1. Zalkind Duncan & Bernstein LLP
Practice Focus: Murder defense, white collar crimes, federal crimes, drug crimes, terrorism allegations, sex crimes, tax evasion, student disciplinary matters
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, murder, drug offenses, white collar crimes, sex crimes, fraud, student Title IX matters, employment-related criminal matters
Legal Services: Trial defense, appeals, amicus briefs, motion practice, plea negotiations, federal court defense, student disciplinary representation
Background: Norman Zalkind founded the firm and has dedicated his legal career to criminal defense, including over 130 jury trials covering murder, white collar crime, and serious felonies in federal and state courts. Monica R. Shah previously worked at Neufeld, Scheck & Brustin, LLP and is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, New York, and multiple federal courts including the First, Second, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits. Ten firm attorneys were named in the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers in America. Attorneys have been selected for Boston magazine’s Top Lawyers and Massachusetts Super Lawyers listings.
Location: Boston, MA (serves Suffolk County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, and Martha’s Vineyard)
Contact: (617) 742-6020 | https://www.zalkindlaw.com
Consultation: Consultation available by phone or online form
2. The Yannetti Criminal Defense Law Firm
Practice Focus: DUI/OUI defense, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft, federal crimes
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/OUI, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft, probation violations, clerk’s hearings
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, clerk’s magistrate hearings, probation violation hearings, record sealing
Background: David R. Yannetti began his legal career in 1989 as an assistant district attorney in Middlesex County. After serving as lead counsel in hundreds of trials over 10 years and attaining the rank of senior prosecutor, he founded his own criminal defense practice in 1999. He holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Greg Johnson is a partner in the firm. The firm has been featured on the front page of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and Attorney Yannetti frequently appears as a legal commentator on CNN, Fox News, Investigation Discovery, and Court TV.
Location: Suffolk County, MA
Contact: https://www.davidyannetti.com
Consultation: Free, confidential phone consultation available
3. Law Offices of Stephen Neyman
Practice Focus: DUI/OUI, drug crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft, fraud, federal crimes, appeals
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, DUI/OUI, drug offenses, violent crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, theft, fraud, weapons charges
Legal Services: Trial defense, appeals, motion practice, plea negotiations, arraignment representation, post-conviction procedures
Background: Stephen Neyman served as a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County prosecuting gang offenses including drug crimes and murders before moving to Massachusetts in 1990. He has successfully taken more than 300 criminal cases to trial and has appealed approximately 50 criminal convictions in state and federal courts throughout Massachusetts. He has appeared in federal and state courts in New Hampshire, Maine, New York, California, and Arizona, and has handled matters in Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, and the District of Columbia.
Location: Boston, MA
Contact: (617) 263-6800 | https://www.neymanlaw.com
Consultation: Confidential consultation available, 24/7 availability
4. Serpa Law Office
Practice Focus: DUI/OUI, domestic violence, drug crimes, theft, fraud, violent crimes, first-degree murder
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI/OUI, domestic violence, drug offenses, theft, fraud, violent crimes, murder, clerk-magistrate’s hearings
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, clerk-magistrate’s hearings, record sealing, professional license defense
Background: Joe Serpa is a Georgetown Law graduate, cum laude awardee, and law review member with nearly three decades of experience. He has secured hundreds if not thousands of dismissals in Massachusetts criminal cases and has repeatedly obtained jury acquittals in cases from DUI to first-degree murder. He practices in Federal, Superior, Boston Municipal Courts and District Courts throughout Massachusetts, including Suffolk County, Norfolk County, Middlesex County, Bristol County, Plymouth County, and Essex County.
Location: 125 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116 (Back Bay) and Marina Bay office in Quincy
Contact: https://www.serpalaw.com
Consultation: Available
5. Martin G. Weinberg, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Federal criminal defense, white collar crimes, murder defense, complex litigation, internet-related offenses, professional licensing defense
Case Types Handled: Federal crimes, white collar crimes, murder, drug offenses, complex felonies, professional misconduct matters
Legal Services: Federal trial defense, appeals, motion practice, grand jury representation, sentencing advocacy
Background: Martin G. Weinberg is a 1971 Harvard Law School graduate with more than four decades of experience as chief trial and appellate counsel in hundreds of cases. He has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for 37 consecutive years since 1987. He has earned the 2024 Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Judicial Award. He was named one of the Top 10 Lawyers in Massachusetts in 2011 and has been selected as a SuperLawyer for 20 consecutive years from 2004 through 2024. He has represented industry leaders, corporate executives, medical professionals, and prominent trial attorneys.
Location: Boston, MA
Contact: (617) 227-3700 | https://www.martinweinberglaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Criminal Defense Regulations in Massachusetts
Massachusetts attorneys are regulated by the Board of Bar Overseers (BBO), which handles attorney registration, discipline, and public information about attorney status. All attorneys must be admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and maintain active status to practice. The BBO provides public access to verify attorney registration status and disciplinary history.
Massachusetts uses a grand jury system for felony prosecutions. The grand jury determines whether probable cause exists to issue an indictment charging a defendant with a felony. Defendants do not have a right to be present or testify before the grand jury unless invited by the prosecution. A criminal defense attorney may advise a client who is a grand jury target but cannot appear in the grand jury room.
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) provides representation to indigent defendants in Massachusetts. CPCS operates through staff attorneys and private attorneys who accept assigned cases. Eligibility is determined based on federal poverty guidelines, with defendants earning up to 125% of the poverty level qualifying for appointed counsel.
Massachusetts categorizes felonies and misdemeanors without using numbered classes. Penalties are specified by individual statutes. Murder carries mandatory life imprisonment. Other felonies carry maximum sentences ranging from 2.5 years in a house of correction to 20 years or life in state prison depending on the offense. Misdemeanors carry maximum sentences of up to 2.5 years in a house of correction.
Massachusetts uses bail commissioners to set initial bail for defendants arrested outside of court hours. Judges set or review bail at arraignment. The court considers the defendant’s criminal history, flight risk, and danger to the community. Defendants may post cash bail, use a bail bondsman, or seek release on personal recognizance. Massachusetts law provides for pretrial detention without bail for defendants charged with certain serious offenses who are deemed dangerous.
Massachusetts allows for sealing of criminal records under M.G.L. c. 276 § 100A. Waiting periods apply based on offense type: 3 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies, running from the date of disposition or release from incarceration. Certain offenses are not eligible for sealing, including sex offenses requiring registration. The 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act expanded sealing eligibility and created a new expungement process for certain records including wrongful convictions and cases where the defendant was a victim of identity theft.
Massachusetts attorneys must complete continuing legal education requirements. The Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers requires attorneys to certify compliance with CLE standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a clerk-magistrate’s hearing in Massachusetts?
A: A clerk-magistrate’s hearing is a preliminary proceeding that occurs before formal criminal charges are issued for certain misdemeanor offenses. At the hearing, the complainant (often a police officer or citizen) presents evidence to the clerk-magistrate, who determines whether probable cause exists to issue a criminal complaint. The defendant has the right to be represented by an attorney, cross-examine witnesses, and present evidence. If the clerk-magistrate finds no probable cause, the complaint is denied and no charges are filed. These hearings provide an opportunity to prevent criminal charges from being issued.
Q: What happens at arraignment in Massachusetts courts?
A: At arraignment in Massachusetts, the court formally reads the charges against you, advises you of your constitutional rights, and asks for your plea. Most defendants plead not guilty at arraignment. The court addresses bail and conditions of release, which may include no-contact orders, curfews, or GPS monitoring. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may apply for appointed counsel through CPCS. The court sets dates for future hearings, including pretrial conferences and any motions. Arraignment in District Court occurs within 24 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), while Superior Court arraignment follows grand jury indictment.
Q: Can I seal my criminal record in Massachusetts?
A: Massachusetts allows sealing of many criminal records after waiting periods. For misdemeanor convictions, you must wait 3 years from the date of conviction, payment of fines, or release from incarceration, whichever is later. For felony convictions, the waiting period is 7 years. You must have no pending criminal matters and must not have been convicted of new offenses during the waiting period. Certain offenses cannot be sealed, including most sex offenses and offenses where the victim was a minor. You may petition the Commissioner of Probation or file in court, depending on your circumstances.
Q: What are the penalties for OUI (DUI) in Massachusetts?
A: A first OUI offense in Massachusetts is a misdemeanor carrying potential penalties of up to 2.5 years in a house of correction, fines of $500 to $5,000, license suspension of 1 year, and mandatory completion of an alcohol education program. However, first offenders who admit to sufficient facts may be eligible for a continuance without a finding (CWOF), which results in probation rather than a conviction. Subsequent OUI offenses carry mandatory minimum jail sentences, longer license suspensions, and enhanced fines. A third OUI is a felony. Refusing a breathalyzer results in automatic license suspension.
Q: How does the Massachusetts bail system work?
A: When you are arrested in Massachusetts, a bail commissioner may set initial bail before your court appearance. At arraignment, the judge reviews bail and may increase, decrease, or maintain the amount. Judges consider the nature of the charges, your criminal history, community ties, employment, and risk of flight. For most offenses, defendants have a right to bail in a reasonable amount. However, for certain serious offenses, the prosecution may request a dangerousness hearing under M.G.L. c. 276 § 58A. If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that no conditions of release will reasonably assure community safety, you may be held without bail for up to 120 days.