News In The Firm
J. W. Carney Jr. is one of the most successful criminal defense attorneys in Massachusetts, if not the country. He and the legal team at our firm accomplish results for clients facing all types of criminal charges. View just some of our case results below and email us if you need help today.
SEXUAL OFFENSES
Two counts of Aggravated Rape and One count of Indecent Assault and Battery
Result: All charges dismissed
Our client, a prominent doctor, was accused of aggravated rape and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in Worcester County. The Commonwealth tried to admit a well-known expert at trial to testify about the generalities of delayed disclosers in rape cases. Working a team, J.W. Carney, Jr. & and Associates filed a motion to exclude such testimony on the grounds that an expert may not comment on the credibility of a witness. The judge granted the motion. The morning of trial, the prosecutor dismissed all charges against our client.
Three Counts of Indecent Assault and Battery
Verdict: Not Guilty of Indecent Assault and Battery
After a jury trial in Barnstable County, our client, a prominent doctor, was acquitted on all three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14. The jury was out less than 30 minutes before completely exonerating our client of all charges.
Rape
Verdict: Not Guilty of Rape
Our client, a doctor, was accused of four counts of rape in Suffolk Superior Court. He retained J. W. Carney, Jr. and Associates who brought the case to trial. After a week of trial, the court declared a mistrial as the jury found our client not guilty on one count but hung on the other three. After facing Attorney Carney’s vigorous cross examination during the first trial, the alleged victim did not want to pursue the case any further. The Commonwealth dismissed the remaining counts against our client.
Dissemination of Obscene Material
Result: Charges Dismissed
Our client was charged with dissemination of obscene material for uploading two videos of his former romantic partner to an amateur adult website without the partner’s consent. Several other adult websites published these videos across the internet. Attorney Nat Carney prepared a motion to dismiss the charge against our client on First Amendment grounds. It was opposed by the Commonwealth. The Plymouth County judge agreed with the defense’s arguments and granted Attorney Carney’s motion to dismiss. Attorney Carney subsequently expunged this charge from our client’s record.
Photographing an Unsuspecting Nude Person
Result: Charges Dismissed
Our client was a banker charged with upskirting young women. Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. and the associates prepared and presented a detailed letter to the District Attorney’s office and the Court about our client. After that submission, the Court accepted Attorney Carney’s argument that the Client be placed on probation for two years before the charges would be dismissed. In 2020, the charges were dismissed.
Rape
Result: Rape charge dismissed
Our client, a 47-year-old professional, was indicted in Essex Superior Court on four counts of rape, strangulation, assault and battery on a household member, intimidation of a witness, and larceny over $250. Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. and his associates prepared the case for trial. On the morning of jury selection, Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. negotiated a plea that resulted in the dismissal of the rape charges and a sentence of 3 years’ probation on the remaining charges.
HOMICIDE
First Degree Murder
Verdict: Not Guilty
Our client was charged with first-degree murder in Middlesex County after stabbing a woman to death at a library. Both defense and Commonwealth experts evaluated our client for mental illness and found that he was insane at the time he committed the offense. After a bench trial, the judge found our client not guilty because of his severe mental illness.
Vehicular Manslaughter
Result: No Charges Filed
Our client was driving down a dark road in Worcester when she fatally struck a pedestrian. We worked closely with the investigating law enforcement agency and hired our own experts to show that this was a tragic accident. Law enforcement agreed and there were no charges pressed against our client.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Result: Conviction Vacated
A Hampshire County jury convicted our client, a University of Massachusetts student, of involuntary manslaughter for dealing heroin to an individual who fatally overdosed on the drug. Attorney Carney and his associates took this case all the way to the Supreme Judicial Court arguing that mere drug distribution resulting in a fatal overdose is insufficient to establish the mens rea (i.e., the intent element) for involuntary manslaughter. Compelled by Attorney Carney’s argument, the Supreme Judicial Court reversed and vacated our client’s involuntary manslaughter conviction.
First Degree Murder
Result: Favorable Plea Offer Avoiding Two Life Sentences
Our client, a 31-year-old from Boston, was indicted in Suffolk Superior Court on two counts of First-Degree Murder stemming from a 2003 drive-by shooting. Federal and local law enforcement apprehended our client after he had been a fugitive for nearly ten years. Our firm prepared the case for trial. On the morning of jury selection, Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. negotiated a guilty plea that allowed our client to plead guilty to accessory after the fact to murder with five years to serve in state prison. This allowed our client to avoid the risk of two life sentences if convicted of murder at trial.
VIOLENT OFFENSES
Assault and Battery on a Police Officer and Unlicensed Operation of a Vehicle
Verdict: Not Guilty
Our client was charged with assault and battery on a police officer and unlicensed operation of a vehicle in Boston Municipal Court, Dorchester. After a jury trial, the jury deliberated for 18 minutes and found our client not guilty on both counts. The client was thrilled to walk away a completely innocent man. BMC Dorchester
Armed Robbery, Mayhem
Result: Plea Offer with Mental Health Treatment
Our client, a 21-year-old out of-state-college student, was arrested for armed robbery, mayhem, aggravated assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, all felonies. The police alleged that our client accosted a stranger on the street, stole his cellular phone at knifepoint and bit a piece of his face off. Our client was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court and faced a maximum sentence of life in state prison. J.W. Carney, Jr. and Associates worked with our client and learned he suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues. As a team, we helped our client get the treatment that he needed and get his life back on track. Just before the trial was set to begin, Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. convinced the prosecutor to make a joint recommendation that the client be placed on probation with continued treatment.
Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
Result: Charges Dismissed
Our client, a 78-year-old retired professional from Syria, was charged in Stoughton District Court with assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct. J. W. Carney, Jr. & Associates was retained to represent the client. Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. secured a dismissal of all charges prior to our client being formally arraigned. This result ensured our client had no criminal record.
DRUG OFFENSES
Distribution of a Class B Substance
Result: Charges Dismissed
Our client, a 54-year-old from the Dominican Republic, was charged in Brockton Superior Court with distribution of a class B substance (cocaine) in 1992. He was deported before the case was resolved. Our client attempted to visit his family in the United States but he was prevented from doing so because of the open Brockton court case. J.W. Carney, Jr. and Associates reached out to the prosecution about the case and convinced the prosecutor to dismiss the charge.
Possession of a Class B Substance
Result: Plea Offer resulting in dismissal of charge
Our client, a graduate student in a prominent PhD program, was charged in Malden District Court with possession of a class B substance, specifically cocaine. Attorneys from J.W. Carney, Jr. and Associates presented a detailed letter to the District Attorney’s office about our client and negotiated a favorable plea placing our client on pre-trial probation for one year. Our client successfully completed his pretrial probation and his charges were dismissed. As a result, our client was able to maintain his financial aid for graduate school.
THEFT OFFENSES
Larceny Over $250
Verdict: Not Guilty
Our client, a certified public accountant, faced charges of larceny in Dedham District Court. We took the case to trial. After deliberating for 12 minutes, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. Our client avoided a criminal conviction and was able to continue being a comptroller for a well-known company.
FEDERAL OFFENSES
Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud, Encouraging and Inducing Illegal Immigration
Result: Plea Offer with Home Confinement
Our client, a 42-year-old businesswoman, was charged in federal court with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and encouraging and inducing illegal immigration for the purpose of financial gain. Our client made the decision to plead guilty. At sentencing, the Assistant United States Attorney asked the judge to impose a sentence of 18 months’ incarceration and for our client to forfeit $174,000 in assets. Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. successfully persuaded the court to impose a sentence of three years’ probation with 12 months of home confinement. Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. also persuaded the court to lower the forfeiture amount to $37,000.
Possession, Production, and Transportation of Child Pornography
Verdict: Not guilty on three of five counts
The Department of Justice indicted our client on one count of transportation of child pornography, three counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. Our client, a teacher, was accused of taping young men while they showered at retreat. Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. successfully convinced the jury that the federal government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the intent element of production of child pornography and the jury acquitted our client on those three counts. At sentencing, the presiding federal judge described the case as “brilliantly defended.”
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Entering an Airport with Intent to Commit a Felony
Result: Plea Offer avoiding deportation
Our client was charged in a 16-count indictment in federal court on charges that he agreed to transport money and drugs through airport security on behalf of a criminal organization. One of the charges would have resulted in our client’s deportation, separating our client from his wife and children. The defense at trial was based on the theory of entrapment – meaning that the government induced our client to commit the criminal acts, which he otherwise would not have committed. The jury was deadlocked, which resulted in a mistrial. Rather than re-trying the case, the Assistant United States Attorney was persuaded by Attorney J.W. Carney, Jr. plea negotiations which resulted in our client pleading guilty to 3 of 16 counts. This plea also avoided our client’s deportation and separation from his loved ones.
Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or More of Cocaine
Result: Plea Offer with Lowest Possible Sentence
The Department of Justice indicted our client in two separate but related cocaine trafficking conspiracies. Our client was facing a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison. The Assistant United States Attorney further sought to increase our client’s sentence because of a prior state conviction for manslaughter. We successfully convinced the federal prosecutors that our client’s prior conviction was not a serious violent felony under federal law. As a result, the prosecutors withdrew their request for an enhanced sentence. Our client plead guilty and we persuaded the judge to sentence our client to the lowest possible sentence that was allowable under the law.