosecutor will need to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Violent crimes

The District Police Department reported 98 violent crimes in the neighborhood in 2020. While there were no reports of actual murder, there were reports of other violent crimes such as rape and aggravated assaults in the neighborhood. A total of 72 cases of aggravated assault were reported, with roughly 37 of them being domestic incidents. On an annual basis, there are about 68.4 assaults recorded in the neighborhood.

Other violent crimes that prosecutors for which prosecutors may pursue charges include robbery, terrorism, kidnapping, and carjacking. While domestic violence is not a separate charge, crimes involving family members that would be defined by statute as domestic violence are charged in Massachusetts as abuse. With serious violent crimes, you will face the possibility of imprisonment. It is crucial to retain an experienced lawyer to develop a strong defense.

Sex Crimes Defense

Massachusetts prosecutes sex crimes like rape, date rape, statutory rape, child pornography, sex offenses, and assault seriously. If you are convicted, you can be haunted long after sentencing, which makes it crucial to retain an aggressive defense attorney to protect your interests. Lack of consent for sexual activity is a significant element in these cases. The age of consent in Massachusetts is sixteen. If you are accused of having sex with someone age 15 or under, you should know that the person cannot consent to sex under the law; it is not a defense to “rape and abuse of a child” to argue consent.

In addition to facing the possibility of a significant prison sentence, you will be required to register as sex offenders with the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry. This can damage your career, your family, and your future housing prospects.

Defending Against Property Crimes Charges

Roughly 456 property crimes were reported in the neighborhood in 2020. This represented an increase of 9.8%. The reported property crimes included burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, counterfeiting and arson. A total of 353 theft cases happened in the neighborhood in 2020. What prosecutors must prove depends on the statute under which they are trying to obtain a conviction. For example, in a burglary case, prosecutors must show: (1) you broke and entered into a dwelling, (2) at night, (3) intending to commit a felony.

Drug Crimes and OUI in West Roxbury

Drug crimes include a broad range of conduct that involves controlled substances. Prohibited activities include possession, sale, manufacturing, and trafficking. Certain controlled substances are regarded as more dangerous, and so activities that involve them are punished more harshly, particularly when the crime involves trafficking or sale to minors or near a school zone.

You can be charged with an OUI if the police believe you are driving while under the influence of alcohol or any drug, including prescription drugs, heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana or other controlled substances.

Discuss the Charges with a Trustworthy Defense Lawyer

If you were charged with a crime, you should call dedicated West Roxbury criminal defense attorney Ryan P. Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan uses insights gained over more than a decade of experience to build strong defenses for his clients in West Roxbury Boston Municipal Court. Call him today at (978) 474-0054 or get in touch through our online form to schedule your consultation.