Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Essex, MA

Scott Bocchio, criminal defense attorney, has served those arrested around the Essex, MA area for more than 12 years.

With over 25 years of overall experience throughout our team, Your Legal Rights Advocates are the leading criminal lawyers in Essex, MA.

Whether you’re dealing with a DUI/OUI or a drug related crime, we defend and represent you.

Our law firm is skilled in the intricacies of DUI, OUI, and drug possession laws. We know your legal rights under Massachusetts criminal law and will endeavor to defend them.  Don’t endanger your future when facing criminal allegations. Call and consult with one of our defense attorneys, we will inform you of your rights and how we will aggressively defend them. We encourage you get in touch with one of our legal team members at your earliest opportunity, the quicker you retain our law firm, the quicker we can begin defending your rights. Our team of dedicated criminal lawyers is convinced you should be afforded all the protection the law provides you. We will work to protect your protection under the law at all times.

As criminal defense lawyers, our legal defense team is competent defending our clients Massachusetts criminal laws. Understanding of the criminal law is only the beginning. We integrate this legal knowledge with a team of attorneys who really care about their client’s futures. When you are facing criminal allegations, potentiality heavy penalties, and even your loss of liberty, our law firm fights to protect you

When there are very specific and exacting laws regarding criminal offenses in Essex, MA, it is strongly advised you hire an attorney who’s practiced in the area for a great deal of time, knowing the ins and outs of your city and state’s laws. We will examine all aspects of your charges so that we can pursue a forceful defense as your legal representative. We know how aggravating a criminal investigation, arrest, and charges can be. We will support you during this criminal proceeding. Having a strong defense team on your side can help reduce the anxiety you are feeling.

Arrested for DUI/OUI in Essex, MA?

Massachusetts’ DUI/OUI law says; Whoever, upon any way or in any place to which the public has a right of access, or upon any way or in any place to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees, operates a motor vehicle with a percentage, by weight, of alcohol in their blood eight one-hundredths or greater, or while under the influence of intoxicating liquors, or of marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances, all as defined in section one of chapter ninety-four C, or the vapors of glue shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred nor more than five thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
It’s clear that the law says, if you drive a motor vehicle on a public way, while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or other substances and/or have a BAC of .08 or higher, you are in violation of the law. You will face a criminal liability of up to two and half years in jail and/or a fine anywhere from $500.00-$5,000.00.

Breaking & Entering/Home Invasion criminal defense lawyer Essex, MA and the surrounding towns.

Burglary and/or Breaking and Entering offenses are severe offenses in Essex, MA. If the property alleged to have been entered is a dwelling, Breaking and Entering is charged as “Home Invasion” carrying a potential maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. When your freedom is at risk, you need a criminal defense attorney that understands how to defend you against these allegations.

Drug Offenses Require an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Individuals knowingly or intentionally possessing any controlled substance without a valid prescription are violating the law in Massachusetts. You can face punishment of up to one year of incarceration and/or up to a $1000.00 fine. Generally fines and the amount spent vary on the substance itself and the amount found on your person. To be found guilty of possession, you must:

You must possess and be knowledgeable of the heroin.

Marijuana has been legalized in Massachusetts for persons age 21 and older. Although legal, you cannot use marijuana on federal lands, or in public. You may have up to 1oz on your person and up to 10oz in your home. It is considered illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana. Note, you can still be criminally charged for possessing more than 1oz of marijuana on your person. Penalties can be up to one year of jail/prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Also, you should research any additional rules or laws imposed by your employer, landlord, city, and/or town regarding marijuana usage. When starting a new job, moving into a new dwelling, or moving locations you should do the research to ensure you are not in violation of any other rules, policies, or laws.

You do not need to actually possess heroin to be charged with a crime. Just knowing heroin is present can lead to a criminal sentence of up to one year of incarceration and/or up to a $1000.00 fine. Actual possession of heroin (first offense) carries a criminal liability of up to two years in the house of corrections and up to a $2000.00 fine. If this is not your first heroin possession conviction, you face longer prison times or higher fines, or both.

Domestic violence defense in Essex, MA

Domestic Violence is an assault that is alleged to have occurred between persons who have a domestic relationship. This charge is pursued vigorously by prosecutors, often despite the wishes of a complaining witness. Domestic Violence can range from misdemeanor to felony charges, each carrying not only their substantive penalties but also possible collateral consequences, affecting rights to own or possess firearms and the ability of non-citizens to remain in the United States. Our law firm is extremely capable of defending you against domestic violence charges.

Essex, MA Armed Robbery Criminal Defense Lawyers

Armed Robbery is governed by Massachusetts General Law Part IV Title I Chapter 265 section 17, which states; Whoever, being armed with a dangerous weapon, assaults another and robs, steals or takes from his person, money or other property which may be the subject of larceny shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life or for any term of years. The punishment is more severe if, during the robbery, the assailant dons a mask or anything that causes facial distortion. If certain firearms were used in the robbery, the penalties are even more severe. According to Massachusetts law, unarmed robbery is defined as: Whoever, not being armed with a dangerous weapon, by force and violence, or by assault and putting in fear, robs, steals, or takes from the person of another, or from his immediate control, money or other property which may be the subject of larceny, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for life or for any term of years. Armed robbery is considered a crime deserving more severe penalties than unarmed robbery. Even so, robberies of any type can result in severe criminal sentences if you’re convicted.