Massachusetts criminal law is among the more complex bodies of state criminal law in the country. The Commonwealth has its own statutes, its own court procedures, its own standards for evidence and prosecution, and its own range of potential penalties for various offenses. What works in a criminal case in Texas or Florida will not necessarily work here. What a general practice attorney knows about criminal defense may not be sufficient to handle a serious OUI case or a firearms charge in a Massachusetts court.
This is not an abstract concern. Experience in this specific system — with these specific laws, these specific judges, and these specific prosecutors — is what makes the difference between a case that is handled well and a case that is not.
At Milligan & Higgins, we have spent over forty years building that experience. Our firm focuses specifically on OUI defense and criminal defense in Massachusetts, and we bring to every case the kind of detailed, specialized knowledge that comes only from years of doing this work in these courts. Attorney Milligan is board certified in OUI defense, which reflects a rigorous standard of demonstrated expertise in one of the most technically complex areas of criminal law. He personally selects every trial attorney at the firm — each bringing a minimum of three years as a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office and completing rigorous training to become the best in OUI and criminal defense.
What This Moment Requires of You
If you or someone you love is facing criminal charges in Massachusetts, here is what this moment requires of you:
Don’t talk to police without an attorney. Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to counsel. Do it politely and clearly. Then stop discussing the facts of your case until you have an attorney.
Don’t delay seeking representation. The earlier you have an attorney engaged, the more your attorney can do to protect your interests. Do not wait to see how things develop.
Don’t assume the worst. The charge you are facing is the beginning of a process, not the end of one. Many cases that look alarming at first glance result in outcomes far better than the defendant initially feared.
Don’t try to navigate this alone. The Massachusetts criminal justice system is not designed for self-representation. The procedural complexity, the specific knowledge of local courts and prosecutors, and the strategic judgment required at each stage of a case are things that take years to develop. An experienced defense attorney is not a luxury in a serious criminal matter — it is a necessity.
A Note to Families
We want to say something directly to the families who may be reading this alongside a loved one who is facing charges. Your role matters enormously. The support you provide, the calm you bring to a frightening situation, and the decisions you help make in the early days of a case can shape everything that follows.
One of those decisions — perhaps the most important one — is helping your loved one choose the right attorney. Choosing someone with real experience, specific knowledge, and a genuine commitment to your family member’s wellbeing is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
The Path Forward Begins Now
Whatever brought you to this moment — however frightening it feels right now — know that there is a path forward. Criminal charges do not define you. The outcome of your case is not determined by the charge alone. The decisions you make in the coming days and weeks, including the decision to get informed and get the right help, will shape what comes next.
We wrote this guide because we believe that knowledge is the foundation of effective defense. The more you understand about the process you are facing, the better equipped you are to participate in your own defense, to ask the right questions, and to make the decisions that serve your long-term interests.
Knowledge is the first step. And you have already taken it.
Milligan & Higgins is a premier OUI and criminal defense firm in Massachusetts, with over forty years of collective experience. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, we are here to help.
Watch our firm video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx-X_9CssZo&t=2s
Contact Milligan & Higgins for a free consultation or second opinion. Please send us an email: Intake@milliganhiggins.com or call 781-878-1231.
