Common Criminal Defenses

Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer

Although it may seem as though you have little to no chance of avoiding a guilty verdict or having to succumb to a plea bargain, there are numerous defense strategies that an attorney can explore when taking on your case. Of course, these will vary on depending on your unique situation, but following is a basic description of some of the most common defenses under criminal law:

Self-defense or defense of others - if the defendant has been accused of assault or any related violent crime, was he or she actually acting in self-defense? Was he or she trying to defend a family member? Self-defense may be a lawful excuse for criminal homicide (murder or manslaughter) as well as cases involving assault and battery and domestic violence.

Unreliable witness testimony - the prosecution's key witness may be unreliable due to drug or alcohol use or perhaps a motive to lie or misrepresent information. This may hold true particularly in drug cases, where an informant or other individual actually mixed up in crime may be used as a witness.

Unreasonable search and seizure - if law enforcement did not have probable cause or a valid warrant to conduct a search, this may be grounds to have the evidence obtained in that search excluded from a case.

Unlawful arrest or police questioning - was the defendant read his or her Miranda rights? If a defendant was unlawfully arrested or questioned, this may be grounds to have any statement or confession related to this excluded.

Improper line-up - law enforcement must follow certain rules in making a line-up to identify a possible suspect. Proof of a violation of this kind may positively impact your case.

Improper evidence collection or processing / chain of command - if evidence was mishandled or the chain of command was not properly recorded, this may mean its reliability may be brought into question.

Contact a Criminal Attorney in Boston, Massachusetts

Thomas A. Brant is a competent Boston criminal attorney who has over two decades of experience in handling a broad range of criminal cases for clients in all walks of life, ranging from simple DUI/OUI all the way to murder. Whether you have been arrested for shoplifting or have been accused of assault and battery involving a law enforcement officer, attorney Brant can meet with you and can determine exactly how to approach your defense.

Learn more about how a skilled lawyer can make an impact in the outcome of your case. Contact Boston criminal defense lawyer Thomas Brant today!