The Defense Desk

Can you get an OUI for sleeping in your car in Massachusetts? Attorney Patrick Winn explains operation, engine-off cases, and parked-car DUI defenses.

What does a Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer cost? Patrick Winn explains his $275 hourly rate, retainers, and typical $1,500 clerk-magistrate hearing flat fee.

Unlike most other states, operating uninsured is a criminal charge in Massachusetts. See how proof of current insurance helped one client resolve the case before arraignment.

Should you take a CWOF or fight a first-offense OUI in Massachusetts? Learn how a CWOF compares with a guilty finding for your record, job, and license.

Accused of shoplifting at self-checkout? Learn how attorney Patrick Winn prevented a criminal complaint in Haverhill despite surveillance video.

A Clerk-Magistrate hearing can be an opportunity to prevent criminal charges from issuing. Here’s what happens at the hearing and why the outcome matters.

Facing a misdemeanor charge in Woburn District Court? Learn what happens next and how a defense attorney can protect your rights, guide you through court, and ease your stress and worry.

Facing a restraining order in Massachusetts? Patrick Winn explains 209A and 258E hearings, evidence, testimony risks, and how a defense lawyer can help.

A call from the police can leave you wondering what happens next. I explain how criminal charges begin in Massachusetts and what you can do to protect yourself before a case reaches court.

Are you entitled to a clerk-magistrate hearing in Massachusetts? Learn who qualifies and how an attorney can help prevent criminal charges while easing the stress and uncertainty of the process.

Have an outstanding arrest warrant in Massachusetts? Attorney Patrick Winn explains how to check your case, prepare for a voluntary court appearance, seek release without cash bail, and take practical steps to clear the warrant. Contact Winn Law, P.C. for a free consultation.

Should you take or refuse a breathalyzer in Massachusetts? Learn your rights, the consequences for your license, and how an OUI defense attorney can help protect your options.

Massachusetts licenses and taxes a cannabis market while federal law still restricts it. What that conflict means for marijuana possession, sales, and criminal charges.

Can police search your car because it smells like weed? Learn Massachusetts marijuana search rules, possession limits, and when evidence can be suppressed.

Compare Massachusetts incarceration rates for men and women, understand sentencing research, and learn what matters when defending a criminal case.