Boston Criminal Defense Attorney –
Massachusetts Criminal Defense
If you have been accused of a crime, arrested, summonsed to court, or contacted by law enforcement about a possible criminal investigation, you may not know what to do next. The
decisions you make early in a criminal case can matter.
I am Susan M. Rayburn, a Boston criminal defense attorney who has practiced criminal defense in Massachusetts for more than 27 years. I represent people facing serious criminal allegations in
the Boston area and throughout Massachusetts.
My approach is straightforward: I listen to you, learn what happened, examine the evidence and the law, explain your options, and develop a defense strategy based on your particular
circumstances.
No two criminal cases are exactly alike, and I do not believe there is one formula for defending them.
When you are accused of a crime, you need to be able to trust your lawyer.
I believe trust is essential to an effective attorney-client relationship. You should know that your lawyer is listening to you, understands your case, gives you honest advice, and is working to protect your rights.
That also means telling you what you may not want to hear when that is what the circumstances require. My responsibility is not simply to tell you what you want to hear. It is to give you candid legal advice so that you can make informed decisions about your case.
After more than 27 years practicing criminal defense, I understand that every client and every case is different. The strategy that makes sense in one case may make no sense in another.
A criminal defense attorney does much more than appear in court.
I begin by listening and understanding what has happened from your perspective. I then examine the allegations, the available evidence, the applicable law, and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Depending on the case, that may involve:
- investigating the allegations;
- reviewing police reports and other discovery;
- locating and interviewing witnesses;
- examining documentary, electronic, or other evidence;
- identifying legal and constitutional issues;
- filing and litigating pretrial motions;
- conducting evidentiary hearings;
- negotiating with prosecutors when appropriate;
- preparing for trial; and,
- representing you in court when litigation is necessary.
The appropriate approach depends on the facts, the evidence, the charges, and your individual
circumstances.
What Should I Do If I Am Arrested?
If you are arrested, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
You generally do not need to answer substantive questions about the allegations simply because police want to question you. Statements made during an investigation can become evidence in a criminal case.
Provide information you are legally required to provide, but if police want to discuss the facts of
a criminal allegation with you, it is generally wise to speak with a criminal defense attorney
before answering substantive questions.
If you have already spoken with police, that does not mean there is nothing that can be done. I can examine the circumstances and determine what issues may need to be addressed.
Learn more about the types of criminal cases I handle:
Domestic Violence Offenses
Sex Offenses
Firearms Offenses
Human Trafficking
Crimes Of Violence
Larceny Offenses
Assault & Battery
Clerk Magistrate Hearing
Homicide
You have the right to remain silent and to consult with an attorney.
Do not assume that talking to police will make the situation go away. Before deciding whether to participate in an interview, it is important to understand what is being investigated and what information law enforcement may already have.
If you are contacted while you are under investigation but have not yet been charged, obtaining legal advice early may be particularly important.