If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, or if you were wrongfully accused of a crime you did not commit, you need a Cape Cod criminal defense lawyer who will fight to protect your rights. Criminal charges can weigh heavily on your present and future; don’t face them alone without proper legal representation by your side.
Nate Amendola Defense provides compassionate and empathetic legal advocacy, paired with our uncompromising dedication and years of experience handling a wide range of criminal defense cases. A criminal defense lawyer in Cape Cod with our team is ready to guide you through the legal process and make your voice heard — call us now at our office, start a chat with us online, or submit a form with your information and case details to get in touch.
Rights Police Don’t Want You to Know
Being questioned, arrested, or detained by police can be a nerve-wracking experience. When you interact with police, you have important rights that can protect you:
You Can Remain Silent
You don’t have to talk to the police or answer their questions, that’s your Fifth Amendment right. If you’re arrested, you can choose to say nothing that might get you in trouble. This is called your right to remain silent.
You Can Say No to Searches
Police need a warrant or your explicit permission to search you, your home, your vehicle, or your business. You can refuse to consent to a search if they don’t have a proper warrant. However, your vehicle can be searched without a warrant if the police have probable cause to believe it contains evidence of a crime.
You Can Stop Talking to Police
If the police question you, tell them you want to speak to a lawyer. Once you say this, they must stop asking you questions. It’s natural to want to defend yourself, but you should be aware that anything you say to the police could be used against you in court and cause unintended consequences.
You Get a Phone Call
After being arrested, you have the right to call a lawyer or a family member. If you call a lawyer, the police can’t listen to that conversation.
You Can Leave
Unless you’re officially under arrest, you can leave a police station or end a conversation with a police officer. If you’re unsure if you’re free to go, you can ask, “Am I being detained?”
You Can Ask To See a Search Warrant
If police have a warrant to search your home, you can ask them to read it to you and request a copy from the police department or through the online public court records system, unless it is sealed.
For a free legal consultation with a Criminal Defense lawyer serving Cape Cod, call (781) 740-0800
Criminal Charges in Cape Cod We Defend
A criminal record can affect your relationships, employment, housing, and reputation, we know what’s at stake when legal consequences are involved. Good people make mistakes, but they don’t have to define the rest of your life. Whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, we handle a range of cases:
- Assault and Battery: “Assault” and “battery” are two different elements; understanding the difference between them is essential to understanding the charges against you. Potential outcomes could include fines and jail or prison time, so having the right criminal defense lawyer is crucial.
- Domestic Violence: Domestic violence charges can extend to household members and family members, not just romantic partners or spouses. Criminal charges associated with domestic violence include criminal harassment, stalking, assault, and battery on a family or household member.
- Clerk Magistrate Hearings: During a clerk magistrate hearing, the clerk magistrate will decide whether probable cause exists to believe a criminal offense has been committed, or if there is insufficient evidence to the complaint. Having an aggressive Cape Cod criminal defense lawyer as your legal representation could result in case dismissal, which helps you avoid criminal charges.
- Cape Cod Property Crimes Lawyer: If you have been accused of taking, destroying, or misusing another person’s property, you could be charged with a property crime such as theft (larceny), robbery, or burglary. Property crimes also include shoplifting, vandalism, and arson. The severity of the consequences depends on the property’s value, the circumstances of the alleged crime, and whether a prior criminal record exists.
- Gun Charges: Massachusetts gun laws are notoriously strict, and violations could result in mandatory minimum sentences in jail or prison. An arrest or charge for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of an illegal firearm, or possessing a firearm while committing or attempting to commit a felony, the complexity of Massachusetts gun laws warrants skilled and experienced legal representation. We will build a defense to reduce or dismiss gun charges and ensure that the impact on your life is minimal.
- Drug Possession Charges: The penalties for drug possession depend on the type and class of the controlled substance involved. Massachusetts classifies drugs into five categories, A, B, C, D, and E, with E being the most egregious. Drug possession charges can have far-reaching collateral consequences, such as suspension of professional licenses, suspension of your driver’s license, and gun ownership rights. If there are subsequent offenses involving drug possession, the penalties could increase depending on the circumstances of your case. Having a criminal defense lawyer in Cape Cod to explore possible defenses or alternative resolutions can help safeguard your future.
- Sex Crimes: In Massachusetts, sex crimes represent a complex legal category with the potential for significant legal consequences. The state’s criminal justice system comprehensively addresses these crimes through Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, which details various sexual offenses and their penalties. The sentencing for sex crimes entails multiple factors, including the nature of the specific criminal act, the age of the victim, and any circumstances that could increase the severity of punishment. If you are accused of a sex crime, call our office immediately – we offer a free, 100% confidential consultation with a seasoned criminal defense attorney who will defend you against these charges.
- Violent Crimes: Charges for violent crimes typically involve the use of physical force, weapons, or threats of violence against others. Assault and battery, rape and sexual assault, armed robbery, kidnapping, domestic violence, carjacking, and arson are considered violent crimes in Massachusetts. Fines, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record are just a few possible penalties for conviction.
- Juvenile Crimes: The Massachusetts juvenile justice system typically handles cases involving minors between ages 12 and 18. If your child has been arrested or charged with a crime as a juvenile offender, you should know their legal rights and protections against adult sentencing. Realizing that your child could face severe consequences that could endanger their future and affect their opportunities for college, employment, and freedom can be distressing as a parent.
We have handled countless juvenile defense cases and will aggressively defend your child in court as their trusted legal advocate. The Commonwealth has many juvenile justice system resources and programs that support rehabilitation to help youthful offenders avoid recidivism and harmful behaviors. Contact a Cape Cod criminal defense lawyer with Nate Amendola Defense today to protect your child’s rights.
- White Collar Crimes: White-collar crimes are considered nonviolent offenses that typically include business people, politicians, and corporate employees. The usual charges associated with white-collar crime include fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, insider trading, conspiracy, and destruction of property. It’s important to know that these crimes could entail potential punishments such as fines, restitution, and even imprisonment.
Cape Cod Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (781) 740-0800
How a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cape Cod Can Help
We understand the nuanced legal landscape of Massachusetts criminal law and can offer 1:1 guidance through the complex judicial system. By carefully reviewing police reports, examining evidence, and identifying potential procedural errors or constitutional violations, we develop strategic defense approaches tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. At Nate Amendola Defense, our team will do the following:
- Listen to your story, offer legal advice, and answer any questions
- Conduct an in-depth investigation into the criminal charges against you
- Provide clear communication to inform your decisions about legal strategy
- Explain and evaluate your options in the legal system
- Take legal action to fight the charges, protect your legal rights and freedom
- Skillfully represent you in court before a judge and opposing counsel with confidence
- Negotiate for reduced charges, alternative sentencing options or build a vigorous trial defense
Nate Amendola will be a protective buffer between you and law enforcement, ensuring your rights are respected throughout the legal process. As an experienced Cape Cod criminal defense attorney, he will go toe-to-toe with opposing counsel with unshakeable resolve.
Call or text (781) 740-0800 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form