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Drug Crimes

Massachusetts Drug Crimes Overview

A drug is any biological substance that is consumed for non-dietary or non-medical purposes. In the United States., drugs are categorized as legal or illegal. Illegal drugs include, but are not limited to: marijuana, heroin, cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy, or unauthorized prescription drugs like Vicodin. State and federal statues strictly prohibit the use, manufacture, or distribution of all illegal drugs. If a person uses, sells, possesses, or manufactures an illegal drug, he/she can be charged with a drug crime.

Drug crimes are very serious in nature and should never be taken lightly. A person who is charged with a drug crime faces life-changing legal consequences. In Massachusetts, drug crimes are prosecuted severely by law enforcement and District Attorneys. Due to a continual increase in drug related crimes, the state and federal government have adopted firmer drug laws and legal punishments.

Types of Drug Crimes

There are many types of drug crimes. The most common drug crimes in Massachusetts include: drug possession, drug possession with intent to sale, drug manufacturing, and drug distribution.

  • Drug possession is the crime of having one or more illegal narcotics in one’s possession for personal use, for sale, or for distribution.
  • Drug possession with intent to distribute is the crime of having one or more illegal narcotics in one’s possession with the intention of selling the narcotics. If a person is found guilty of drug possession with intent to sell to a minor (person below the legal age of 18), he/she faces enhanced criminal charges and sentencing.
  • Drug manufacturing is the crime of producing unlawful controlled substances.
  • Drug distribution is the crime of smuggling, transporting, or delivering illegal narcotics.
Boston Drug Crime Punishments

When a person is charged with a drug crime, law enforcement will take into consideration the type of drug possessed, the quantity of the drug possessed, the purpose of the drug’s possession, and if the drug was distributed to minors. A person may have his/her charges enhanced if he/she used minors to distribute drugs, sold to minors, or sold drugs on school property.

A person that is charged with a drug crime such as drug possession, drug distribution, or drug manufacturing, faces a variety of punishments if convicted. Convicted drug offenders may be sentenced with:

  • Imprisonment
  • Monetary fines
  • Court mandated drug rehabilitative programs
  • Probation
  • Drug offender registration
  • Community service
Massachusetts Drug Crimes Attorney

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Boston, it is to your advantage to speak with a qualified drug crime attorney. If convicted, you will face life altering punishments. You cannot afford to take your drug crime charges lightly. By hiring an experienced attorney, you can ensure that your rights are not violated and that you receive the legal representation you need to successfully combat your drug charges.

Attorney Neyman has won Several Narcotics Trafficking Cases Involving Hand to Hand Sales to Undercover Police Officers

1. Suffolk Superior Court Docket Number 9125003

The defendant in this case was well known to the Boston Police and State Police as a drug trafficker. For several months the state police had been investigating the defendant for narcotics distribution and trafficking in the Boston and greater Boston areas. As part of an ongoing operation an undercover state trooper posing as a drug purchaser bought a large quantity of cocaine from the defendant. An indictment subsequently issued and the defendant was looking at a mandatory minimum 10 years in state prison. Prior to trial our office was able to locate an informant in an Arizona prison who provided Attorney Neyman with information not previously disclosed concerning the integrity of the police investigation and conduct. This information proved to be useful to the defendant's case and fatal to the prosecutor's case and resulted in an acquittal of the defendant by a jury.

2. Suffolk Superior Court Docket Number 9211679

The defendant in this case was in his late teens. He was a local college student taking a semester off from school. The prosecution alleged that he was working his way up the narcotics distribution ladder gradually becoming a player in the Boston area. This incident involved numerous "controlled buys" where a narcotics distributor was working undercover for the state police. The undercover individual or informant purchased increasingly greater quantities of cocaine from the defendant while under surveillance from law enforcement officials. As the informant obtained the defendant's confidence the defendant was introduced to an undercover state police officer posing as an interested buyer. A deal was negotiated with the defendant for a quantity of cocaine in excess of 200 grams. The defendant sold the cocaine to the undercover officer and was charged. He faced a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in state prison. Attorney Neyman tried the case to a superior court jury and the defendant was acquitted.

3. Middlesex Superior Court Docket Number 9300913

The defendant in this case had just been released from prison and was working in a restaurant in a Boston suburb. The prosecution alleged that he working his way back into the drug trafficking business quickly. He was targeted by state and local police as a suspect in a large heroin trafficking ring. Undercover state police officers gained the defendant's confidence through known drug customers and began negotiating for the purchase of large quantities of heroin. On several occasions the defendant sold to these undercover officers. Each time the quantity of heroin increased. Indictments issued and the defendant faced a minimum mandatory 15 years in state prison. Attorney Neyman obtained a jury verdict acquitting the defendant of these charges.

Stephen Neyman, P.C. is a reputable drug crimes attorney located in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Neyman has helped numerous clients fight their drug crimes charges and obtain favorable case outcomes. If you’ve been charged with a drug crime in Boston, trust the experience and the legal expertise of Attorney Stephen Neyman. Contact us online or call 617-263-6800.

Case Results » Drug Crimes
  • Drug Charges and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle Against Nurse Dismissed

    In March of 2023, our client, a nurse, was pulled over for erratic driving. According to the police report, our client was angry about being stopped. She became belligerent and confrontational to the officers. As a result she was asked to exit the car. She became even more agitated and began using profane language towards the officers. Believing she might be impaired the officers conducted a pat frisk and found drugs in  her possession. Specifically, class B drugs and Class C drugs. She was arrested and charged with illegal possession of drugs under G.L. c. 94C section 34 and negligent operation of a motor vehicle under G.L. c. 90 section 24. Our office was retained to represent the woman. Today, based on constitutional violations and an inability to properly prosecute these crimes was succeeded in getting these charges dismissed. 

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  • Charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute Class B Substance Against School Nurse Dismissed

    Our client is a school nurse with nearly 40 years of experience. In February of 2022 she was a passenger in a car being driven by her teenage son. The son had just obtained his learner's permit and wanted to get money for concert tickets had bought for friends. The son pulled the car into a country club parking lot and made the exchange. The mother remained in the car. Unbeknownst to the mother, her son was actually selling adderall to an undercover police officer. The son was arrested and charged with distribution of a class B substance. The mother was charged with possession with intent to distribute a class B substance as a joint venturer under G.L. c. 94C section 32A. Attorney Neyman was hired. Today, we were able to get the case dismissed. 

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  • Drug Trafficking Charges Requiring 15 Year Minimum Mandatory Sentence Dismissed

    Earlier this month we succeeded in getting a default warrant removed for this client. She was charged with  trafficking G.L. c. 94C section 32E and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, a class B substance, G.L. c. 94C section 32A. Our investigation of the case, corroborated by a very fair prosecutor revealed that the prosecution of this case would not likely be successful. Accordingly, we prevailed upon the district attorney's office to nolle prosse all charges against our client. 

    Read More in Drug Crimes

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"We went to trial and won. He saved me fifteen years mandatory in state prison for this case." A.C. Boston, Massachusetts
★★★★★
"I hired him and he got the case dismissed before I had to go into a courtroom. My school never found out and if they had I would have lost my academic scholarships. He really saved my college career." Melissa C. Cold Spring, New York, October 2013
★★★★★
"My union rep told me to call Steve Neyman. From the get go I felt comfortable with him. He took the time to talk to me about my case whenever I needed .... He even gave me his personal cell number and took all my calls. We won the case and I kept my job." Bart L. S.
★★★★★
"The best criminal defense lawyer in Massachusetts. Takes all of his client's calls at any time of the day or night. He was always there for me and my family. Steve saved my life." Jacquille D. Brockton, Massachusetts
★★★★★
"In less than two months Stephen Neyman got my old conviction vacated. I now have no criminal record." Paul W. Boston, Massachusetts