High-stakes criminal defense

Criminal defense

Trial and appellate representation for complex, high-exposure mandates: confidential investigations, Suffolk and statewide indictments, District of Massachusetts prosecutions, sentencing, and First Circuit review—including matters that attract regulatory parallel proceedings or press scrutiny.

State & federal criminal defense

Denner Lamanna defends individuals and organizations in Massachusetts state courts and in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, including matters that begin with search warrants, grand jury subpoenas, or parallel regulatory inquiries. We staff for trial from the first interview—because posture in the investigative phase often determines leverage at charging, motions, and sentencing.

Criminal intake is selective: we accept matters where trial bandwidth, subject-matter fit, and client objectives align with the firm’s model. When we cannot undertake representation, we aim to give candid guidance about risk, timing, and next steps.

What we defend

  • White collar, fraud, and regulatory-adjacent prosecutions where document volume and parallel civil exposure dominate strategy.
  • Violent, sexual assault, firearms, and narcotics allegations where forensic evidence, digital proof, and credibility contests require interdisciplinary support.
  • College disciplinary and Title IX overlays that can affect enrollment, housing, and future employment.
  • Sentencing advocacy, revocation hearings, and post-conviction review where appellate preservation began at the district court or Superior Court.
  • First Circuit appeals arising from Massachusetts federal trial convictions and significant pretrial orders.

Investigation through appeal

We coordinate investigative response, electronic discovery containment, forensic testing, motions practice, and courtroom presentation. Where media or professional licensing consequences travel with the indictment, we integrate communications discipline and collateral counsel as appropriate.

Confidentiality & urgency

Early contact often matters for preservation of devices, business records, and witness recollection. Telephone intake is available for exigent circumstances; written summaries help us evaluate conflicts and staffing before the first meeting.

Intake & engagement

Prospective clients may use the confidential review form, call the Boston or toll-free lines listed on our contact page, or email the firm. We confirm identity, conflicts, and whether the matter fits firm bandwidth before formal engagement.

Past verdicts or dismissals referenced elsewhere are not predictions of future outcomes.

Defense workstreams

Capabilities we integrate for high-stakes criminal mandates.

Immediate response

Same-day triage for arrest, search, or interview scenarios with preservation letters and witness coordination.

Pre-trial leverage

Motions to suppress, discovery disputes, charging challenges, and forensic retesting aimed at narrowing exposure before trial.

Trial readiness

Every file is prepared for jury presentation, even when a negotiated resolution remains possible.

Parallel proceedings

Coordination with regulatory, licensing, and civil counsel when multiple forums are active.

Sentencing & collateral

Guidelines advocacy, allocution strategy, and planning for supervision, restitution, and professional consequences.

Appeals

First Circuit briefing and oral argument where preserved issues warrant appellate review.

Discuss defense representation

Prospective clients may start with the confidential intake form, call either listed telephone number, or visit the contact page for fax, office directions, and email.