Weapons Crimes

Specialized Gun Crime Defense Lawyers

Massachusetts has some of the most severe gun laws in the country. For many charges, there is mandatory jail time if you are convicted. Having an experienced firearm case defense lawyer is a must when facing the possibility of jail time if you lose.

For example, the minimum penalty for a person charged with illegal possession of a firearm outside of their home or work is one and a half years in jail. Depending on what the prosecutor does, that penalty can be raised up to 2½ years in state prison as a minimum sentence! Different circumstances often come with additional penalties. There are penalties for possessing a firearm without a license if it is loaded or with an extended magazine, selling a firearm or ammunition without a license to do so, improperly storing a firearm, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, or possession of a firearm (or ammunition) with certain prior offenses. There are cases where the mere possession of a single bullet could lead to a minimum of three years in state prison depending on the client’s past criminal record.

The lawyers at Erkan and Sullivan have extensive experience with gun cases. As former prosecutors, we worked closely with the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, (ATF), the Massachusetts State Police, local detectives, and various ATF Task Forces. We led investigations into the unlawful possession, sale, and use of firearms. Now, armed with the knowledge and the tricks used by the experts in Massachusetts in this field, Attorneys Erkan and Sullivan work vigorously to poke holes in the government’s case, file motions to prevent evidence from being used against our clients, and argue persuasively in favor of dismissal or a reduced sentence.

Case example: Client in the Woburn Superior Court charged with an offense requiring a minimum of five years in jail if convicted.
Result: We successfully kept out evidence at trial leading to the client avoiding any jail time.

In most cases, the evidence the government has against clients who are charged with firearms offenses stems from searches of either homes, vehicles, or personal bags. In order for this evidence to be used at trial, the police must show that either (a) a search warrant was issued allowing the search; or (b) that one of the few exceptions to the search warrant requirement existed in the particular case. We have years of experience arguing such motions as both prosecutors and defense lawyers, and even drafting warrants for police throughout Essex and Middlesex Counties. We have used this experience with success as local defense attorneys to draft motions challenging practices used by police to obtain evidence. This is one of the many instances where our attorneys use their law enforcement background to the benefit of our clients.

Attorney Erkan and Sullivan keep up on the new advances and changes in the law. We continuously reads cases, stays current, and provides quality, confident representation to those charged with serious weapons offenses. We are dedicated to demonstrating that quality to each of our clients.

If you or a loved one is charged with a gun charge, improper storage of a firearm, or another weapon offense, contact gun charge defense lawyers Murat Erkan and Ryan P. Sullivan at (978) 474-0054 or send an email to schedule a consultation to discuss how best to defend your case.