Cape Cod Drug Crime Defense Attorney
Trial-tested defense for drug crimes charges in the Barnstable, Orleans, and Falmouth courts and across Massachusetts.
A drug charge can follow you long after the case is over, affecting your job, your housing, your professional license, and your future. Massachusetts treats narcotics offenses seriously, and the gap between simple possession and “possession with intent to distribute” can turn on little more than how the substance was packaged.
I defend the full range of controlled-substance charges across Cape Cod and the Commonwealth, and I focus first on the search. Most drug cases rise or fall on whether the police had the legal right to stop, search, and seize.
Possession versus intent to distribute
The charge you face depends heavily on the surrounding facts, not just the drug itself. Prosecutors point to quantity, packaging, cash, scales, and phones to argue intent to distribute, which carries far harsher penalties than personal possession under § 34. A large part of my work is pushing back on that inference and keeping a possession case from being over-charged as a dealing case.
The search is usually the case
The Fourth Amendment and Article 14 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights protect you from unreasonable searches. If the police stopped your car without cause, searched without a valid warrant or exception, or held you longer than the law allows, I move to suppress the evidence. When a suppression motion succeeds, the Commonwealth’s case often collapses entirely.
Alternatives to a conviction
For many clients, especially those struggling with substance use, the goal is not just an acquittal but a path forward. Depending on your record, options can include pretrial diversion, a continuance without a finding (CWOF), drug-court programs, and treatment-based resolutions that protect your record. I will tell you honestly which of these is realistic in your case.
FAQ: Drug Crimes
Common questions and answers regarding drug crimes charges in Massachusetts.
Is marijuana still illegal in Massachusetts?
Adult recreational use is legal within state limits, but you can still be charged for possession over the legal amount, distribution without a license, or operating under the influence of marijuana. Quantity and intent still matter.
What is the difference between possession and trafficking?
Possession under § 34 is about having a controlled substance for personal use. Trafficking is defined by weight thresholds and carries mandatory minimum prison sentences. Distribution (§§ 32–32C) sits in between. Which one you face can hinge on a few grams, which is why early defense work is critical.
Can a drug charge be dismissed if the search was illegal?
Frequently, yes. If I can show the stop or search violated the Fourth Amendment or Article 14, the court can suppress the drugs as evidence. Without that evidence, the Commonwealth often has no case left to prosecute.
Let's Talk About Your Case Today
Your first consultation is free and completely confidential. Tell me what happened, and I'll tell you honestly where you stand and what your options are.