Alternative Sentencing Options in Massachusetts
Very few criminal cases go to trial. An experienced defense attorney can give you a good idea of your exposure to punishment, identify the strengths and weaknesses of your case, make an accurate assessment of the pros and cons of a guilty plea offer from the prosecution, and concentrate on the sentencing phase of the case as your best alternative for achieving a favorable outcome. Your lawyer will not be able to make incriminating evidence go away, however, or convince an experienced prosecutor that a weak defense is a strong one. As a result, the most valuable service that an attorney can provide often takes place in the consideration of sentencing alternatives.
To learn how you can benefit from the experience of a criminal defense attorney with more than 30 years of practice, contact the Boston law firm of Thomas McKean. Even for people facing felony charges of assault, illegal drug possession, or sex offenses, negotiation of a plea that will involve no jail or prison time can be a realistic sentencing objective. We can advise you about your eligibility for such alternative disposition arrangements as the following:
- Continuance without a finding — an agreement with the prosecution to suspend further action on your case provided you avoid further trouble
- Pretrial probation — similar to continuance without a finding, but with somewhat more formal reporting requirements and conditions
- Restitution — an agreement and payment plan to compensate the victim of a property crime for losses resulting from your offense
- Community service — a commitment to work a specified number of hours as an alternative to jail, fines or restitution
- Treatment, rehabilitation or counseling alternatives in cases of domestic violence or drug offenses
In any case that presents a high risk of conviction at trial, our clients over the years have benefited greatly from our experience with alternative sentencing arrangements that can keep them out of jail and mitigate the adverse consequences of a criminal conviction on career prospects, educational opportunities, and even family life.
We also advise clients about their eligibility for expungement of criminal records so that past arrests and convictions won't need to be reported on employment, housing, professional license or university applications. For a free consultation about our ability to steer your case toward alternative sentencing options, contact Boston criminal defense attorney Thomas McKean.
