The Brief
What You Need to Know. No More, No Less.
What Happens After a Criminal Conviction in Massachusetts?
Many people think a conviction is the end of the case but it’s often just the start of the next phase. Here’s what happens after sentencing, what rights you still have, and how to challenge the result.
A conviction in Massachusetts doesn’t necessarily mean your case is over. It simply moves into a different stage. After a guilty finding, the court imposes a sentence, which can include jail time, probation, fines, community service, or other conditions. What happens next depends on the charge, your criminal history, and whether you want to challenge the result.
Even after sentencing, you still have important rights. One of those is the right to appeal. An appeal is not a new trial, but a review of what happened in the lower court. You can argue that errors in the trial, the jury instructions, or the admission of evidence affected the outcome. If an appellate court agrees, it can reverse the conviction or send the case back for further proceedings. In some cases, you can also ask the court to postpone your sentence while the appeal is pending.
You may also be able to file a motion for a new trial. This is used when new evidence becomes available, or when you can show that your attorney’s performance fell below constitutional standards. For example, if your lawyer failed to call a key witness or didn’t file a motion that could have changed the result, you may have grounds to reopen the case. The same is true if you later discover evidence that the prosecution failed to disclose.
Other post-conviction options include motions to revise or revoke a sentence and record relief such as sealing or expungement. These remedies can lessen the impact of a conviction or even remove it from public view in certain cases. Although each process has strict requirements and deadlines, they provide meaningful opportunities for a second chance.
A conviction often feels final, but under Massachusetts law, it rarely is. Knowing what steps you can take after sentencing can make a real difference in the outcome of your case. Whether it’s an appeal, a motion for new trial, or a record-sealing petition, there are still paths forward for defendants who want to correct an injustice or move on with their lives.
What Is Restitution in a Massachusetts Criminal Case?
Restitution is court-ordered payment to a victim for damages caused by a crime. Learn how it’s calculated and challenged in Massachusetts.
In Massachusetts, restitution is money you may be ordered to pay to a victim after a conviction or admission. It’s meant to cover the victim’s actual losses, not to punish you further.
Restitution typically applies in cases involving property damage, theft, or physical harm. If someone’s window was broken, car was stolen, or medical bills were incurred, the court may order you to pay those costs back as part of your sentence or probation.
But the amount has to be proven. The Commonwealth must show that the losses were caused by the crime and are reasonably documented. I’ve challenged restitution amounts where the paperwork didn’t match up, or the victim tried to include things that weren’t related.
You also have a right to a restitution hearing. If you dispute the amount, the court will hold a hearing and let both sides present evidence. Sometimes restitution can be reduced or eliminated depending on your financial situation or the strength of the claim.
Restitution isn’t automatic, and it’s not the same as civil damages. If you’re facing a demand to pay money in a criminal case, I can help protect your rights and fight for a fair result.
What Happens If You Violate Probation in Massachusetts?
Probation violations are serious. Learn what happens in Massachusetts if you're accused of violating probation—and how a lawyer can help.
If you're on probation in Massachusetts and accused of violating the terms, the court can hit you with serious consequences—fast.
Probation violations can be for new arrests, failing drug tests, missing appointments, or even technical issues like moving without permission. Once a violation is alleged, the court will usually schedule a surrender hearing. At that hearing, the probation officer presents the violation, and you have the right to challenge it.
You’re not entitled to a jury at a violation hearing, and the standard of proof is lower than at trial. That means it’s easier for the court to find a violation—even if the original charge is still pending or gets dismissed later.
If the judge finds you in violation, they can:
- Add new conditions
- Extend your probation
- Sentence you to jail or prison
I regularly represent clients in probation violation hearings. The best outcomes happen when you act fast, explain your side clearly, and have a plan to fix the issue. In many cases, I’ve been able to resolve the violation without jail and keep clients on track.