× Call Us

Criminal Defense Attorney: Defending Your Rights in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts

A criminal conviction will change your life, never for the better. You may spend time in jail or prison, owe a hefty fine, lose the right to possess certain weapons, become barred from certain jobs, lose trust from associates, and many worse things. You may also struggle to find employment or housing and face social pressures, like losing friends or family.

Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is vital if you are accused of a crime. David J. Bobrow Office of Law, LLC is a top-rated criminal defense law firm, offering skilled representation in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Our extensive experience means we can guide you through your options, help you protect your rights, and minimize the harms of criminal accusations. And that last word is the most important. At this point, they are just that…accusations.

Contact David
Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Federal Crimes

If you have heard someone say something trivial like writing on someone else’s mail (tampering) is particularly serious because it is a federal offense, you already have a good framework for understanding what makes federal crimes unique. Federal crimes often involve activities that cross state lines, like mail often does, and frequently carry more severe penalties than state-level offenses. If the federal government accuses you of a crime, hiring an experienced federal criminal defense attorney is crucial.

Federal Offenses

Federal crimes can include:

  • Drug trafficking—manufacturing, distributing, or possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances;
  • Fraud—using interstate or foreign communications, like phone calls or email, to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, or credit card fraud;
  • Money laundering—moving illegally obtained funds through several transactions to make them appear legitimate;
  • Sex trafficking—recruiting, harboring, or transporting individuals for sexual exploitation, often involving minors;
  • Child pornography offenses—possessing, producing, or distributing explicit materials involving minors; and
  • Tax evasion—willfully attempting to avoid federal income taxes. 

Conspiring with others to commit a federal offense can lead to additional charges.

Penalties for Federal Crimes

Penalties upon conviction of a federal crime may include a combination of:

  • Imprisonment,
  • Fines,
  • Restitution, 
  • Asset forfeiture, and
  • Probation (supervised release).

Sentences can range from a few months to life in prison. For example, federal penalties for trafficking drugs can range from five years to life imprisonment for large quantities or repeat offenders. Fines are often imposed in addition to prison time, varying from a few thousand dollars to potentially millions.

Crimes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts

Most crimes are defined and prosecuted at the state level, and many state crimes overlap with federal crimes. While Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts have similar criminal laws, they also vary in significant ways, including:

  • The specific circumstances that make a situation a crime;
  • The different degrees of felonies and misdemeanors the offense qualifies as; and
  • Penalties and options to avoid or minimize negative consequences.

Below, we explore several common state-based charges our office can help you defend against through representation tailored to each state’s legal nuances.

State-Level Offenses

Common state-level offenses include allegations of:

  • Substance use while operating a motor vehicle—operating a vehicle while impaired by a substance like alcohol or drugs;
  • Drug crimes—possessing, manufacturing, and possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance;
  • Domestic violence—committing physical abuse, harassment, or other harm against a member of your household;
  • Violent crimes—committing physical harm, including battery, assault, robbery, manslaughter, and homicide;
  • Theft and property-related crimes—taking property belonging to someone else, like shoplifting, theft, burglary, and larceny;
  • White collar crimes—fraud and fraud-related offenses in the business context, including embezzlement, money laundering, and insider trading; and
  • Sex crimes—committing sexual touching without consent, by force or coercion, or involving minors.

Many particulars of how you commit these crimes vary between Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Names can vary, too. For example, the three states use the following terms to describe substance use while driving:

  • Maine—OUI (Operating Under the Influence),
  • Massachusetts—DUI (Driving Under the Influence), and
  • New Hampshire—DWI (Driving While Intoxicated).

Each state has distinct laws regarding blood alcohol content limits, what counts as impairment, and penalties for refusals to submit to testing.

Penalties for State-Level Crimes

Like federal crimes, state-level crimes are punishable by imprisonment, fines, restitution, asset forfeiture, and probation. The penalties for state-level crimes vary by offense, state, and the circumstances. For example, low-value theft is often a misdemeanor, while high-value theft is a felony. Conviction of driving-related offenses may result in license suspension or revocation, while conviction of sex-related crimes, especially those involving children, may require sex offender registration.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

So, what does a criminal defense lawyer do? The primary goal of criminal defense is to protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and secure the best possible outcome. That outcome may include:

  • Dismissed charges,
  • Reduced charges, 
  • A favorable plea agreement, or 
  • Acquittal after trial.

Each state and the federal government has its own criminal procedure. Although there is overlap, it is crucial to know the specific requirements of each location.

Evaluating Evidence

Once you hire us, we will examine all the available evidence to look for mistakes, inconsistencies, or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Common prosecution evidence may include: 

  • Police reports;
  • Body camera footage, if applicable;
  • Witness statements;  and 
  • Physical evidence, like seized drugs.

Next, we gather our own evidence, investigate locations and physical items, speak to witnesses, and explore the weaknesses we have identified.

Depending on what we discover through this process, we may:

  • Request that the state dismiss the charges because the evidence does not support them;
  • Ask the court to determine whether the government obtained its evidence by violating your constitutional rights; or
  • Negotiate a plea deal.

Plea deals often involve a prosecutor offering to:

  • Reduce or dismiss charges, 
  • Recommend a reduced sentence, or 
  • Recommend diversion programs to avoid conviction (in Maine, this is commonly known as deferred disposition, in New Hampshire, it is a deferred prosecution, and in Massachusetts, it is a continuation with or without a finding).

We can help you understand when a plea bargain is a good deal and, if not, negotiate to get a better one.

Trial

If you go to trial, we develop a defense strategy. Our strategy may involve:

  • Challenging the credibility of witnesses, 
  • Offering exonerating evidence,
  • Disputing evidence, or 
  • Presenting an alternative theory of the crime.

A well-planned defense may reduce the harsh consequences of conviction, even if it does not prevent it.

Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief

If the government obtained a conviction through questionable methods, you may appeal or seek “post-conviction relief.” You might appeal a case because:

  • The judge misapplied or misunderstood the law,
  • New evidence has come to light, or
  • The government violated your rights during the proceedings.

Whether to appeal or seek post-conviction relief depends on the timeline and circumstances of your case. Post-conviction relief may occur significantly later.

Why Choose Criminal Defense Law Firm David J. Bobrow Office of Law, LLC

With a license to practice law in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, we are a criminal defense law firm that supports those accused of crimes in all three states. We understand state-specific laws and how those laws affect offenses allegedly committed within each state and across state lines. Contact our office today.