Cambridge Criminal Defense Lawyers

Dealing with criminal charges is one of the most stressful experiences you may face during the course of your life. If this is your first arrest, you may have no idea of what to expect. And if you’ve been through the process before, you may understandably fear that your prior record will expose you to greater possible punishments. However, you do not need to go through this process alone. Attorney Patrick J. Murphy is a Cambridge criminal defense lawyer with more than 25 years of experience defending his clients’ freedom against even the most serious allegations. Through his practical yet aggressive approach he has helped countless people move on with their lives after getting arrested in Cambridge and the surrounding areas.

The Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy represents clients facing all types of serious crimes, including:

While the attitude towards some drugs, such as marijuana, has changed over recent years, that is not the case for other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, crack and methamphetamine. When determining a sentence for a drug crime, judges take type and amount of substance into account and whether there was any evidence that you were selling or manufacturing narcotics. There are also sentencing enhancements if you enlisted the help of a minor to sell drugs or were selling drugs in a school zone. However, possessing even a small amount of drugs can have a major impact on your life.

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OUI) involves driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If convicted of an OUI offense, you can face hefty fines, license suspension, and imprisonment—even for a first-time offense. However, with the assistance of a Cambridge criminal defense attorney, you may qualify for a diversionary program. There are also many defenses to OUI offenses, which can result in an acquittal or the withdrawal of charges altogether.

Sex offenses carry some of the harshest penalties of all crimes. At the same time, allegations of sexual assault, including rape and indecent assault, can be difficult to defend against. Many of these cases come down to whether your version of the events is more credible than the prosecutions. An experienced Cambridge defense lawyer can be an invaluable resource in developing an effective defense against these serious crimes.

Massachusetts imposes strict laws governing who can possess a firearm, where they can carry it, and how they use it. For example, even if you have a valid Massachusetts firearm license and firearm identification card, you cannot legally carry a gun if you are intoxicated. The punishments for gun crimes are especially harsh if the weapon was used while committing a crime.

Domestic violence offenses include certain crimes committed against “family or household members.” Allegations of domestic violence can be particularly hard to defend against because they often involve very emotional situations and vastly different versions of events. In domestic violence cases, the most important aspect is often the credibility of the alleged victim. If you face domestic violence charges in Cambridge, an experienced criminal defense attorney can be critical to exposing a witness’ bias through cross-examination.

Criminal cases in Cambridge are heard at one of several different courthouses. Generally, most misdemeanors, as well as cases in Drug Court and Mental Health Court are heard at the Cambridge District Court, located at 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA. Serious felony trials are typically held at the Middlesex County Superior Court, located at 200 Trade Center, 2nd Floor, Woburn, MA.

If you have been arrested for any crime in Cambridge, you can obtain a copy of the police report by contacting the records unit of the Cambridge Police Department at 125 Sixth St. Cambridge, MA.

You have three options to obtain a police report, either in person, by mail, or online. However, if the offense involves allegations of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, or stalking, police reports are not publicly available. In these situations, you should reach out to your attorney to obtain a redacted copy of the report and other discovery.

If you are facing serious criminal charges, you need a Cambridge criminal defense lawyer who is ready to defend your rights. Attorney Patrick J. Murphy has been representing clients in all types of cases for more than 25 years. Over this time, he’s come to appreciate the fact that every case is unique, depending largely on a client’s individual situation. In some cases, you may want to resolve the case as quickly as possible by negotiating a favorable plea agreement. In others, you will want to aggressively defend against the allegations. When you reach out to the Law Office of Patrick J. Murphy, he will take the time to listen to your goals and thoughtfully consider the best way to reach your desired outcome. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, give the firm a call at (617) 367-0450.