Criminal Law

Consultations are provided in Newton, Massachusetts. Attorney Spetter travels to district courts throughout the region to represent clients.

Criminal Defense:

• Pre-Arrest:
  • Attorney Spetter assists clients at the investigation stage. She speaks with the police and those seeking to have charges filed. Attorney Spetter tries to resolve the matter and prevent the arrest and bringing of charges against her client.
• Post-Arrest
  • Probable Cause Hearings (in the District Courts):
    • Probable cause hearings are held before formal charges are brought (or “filed”) by the district attorney’s office.  Attorney Spetter attends the hearing with her client. A magistrate presides over the hearing and decides if there is sufficient cause for the case to go forward. If probable cause is found, the case is referred to the district attorney’s office.That office files formal charges, and the court sets an arraignment date. If there is no finding of probable cause, the client wins. The case is dismissed. No charges are filed by the district attorney.
  • Restraining Orders – Attorney Spetter will assist you in vacating an existing restraining order, or in challenging the renewal of a restraining order.
    • 209A Abuse Prevention Orders – An abuse prevention order is sought by a party against a family member or a person (s)he has been involved in an intimate relationship with.
    • 258e Civil Harassment Prevention Orders- A harassment prevention order is sought by a party against a person (s)he is not related to, and has not had an intimate relationship with.
  • Arraignment
  • Pre-Trial
  • Post-Trial
  • Probation Violations
  • Sealing and Expunging of Criminal Records – Cleaning up the CORI
    • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently changed the laws related to the sealing of one’s criminal record.  Depending upon the type of charge (misdemeanor or felony), and the age of the case, a party can move to have his or her record sealed.  Sometimes the record is sealed as a matter of right through an administrative process. In other cases, the decision about whether to seal the case is made by a judge

Attorney Spetter Represents Crime Victims:

• Immediately following the crime
• At the Probable Cause Hearing
  • The district attorney’s office is not involved in the case until after probable cause has been found, at this hearing.
  • If probable cause is not established by the victim of the crime, charges will not be filed, and there will be no case.
  • It is imperative that the crime victim convince the presiding magistrate, through testimony, that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.
• At the sentencing hearing
  • Victim Impact Statement – Attorney Spetter will help you to prepare your written victim impact statement for use by the district attorney and the judge. She will attend the sentencing hearing with you, and either present your wishes regarding sentencing to the judge, or assist you in making the presentation yourself.
• Restraining Orders
  • Getting a Restraining Order
  • Renewing an Order which is expiring