Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney · Former Norfolk County Prosecutor · Quincy, MA
Former prosecutor. Fighting for you.
Massachusetts criminal attorney Patrick T. Donovan prosecuted cases for the Norfolk County District Attorney before he defended his first client. He knows what the Commonwealth must prove, where its cases are weakest, and when it is prepared to negotiate.
For more than twenty years he has put that experience to work for clients in the District and Superior Courts of Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Middlesex and Barnstable Counties.
Free, confidential consultation · Seven days a week · You speak directly with Attorney Donovan
Client reviews
Client Reviews for Massachusetts Criminal Attorney Patrick T. Donovan
★★★★★
“I had a complicated case and I contacted Attorney Patrick Donovan. He was highly responsive to my calls and very diligent in dealing with the case. We got a great and fair result. Very happy with the service from start to finish — I will keep recommending him.”
Owen Cahill — Google review
★★★★★
“Detail-oriented argument, investigation and tactful reasoning. I would recommend him over anyone in the greater Boston area.”
Nalie R. · Google
★★★★★
“Very thorough throughout the process and kept me very informed with updates along the way. Pat helped me erase this ticket off of my record.”
Dave Lawlor · Google
These testimonials describe past results in specific circumstances. They do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case.
Experienced criminal defense
Massachusetts Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Patrick T. Donovan is a Massachusetts criminal attorney and former Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney who has practiced criminal law since 2005, including years prosecuting cases in the Quincy, Stoughton and Dedham District Courts and in Norfolk Superior Court. From his Quincy office he represents clients charged with OUI/DUI, domestic violence, drug offenses, theft and larceny, and motor vehicle crimes, and handles 209A restraining order and 258E harassment prevention hearings, clerk magistrate hearings, and warrant removals across Boston, the South Shore, Plymouth County and Cape Cod. Each practice area below explains the charge, the potential penalties, and how a defense is built.
OUI / DUI
Massachusetts OUI/DUI defense for first-offense and subsequent-offense drunk driving charges under M.G.L. c. 90 § 24, breath test refusal suspensions, and RMV license hearings in Quincy and the South Shore.Domestic violence
Domestic violence attorney for assault and battery on a family or household member (M.G.L. c. 265 § 13M), strangulation, and violation of a restraining order charges in Norfolk and Plymouth County District Courts.209A & 258E orders
209A abuse prevention order and 258E harassment prevention order hearings in Massachusetts — defending against a restraining order, contesting an extension, or seeking one on your behalf.Drug charges
Massachusetts drug crimes lawyer for possession, possession with intent to distribute, and trafficking charges under M.G.L. c. 94C, including motions to suppress unlawful searches and seizures.Theft & larceny
Theft crimes defense for shoplifting, larceny over and under $1,200, receiving stolen property, and identity fraud charges in Massachusetts District Court, with a focus on keeping a conviction off your record.Motor vehicle offenses
Motor vehicle crimes attorney for operating after suspension, negligent and reckless operation, leaving the scene of an accident, and Massachusetts RMV hearings and license reinstatement.Clerk magistrate hearings
Clerk magistrate hearing lawyer for show cause hearings in Quincy, Dedham, Hingham, Brockton and other Massachusetts District Courts — resolving an application for a criminal complaint before a charge issues.Warrants
Warrant removal attorney for Massachusetts default warrants, straight warrants, and outstanding arrest warrants — clearing the warrant and addressing the underlying case on your schedule.Attorney Donovan also defends shoplifting, leaving the scene of property damage and personal injury, restraining order violation, criminal harassment, disturbing the peace and sex crime charges, and represents college students facing both a criminal case and school discipline. See the full list of Massachusetts criminal defense practice areas.
Massachusetts Courts
Massachusetts District Courts Served
Each court page covers the courthouse address and parking, the criminal sessions, what to expect at arraignment, the clerk magistrate’s office and probation department, and practical guidance for a first appearance. As a Massachusetts criminal attorney for more than twenty years, Attorney Donovan appears regularly in the District Courts and Superior Courts of Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Middlesex and Barnstable Counties and has practiced in each of the courts below.
Common questions
Massachusetts Criminal Defense: Frequently Asked Questions
Why hire a former prosecutor as your Massachusetts criminal attorney?
A former prosecutor has built and tried the same cases the Commonwealth is now bringing against you. Attorney Donovan served as a Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney before opening his practice as a Massachusetts criminal attorney, so he knows how police reports are written, what evidence the prosecution needs to prove each element of a charge, and where cases are typically weakest.
Do I need a lawyer for a clerk magistrate hearing in Massachusetts?
A clerk magistrate (show cause) hearing decides whether a criminal complaint will issue at all. It is often the best opportunity to resolve a matter before it becomes a public criminal case. Having a defense attorney present the facts and legal arguments at this stage can make the difference between no charge and an arraignment on your record.
What happens after an OUI/DUI arrest in Massachusetts?
An OUI arrest under M.G.L. c. 90 § 24 triggers two separate matters: the criminal case in District Court and an RMV license suspension, which begins immediately if you refused or failed a breath test. Both have short deadlines. A first-offense OUI may be eligible for an alternative disposition, and the evidence (field sobriety tests, breath test procedures, the stop itself) can often be challenged.
What is a 209A restraining order hearing and can I contest it?
A 209A abuse prevention order is a civil order issued by a Massachusetts court, but violating one is a criminal offense. After a temporary order issues, a hearing is scheduled, usually within ten days, at which the defendant can appear, present evidence, and cross-examine the plaintiff. Attorney Donovan represents both defendants contesting an order and plaintiffs seeking one.
How much does a consultation cost and which courts do you cover?
Consultations are free and confidential, and you speak directly with Attorney Donovan, seven days a week. The office is in Quincy, and he appears regularly in the District and Superior Courts of Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Middlesex and Barnstable Counties, including Quincy, Dedham, Stoughton, Hingham, Brockton, Plymouth, Boston, Cambridge, Barnstable and Falmouth.
The answers above are general information about Massachusetts law, not legal advice about your case. Every matter depends on its own facts; call for a confidential review.
Free Consultation with a Quincy Criminal Defense Lawyer
Consultations are free, confidential, and available seven days a week. Call and you speak directly with a Massachusetts criminal attorney, not an intake service: Attorney Donovan will review the charge, explain the court process, and outline your options before your first court date.
Prefer email? patrick@pdonovanlaw.com · 234 Copeland Street, Suite 230, Quincy, MA 02169
