The Brief
What You Need to Know. No More, No Less.
How to Avoid Criminal Charges in Massachusetts
Not all criminal cases have to result in charges. With the right intervention at the right time, it’s sometimes possible to avoid prosecution altogether.
Not all criminal cases result in charges. In Massachusetts, there are ways to stop a case before it even starts—especially for misdemeanors or first-time offenses.
Some key opportunities to avoid charges:
- Clerk magistrate hearings: If you receive a notice for one of these, you haven’t been charged yet.
- Police contact before filing: If police are still “investigating,” a lawyer can sometimes intervene.
- Civilian applications: In minor disputes, a lawyer can resolve the issue before it escalates.
Avoiding charges entirely means no arraignment, no record, and no public court case. Start early with an experienced attorney.