Individuals convicted of a crime, whether through their own admission of guilt or through the determination of a jury, are subject to fines, imprisonment, probation and community service, among other penalties in Massachusetts.

The outcome of any criminal case depends upon the facts surrounding the crime charged, the strength of the evidence, the legal validity of law enforcement actions, courtroom procedure and the goals and strategy of both the government and defense. As an experienced Boston Criminal Lawyer, I will navigate you through this complicated legal process. My focus includes:

• Murders
• Weapons Possession
• Drug Possession
• Criminal Trials
• Criminal Plea Negotiations
• Criminal Appeals
• White Collar Investigations
• Victim Representation
• Show Cause Hearings
• Bail Reductions
• Probation Surrenders
• Fraud Investigations
• 209A/Restraining Orders
• Sentencing Hearings
• Criminal Records Sealing
• Sexually Dangerous Person Hearings
• Sex Offender Registry Board Hearings
• General Courts-Martial
• Special Courts-Martial
• Article 32 Hearings
• Enlisted Admin Sep Boards
• Officers Boards of Inquiry
• Officer Resignations

I specialize in criminal trials for serious criminal matters. I also handle military justice matters and criminal appeals. My Firm was launched with an entrepreneurial excitement and a dedication to client needs that remains strong today. This energy is fundamental to my Firm, as we make it our mission to remain a cut above the rest. The Firm maintains the highest work ethic, and employs creative resolutions to criminal cases.

As a skilled Boston Criminal Lawyer, I am a consummate oral advocate, and have successfully tried criminal cases since 1995. I have a proven track record in trying criminal cases of the most serious nature. In 2008, I defended a 21- year-old man accused of a notorious quadruple murder in Dorchester, Massachusetts. That trial vetted 61 witnesses, and lasted more than six weeks. 

In 2007, I won a Not Guilty verdict after a trial on the merits of a Marine Captain charged with rape, assault and battery, threats, failing to obey a lawful order, and obstruction of justice in Okinawa, Japan. Having maintained his innocence since the beginning and with over 16 years in the Marine Corps, he looks forward to his continued service. Also in 2007, I was victorious once again in the criminal trial of a Plymouth man charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and threats against a female acquaintance. The complaining witness testified, as did the defendant. In less than one hour after the close of evidence, the Suffolk County jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense. 

In 2006, I and co-counsel successfully garnered a Not Guilty verdict in the case of a Boston man indicted for the well-publicized double murder of two men near Grove Hall and illegal possession of a firearm. Although a third surviving victim testified, the jury again returned a verdict in favor of the defense .

If you or someone you know in Massachusetts needs the assistance of an experienced Boston Criminal Lawyer, call Attorney Shannon Frison today at 866-308-1810, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.

Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Serious Violent Crimes and Murder:
By definition, a violent crime is a behavior by persons, against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts or actually inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, hate crimes, homicide, larceny, rape, manslaughter, mayhem and murder.

One of the most serious areas of violent crime is homicide - killing a person, whether lawfully or unlawfully. Justifiable homicide and excusable homicide are lawful homicides, while criminal homicide, negligent homicide, reckless homicide and vehicular homicide are unlawful homicides. Unlawful homicide comprises the two crimes of murder and manslaughter.

Drugs and Narcotics Charges:
Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced, or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs.

Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine), and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.

Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.

Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.

DUI/Driving Under the Influence:
"DUI" stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit.  Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.

Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking. Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on your life.

Expungement Motions:
An Expungement of your record results in the extraction and isolation of all records on file with any court correctional facility or law enforcement agency. The records that are expunged include complaints, warrants, arrests reports, commitments, criminal history records, fingerprints and your rap sheet.

Contrary to popular belief, your record is not automatically cleared or expunged with the passage of time. Even if you were never found guilty, an arrest is not expunged unless a court grants your Expungement petition. State statutes impose application guidelines and waiting periods for various types of arrests and convictions. The guidelines provide instruction for what can be expunged and set forth certain specific types of offenses that cannot. The guidelines also impose waiting periods that are calculated from the completion of the sentence imposed by the court.

It is important to note that an Expungement does not destroy records; it extracts and isolates the records. Under most circumstances, once an Expungement has been granted those records cannot be disclosed. A person who has been granted an Expungement can respond that he or she has no conviction when asked a question about having a criminal record. Exceptions to this rule include a person seeking a second Expungement, a person seeking a conditional discharge, and a person seeking to obtain employment in law enforcement.

What to bring to a consultation:

• A copy of all papers pertaining to your arrest(s);
• A copy of all court papers pertaining to the disposition of the charge(s) you want expunged; and,
• A copy of any report pertaining to the completion of any probationary or diversionary treatment program.

Juvenile Delinquency:
Delinquency is a legal term for criminal behavior carried out by a juvenile. Delinquent behavior is divided into two categories: status offenses and delinquency offenses. Status offenses are those acts which would not be considered offenses if committed by an adult, such as school truancy, running away from home, alcohol possession or use, or curfew violations. Juvenile Delinquency offenses involve destruction or theft of property, commission of violent crimes against persons, illegal weapon possession, or the possession or sale of illegal drugs.

Juvenile Court:
Juvenile court is unique and should not be treated as if it were adult court for young clients.  While the substantive criminal law is the same in juvenile and adult court, the procedures and sentencing law are substantially different.  The consequences of a misstep by an attorney inexperienced in juvenile matters can be devastating. For example, contrary to what many parents believe, a juvenile conviction is not removed from a child's record when he or she turns 18.

Despite the rehabilitative focus of juvenile court, juvenile convictions are counted as criminal history in future cases.  They also remain on state criminal records databases and may affect a young person's ability to enter college, obtain employment, financial aid, a driver's license or join the military.   Additionally, juvenile convictions can result in commitment to a juvenile detention facility or institution for periods ranging from days to months and even years. Worse, in some cases, a child may end up being prosecuted in adult court where the punishment is even more severe.

Appellate and Post Conviction:
In an appeal, an appellate court reviews the record of the pre-trial and trial proceedings for legal errors. The record includes the court file, the court reporter's transcript and the evidence and exhibits introduced in the trial court. In general, an appellate court does not consider information that is not contained in the record.

A post-conviction petition is the general name for what is called a "collateral attack" on a conviction. In federal court, they are called habeas corpus petitions. By using a post-conviction petition, a defendant generally can bring evidence before the reviewing court that was not part of the record on appeal, and in this way raise issues that would otherwise not be reviewed.

Internet Crime:
Internet crime is defined as any illegal activity involving one or more components of the Internet such as websites, chat rooms and/or email. Internet crime involves the use of the Internet to communicate false or fraudulent representations to consumers. These crimes may include, but are not limited to, advance-fee schemes, non-delivery of goods or services, computer hacking, phishing, pharming, programming worms, viruses or employment/business opportunity schemes.

Sex Crimes:
Sex crimes can include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases.

If you or someone you know in Massachusetts needs the assistance of an experienced Boston Criminal Lawyer, call Attorney Shannon Frison today at 866-308-1810, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.

If you or someone you know in Massachusetts needs the assistance of an experienced Boston Criminal Lawyer, call Attorney Shannon Frison today at 866-308-1810, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your initial consultation.

ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
Frison Law Firm, P.C.
60 State Street., Suite 700
Boston, MA 02109
Telephone: 866-308-1810
Fax: 617-288-0614

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

Shannon Frison, Esq.
As lead counsel to the Frison Law Firm, Shannon Frison has simultaneously maintained a career in the United States Marine Corps. Since the beginning of the hostilities in Afghanistan and Iraq, Shannon has been mobilized to active duty twice in support of the Global War on Terror. During those mobilizations, she has served as Theater Security Cooperation Management Information System Officer and Assistant Desk Officer for South Asia at Headquarters Marine Forces Pacific (Hawaii), Transition Officer at Marine for Life at Headquarters Marine Corps (Quantico, VA), and the Military Justice Officer for the 3rd Force Service Support Group (Okinawa, Japan). She is currently a reserve Major.

Shannon is a recipient of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

In addition to a wealth of criminal trial work as defense counsel, Shannon is also a former prosecutor with the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office in Quincy, Massachusetts and in the Marine Corps. Originally from Chicago, Shannon received a Bachelors degree in Government from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center. She completed Officer Candidates School in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1994 and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in December 1995. In addition to practicing law, she has served as a Guberman Teaching Fellow at Brandeis University for three years teaching "Introduction to Law."

She is currently a member of the Boston Bar Association, the Judge Advocates Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Shannon is also the General Manager of the New England Storm Professional Women's Football Team and founding partner and CEO of Storm Enterprises, Inc.