Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense   ◊   Juvenile Delinquency   ◊   Probation Advocacy
Family Law   ◊   Mental Health Advocacy

Protecting Your Rights in District Court Prosecutions

If you have been charged with a district court crime, including operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you want to protect your rights. The consequences of a conviction can be serious, including the loss of driving privileges, increased insurance premiums, significant fines, and jail time. You want a lawyer who knows the law and your options, and has successfully represented others in similar cases.

Attorney William Jacob Megowen, Esq. has protected the rights of criminal defendants in district court since 2001. He prides himself on personal service. He will thoroughly investigate your case so that he can develop the approach that is right for you. This may be to go to trial, submit a plea, or in some cases negotiate with the district attorney to seek a general continuance or diversion. There also may be grounds for dismissal or suppression of evidence, which would require a hearing.

Our Criminal Defense Practice

Attorney Megowen focuses his criminal defense practice on crimes in district court including felonies, misdemeanors, including alcohol and/or drug impaired driving (OUI/DUI/DWI). He will conduct a thorough investigation of the facts, the evidence they will use against you, the circumstances surrounding your arrest, and can retain private investigators when needed. He can help determine whether your constitutional rights were violated, in which case some evidence may be suppressible or excludable. In particularly egregious instances, charges may be dismissed entirely. He will examine whether law enforcement officers had probable cause for search, seizure or arrest and whether you were properly informed of your rights before making any statements to police.

If you have been charged with OUI/DUI/DWI, he will question whether field sobriety and breath tests (Breathalyzer test) were administered correctly.

He handles the defense of a wide range of criminal charges, including:

Drug crimes:

Including possession, possession with intent to distribute, trafficking, cultivation and manufacturing, all types of drugs: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E drugs

Drunk Driving (OUI/DUI/DWI):

From first-time defendants to multiple-offense charges for operating under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Motor vehicle offenses

Including speeding tickets, reckless driving, operating after suspension, uninsured operation, forged motor vehicle document, leaving the scene of an accident, use without authority, and child endangerment.

Assault and Assault and battery:

Including aggravated, with or without dangerous weapons, and on police or corrections officers.

Domestic violence:

Including violations of restraining orders.

Theft crimes:

Such as larceny above or below $250, shoplifting, identity theft, fraud and larceny by check charges.

Property crimes:

Including malicious or wanton destruction of property above and under $250, vandalism, and tagging.

Disorderly Conduct

Restraining Orders (209A) and Anti-harassment Orders:

Read more about probation and other alternatives to incarceration.

For a free initial consultation, email us or call us at 978-825-9988 or 978-369-2795 (after hours).