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Experienced & Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer On Your Side
If you were charged with a crime in Massachusetts, you must act quickly to preserve your rights under the law.
It is critical that you reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as you learn that you are suspected of committing a crime of any kind.
Criminal Defense Attorney Thomas Kokonowski I have the expertise to provide you with a zealous defense.
Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact a top criminal lawyer today.
Massachusetts Misdemeanors
Although misdemeanors are considered less serious than felony crimes, you still can be punished harshly. Even if you avoid long prison time, your record will be tainted and could affect your future employment or even your ability to rent a property.
Examples of misdemeanors include:
- assault and/or battery
- 1st offense DUI
- petty theft or shoplifting, when the merchandise is valued at less than $250
- criminal harassment
- hazing
- disorderly conduct
Penalties for Misdemeanors:
If you were found guilty of a misdemeanor in Northampton, you could face:
- Up to 3o months in a correctional facility
- Up to a $1,000 fine
- In some scenarios, a judge may impose a higher fine depending on the severity of the crime, up to $5,000
You may also have a permanent criminal record, which may affect your ability to:
- obtain gainful employment
- rent or buy a home
- purchase a car
- obtain a professional license
Massachusetts Felonies
Felonies are inherently more serious than misdemeanor crimes.
Examples of felonies in Massachusetts include but are not limited to:
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Rape
- Theft of goods valued at over $250
- Breaking and entering
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Abuse or neglect of a child
Penalties for Felonies
The penalties for felony crimes differ between crimes.
For example, a Massachusetts citizen who is found guilty of rape may be sentenced to life in prison, depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Another example would be a Massachusetts citizen who is convicted of manslaughter. He or she may be sentenced to up to 20 years in a state prison and be fined $1,000.
If you were charged with a felony of any kind, it is absolutely imperative that you discuss the matter with a seasoned criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Your future is on the line and you need an aggressive, fearless, and experienced attorney to assist you.
Statute of Limitations
In the state of Massachusetts, there is what is known as a statute of limitations.
Law.com defines a statute of limitations as:
“a law which sets the maximum period which one can wait before filing a lawsuit.”
This means that the state only has a certain window in which they can bring charges against you for a particular crime. If the statute of limitations has passed, the state can no longer charge you with that crime.
Some crimes, however, have no statute of limitations.
Examples of Massachusetts statute of limitations for certain crimes are as follows:
- Rape: charges must be brought no later than 15 years after the offense
- Assault with the intent to rape: charges must be brought no later than 15 years after the offense
- Armed robbery: charges must be brought no later than 10 years after the offense
- Incest: charges must be brought no later than 10 years after the offense
- Rape and abuse of a child: no statute of limitations
- Murder: no statute of limitations
Although the statute of limitations protects you against being charged with a crime after too much time has passed, these windows are still quite large.
This means that you can be charged with a crime many years after it has passed, when you least expect it.
Your Rights Under the Law
Even if you are suspected of committing a crime, you have certain rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
These basic rights cannot be violated, even if you are accused of serious crimes like murder or rape.
Under the law, you have the right to:
- Remain silent in order to avoid self-incrimination
- Request an attorney at any time
- Refrain from answering questions posed by law enforcement
- Be informed of your rights before, during, and after arrest
No matter what crime you have been charged with, your rights must be honored.
By working with an experienced criminal defense attorney from the very start of your case, you can protect your legal rights.
Contact Criminal Defense Attorney Thomas Kokonowski Today
If you have been charged with a crime in the state of Massachusetts, your future is on the line. Your career and relationships can all be affected by criminal charges, even if you are found not guilty.
Consulting with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer in Northampton is the first step you should take to ensure that your rights and interests are being passionately advocated for.
Criminal Defense Attorney Thomas Kokonowski has over 20 years of criminal trial experience and has conducted hundreds of trials of felonies and misdemeanors in both the Commonwealth’s district and superior courts and Federal Court.
He understands how the Massachusetts criminal justice system works and can provide you with information about where you stand and what your next step should be at every stage throughout your case.
When you work with Attorney Kokonowski, you can face the criminal charges against you with confidence.
He will thoroughly investigate every aspect of the matter at hand in order to unearth powerful evidence that may be used in your favor. He will meet with the prosecution to learn of their tactics and will develop a razor sharp legal strategy.
Don’t wait to get legal help after being charged with a crime. Doing so could cost you your future!
Contact the Criminal Defense Attorney Thomas Kokonowski today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case in detail and to learn more about the legal options you have available to you.