Under federal law, a felony is defined as the following: “A felony is a type of offense punishable under criminal law. Many states classify felonies under different categories depending on the seriousness of the crime and its punishment.”

What Are Commonly Occurring Felony Charges In Massachusetts?

At Toland Law, we see and deal with many criminal cases that involve felony charges. The below is a glimpse into felony charges in Boston, but not an exhaustive list:

  • Homicide
  • Homicide by motor vehicle
  • Indecent assault
  • Felony sexual assault or rape
  • Child endangerment or child pornography
  • Assault with a dangerous weapon
  • Battery with a dangerous weapon
  • Possession of a drug with intent to sell
  • Possession of a drug with intent to distribute

If you or someone you love has been charged with any of the felonies listed above, or one that isn’t listed, you need to call a lawyer right away. The punishments for a felony charge in Massachusetts- or in any state- are debilitating and will alter the course of your life forever.

The best way to get a head start on creating a strong case for your defense and possibly minimizing impending penalties is to contact Toland Law right away to begin creating your defense. The sooner you call, the sooner you can work alongside criminal defense attorney Paul Toland to minimize your charges.

What Are The Punishments For A Felony In Boston?

In most cases, if a felony is not classified by a letter grade in the section defining it, the felony is classified as follows:

  • Class A: if the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is life imprisonment, or if the maximum penalty is death.
  • Class B: if the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is twenty-five years or more.
  • Class C: if the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is less than twenty-five years but ten or more years.
  • Class D: if the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is less than ten years but five or more years.
  • Class E: if the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is less than five years but more than one year.”

Considering every state classifies felonies differently, it’s important to understand how Massachusetts treats a felony charge. Felonies in Massachusetts are commonly penalized by either an incarceration sentence in a state prison or house of corrections. Whether or not this occurs depends on whether or not the case is indicted (held in superior court or district court.) Indictment is defined as the process of going before a grand jury which formally charges a person with a criminal offense – in this case, a felony.

How Does A Lawyer Help Fight A Felony Charge?

There are many different defenses your lawyer may be able to take to fight back against your felony charge. You may be able to assert that you didn’t do the crime you’re accused of. Your defense lawyer may even be able to argue that someone else is responsible for committing the crime or that no crime was committed in the first place. If your attorney is taking the “no crime occurred at all” position, they might argue that any witness testimony is untrue or that the actions you took have nothing to do with the charges you are facing.

Self-defense is another defense that you may be able to take. This defense stance is typically associated with crimes such as battery, assault, domestic violence, or homicide. When lawyers are using this defense, they are admitting that you acted violently or with aggression, but it was justified due your need to act in self defense.

Your lawyer will compile and assess all evidence relevant to your case to make your defense stance as strong and airtight as possible. If you’re not able to claim you didn’t do the crime, or not able to claim self-defense, your criminal defense attorney will help you negotiate a plea bargain and work to reduce your jail time, fines or other punishments as best as possible.

Call Toland Law Today For A Free, No-Obligation Criminal Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one have been arrested on a felony charge in Massachusetts, it’s crucial that you contact Toland Law right away. If you are an immigrant that is facing criminal charges in Boston, it is even more important to have a defense attorney on your side who has experience in both immigration and criminal law.

At Toland Law, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation to anyone facing criminal penalties for a felony charge. We take the time to listen to your concerns, and pledge to stop at nothing to ensure your rights are upheld, voice is heard in court, and your penalties are minimized as best as possible.

Toland Law, LLC