Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Cambridge

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

  617-349-3300 is the non-emergency contact number of the Cambridge Police Department.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Cambridge, Massachusetts?

  The Cambridge Police Department provides different options to obtain a police report. One can request it electronically by filling out the Application for Public Records form and emailing it to records@cambridgepolice.org or by downloading and filling out the printable version of the form and sending it to the department via mail. In-person requests can also be made at the Records Unit during office hours. Appointments can be made online or by contacting the department.

  Application for Public Records form: https://www.cambridgema.gov/~/media/Files/policedepartment/Forms/applicatforpublicrecordwithnofeestemplate.pdf

  Mailing address:

  Cambridge Police Department Records Unit 125 Sixth St. Cambridge, MA 02142

• What are some possible defenses to criminal charges in Cambridge?

  Possible defenses to criminal charges in Cambridge include the defense of accident, mistaken identity, self-defense, entrapment, duress, intoxication with alcohol or drugs, lack of criminal responsibility (insanity), and mental impairment short of insanity. The evidence required for each defense varies. For example, an alibi defense may require the identification and address of witnesses, whereas an entrapment defense may require evidence that the police coerced the defendant into committing the offense.

• What should you do if you have been charged with a crime in Cambridge?

  If you have been charged with a crime, it is essential to speak with a criminal defense lawyer in Cambridge as soon as possible. Do not speak with law enforcement or other authorities until you have consulted with an attorney. Your lawyer can help protect your rights and guide you through the legal process.

• Can any criminal record be expunged or sealed in Cambridge?

  No. Expunging or sealing criminal records in Cambridge is not possible for all types of criminal records. Records that are kept by the probation department or the clerk's magistrate office, along with vacated abuse prevention orders, are some examples of records that cannot be expunged or sealed.

• How long will it take to clear your criminal record in Cambridge?

  Depending on the nature of the crime, it takes a certain amount of time to clear a criminal record in Cambridge. The sealing process allows certain criminal records to be sealed to prevent access to them through general records. If a case has been dismissed, the record may be sealed immediately after the dismissal. Misdemeanor offenses can be sealed after five years, while felonies require a ten-year waiting period. A person must wait 15 years before petitioning for the sealing of a sexual offense, and certain offenses cannot be sealed.

• Can the police refuse a detainee's access to a telephone in Cambridge?

  No, the police cannot legally refuse a detainee's access to a telephone in Cambridge. Under Massachusetts law, a detainee has the right to use a telephone to reach family, friends, or a criminal defense attorney. The police are obligated to inform the detainee of this right upon arrival at the police station, the detainee must be informed of this right. If the police deny a defendant the right to use a telephone, any evidence gained as a result of that denial may be suppressed in court.