Business Details
15 Years
experience
Your Trusted Criminal Defense Advocate in Massachusetts
The Law Office Of Kristen Bonavita is a North Shore-based criminal defense practice with over 15 years of courtroom experience. As a former prosecutor for the Office of the Attorney General and Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Attorney Bonavita has successfully argued hundreds of cases before judges and juries. Our practice combines this prosecutorial insight with dedicated defense advocacy to protect clients' rights across Massachusetts. We specialize in navigating complex criminal proceedings from arraignment through trial, with particular expertise in motion practice and evidentiary challenges.Our approach emphasizes clear communication, strategic case evaluation, and aggressive representation for charges ranging from OUI/DUI to violent crimes and white-collar offenses. Recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as a Top 40 Under 40 attorney and by the American Society of Legal Advocates as a Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, we maintain an unwavering commitment to achieving favorable outcomes while minimizing the long-term impacts of criminal charges on clients' lives.
Services
Criminal Defense
OUI/DUI Defense
Drug Charges
Violent Crimes
White Collar Crimes
Motion Practice
Sealing Criminal Records
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- Former prosecutor with insider understanding of both sides of criminal litigation
- Recognized as Top 100 Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer by multiple legal organizations
- Proven track record of case dismissals and not-guilty verdicts in complex criminal trials
- Specialized expertise in motion practice and evidentiary suppression challenges
- Personalized communication with direct attorney access throughout case proceedings
Associations and certifications
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- American Society of Legal Advocates Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Presenter
What people say
Exceptional legal expertise
Compassionate advocate
Successful trial outcomes
Responsive communication
Thorough case preparation
Services
Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense practice combines former prosecutorial insight with aggressive advocacy to protect clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges. We handle cases from initial investigation through trial, specializing in challenging evidence admissibility and negotiating favorable plea agreements. Our approach focuses on minimizing both immediate legal consequences and long-term impacts on employment, licenses, and personal relationships.
OUI/DUI Defense
We defend Massachusetts OUI/DUI charges using technical knowledge of breathalyzer calibration, field sobriety test limitations, and legal challenges to stop validity. Our strategy includes attacking evidence reliability while addressing license suspension consequences through hardship applications and alternative sentencing options to protect driving privileges.
Motion Practice
Our motion practice expertise challenges illegal searches, coerced statements, and identification procedures through suppression motions. We file motions to dismiss based on insufficient evidence and use limine motions to exclude prejudicial evidence, often resolving cases favorably before trial through strategic legal challenges.
Drug Charges
We defend all drug-related charges from possession to trafficking, challenging search warrant validity, chain of custody issues, and forensic testing procedures. Our approach combines technical analysis of drug testing methods with legal challenges to unconstitutional searches to achieve dismissals or reduced charges.
Violent Crimes
We defend violent crime charges including assault, domestic violence, and weapon offenses using investigative resources to challenge witness credibility and physical evidence. Our strategy focuses on disproving elements of the prosecution's case while addressing self-defense claims and minimizing sentencing exposure.
People
Kristen Farrell Bonavita
Attorney & Founder
Former prosecutor with 15+ years of courtroom experience. Graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School. Recognized by National Trial Lawyers as Top 40 Under 40 attorney. Specializes in criminal defense and motion practice.
Questions
What criminal charges do you handle in Massachusetts?
We handle all felony and misdemeanor charges including OUI/DUI, drug crimes, violent crimes, sex offenses, firearm charges, and white-collar crimes across Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex counties.
How does your prosecutorial experience benefit my defense?
Having served as a former prosecutor gives us unique insight into prosecution strategies and decision-making processes, allowing us to anticipate tactics and build stronger defense cases.
Can you help with license suspension issues from OUI charges?
Yes, we specialize in minimizing license consequences including hardship license applications and challenging administrative suspensions through legal motion practice.
What happens during an initial consultation?
We'll review your case details, explain legal options, discuss potential outcomes, and develop a strategic defense plan tailored to your specific circumstances during a confidential consultation.
Do you handle juvenile criminal cases?
Yes, we represent juveniles facing criminal charges and work with diversion programs to prevent permanent criminal records while protecting their future opportunities.
How do you handle motion practice in criminal cases?
We file and argue motions to suppress evidence, challenge probable cause, and address legal issues pre-trial to potentially dismiss cases or limit prosecution evidence.
