Sex Crimes Defense Attorney in Boston, MA

Defending Against Sex Crime Charges in Massachusetts Since 1991

Massachusetts prosecutes sex crimes aggressively, and the stakes are severe. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265 governs crimes against the person, including rape and assault with intent to commit a sex crime, while Chapter 272 covers offenses against morality and public decency, including indecent exposure and lewdness. What you do in the earliest stages of an investigation can shape everything that follows, including what you say before retaining counsel.

At Gens & Stanton, P.C., we’ve practiced continuously in Massachusetts courts since 1991, giving us over three decades of experience with how sex crime charges are investigated and prosecuted in Suffolk County. That courtroom history informs every strategy we build.

Contact our trusted sex crime defense lawyers in Boston at (617) 206-4675 to schedule a free consultation.

How Boston Courts Handle Sex Crime Cases

Where your case is heard depends on the severity of the charge. The Boston Municipal Court handles matters carrying potential house-of-correction sentences, while more serious felonies, including most rape charges, may be prosecuted in Suffolk County Superior Court. Grand jury indictment is typically the pathway for those felonies to reach Superior Court. Defense strategy can differ significantly between the two venues, from the motions available to the dynamics of negotiating with prosecutors.

Our attorneys have worked in the Boston courts since 1991, building genuine familiarity with the prosecutors, judges, and procedural expectations in Suffolk County. We also hold licenses to practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York, so if charges cross state lines, the same team may be able to represent you.

Why Choose Gens & Stanton, P.C.

  • Direct Attorney Access Through a Boutique Structure: You work directly with the attorney handling your case, not assistants or junior staff unfamiliar with your matter. One of our principal attorneys served as an instructor at Harvard Law School and graduated with honors from Tulane University, bringing analytical depth to motion practice and courtroom arguments. We also handle cases at both the trial and appellate level, so if a verdict is challenged, the same team can pursue the appeal through the Massachusetts Appeals Court or Supreme Judicial Court.
  • Thorough Preparation for Every Case: We analyze every detail and potential defense before stepping into court. A former client described our courtroom performance as powerful and brilliant; another noted that we read through their materials thoroughly and built a strategy specific to their situation. We don’t use a generic approach because your facts are different from everyone else’s.
  • Honest About Costs and Outcomes: Clients consistently note that we’re upfront about fees and realistic about case outcomes from the first conversation. We don’t offer false hope. We give you a clear picture of where things stand. We also work with clients who speak English as a second language, helping reduce language barriers during the defense process.
  • Responsive Communication: We answer calls and emails quickly because waiting for answers creates unnecessary stress when you’re facing a serious charge. You’ll know where your case stands and what comes next.
  • Free Consultations: We offer initial consultations at no cost so you can understand your situation and your options before making any decisions.

Sex Crime Charges We Handle in Massachusetts

A sex crime accusation can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, and personal relationships, consequences that can begin before any conviction. Early intervention, including at the investigation stage before an arrest, can affect whether charges are filed at all and what evidence reaches prosecutors.

We handle the full range of sex crime accusations in Massachusetts, working to uncover every viable defense, whether that means challenging the credibility of evidence, contesting procedural missteps, or negotiating for reduced charges. Understanding the nuances of Massachusetts law is essential, and we’re well-versed in the local procedures and potential outcomes in Suffolk County.

Examples of sex crimes in Massachusetts:

Penalties for Sex Crimes in Massachusetts

Our first goal is to seek dismissal or reduction of charges where the facts and law support that approach. When that isn’t possible, a plea agreement may be reached with prosecutors depending on the nature of the charge. Our sex crime attorneys in Boston can sit down with you, explain your options clearly, and give you realistic expectations for your case.

Statutory Sentencing Ranges

The sentencing ranges in Massachusetts reflect how seriously these charges are treated. Rape under MGL c.265, s.22 can carry up to 20 years in state prison; a second conviction can carry up to life. Aggravated rape causing serious bodily injury can also carry up to life. Statutory rape involving a child under 16 under MGL c.265, s.23 may be punishable by up to life in state prison. Indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 can carry up to 5 years in state prison; on a person under 14, up to 10 years. At the lower end, indecent exposure under MGL c.272, s.53 can carry up to six months in jail.

Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) Classification

A conviction for a qualifying offense can trigger classification by the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB). SORB assigns one of three levels: Level 1 (low risk, information not publicly available), Level 2 (moderate risk, available upon request and through organizations serving vulnerable populations), or Level 3 (high risk, information actively disseminated to the public). Reporting obligations can last 10 years, 20 years, or a lifetime depending on the assigned level, and noncompliance can be charged as a felony. If you receive a preliminary classification notice, a hearing to contest it may need to be requested within 20 days. We can represent you before SORB in classification hearings and, where applicable, in reclassification or appeal proceedings before the Superior Court.

Consequences Beyond the Courtroom

A sex crime conviction doesn’t end with sentencing. Employment background checks, housing applications, and professional licensing decisions are all affected, often for years or decades. Understanding the full scope of what’s at stake is part of how we build a defense strategy, and we advise clients on ways to address long-term consequences from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do If I’m Accused of a Sex Crime in Boston?

Retain an attorney immediately. Don’t make any statements to law enforcement without counsel present. Anything you say before retaining an attorney can be used against you. Contact Gens & Stanton, P.C. to arrange a free consultation. The sooner we get involved, the more options may be available to address what happens next.

How Does Massachusetts Law Define Consent in Sex Crimes?

Massachusetts defines consent as a free and voluntary agreement. Several factors can affect whether consent was legally possible, including age (persons under 16 can’t legally consent), mental capacity, and the influence of alcohol or drugs. How these elements apply to your case depends on the specific facts, and our attorneys can walk you through how Massachusetts courts interpret them and what role they may play in your defense.

Can Prior Reputation Influence a Boston Sex Crimes Case?

It can, depending on how the defense approaches the case. Character witnesses and background information may be relevant in certain circumstances, though past behavior alone doesn’t determine an outcome. We can advise you on whether and how character evidence can be introduced in a way that supports your defense.

What Is the Sex Offender Registry Board, and What Happens If I’m Classified?

SORB classifies individuals convicted of qualifying sex offenses at one of three levels. Level 1 classification isn’t publicly available; Level 2 is available upon request; Level 3 is actively disseminated to the public. Classification can be contested at a hearing, which may need to be requested within 20 days of receiving notice of the preliminary classification. SORB decisions can be appealed to the Superior Court. We can represent you throughout the classification process and, if necessary, through any subsequent appeal.

Call us today at (617) 206-4675 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a sex crime defense lawyer in Boston.