(978) 474-0054 
There are roughly 200 reported crimes committed each year in Andover, Massachusetts, which makes the city 73% safer than other cities around the country. Located in Essex County, the city’s population, spread out over 32.1 square miles, was roughly 36,569 as of 2020. There are 13,235 households in the city. According to the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, there are roughly 566 registered sex offenders living or working in the county. The Lawrence District court, located in Lawrence at 2 Appleton Street, serves Andover and other Essex County cities. If you have been accused of a crime, or are facing criminal charges, you should call trustworthy Andover criminal defense lawyer Murat Erkan or Ryan P. Sullivan. We may be able to raise strong defenses on your behalf, including reasonable doubt, self-defense, defense of others, procedural errors, and constitutional violations.
Defending Violent Crime Charges
Violent crimes are those that involve force against another person. These crimes are taken very seriously by prosecutors and judges in District Court alike, so you should enlist the help of a criminal defense attorney in Andover. Violent crimes may be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, and they include:
- Domestic violence
- Assault and battery
- Murder or homicide
- Armed robbery
- Carjacking
- Stalking
- Illegal weapons and firearms possession
The penalties vary, depending on the statute under which a violent crime is charged. For instance, if you have a first offense of assault and battery on a family member, you could face a maximum of 2 ½ years in jail or a house of corrections, as well as a $5000 fine. A prior conviction could result in a harsher sentence, and you may also be subject to a restraining order.
Game Changing Tactics
Erkan & Sullivan, PC, handles only one type of case: criminal defense. We specialize in this one thing, because it is only with that singular focus that a lawyer can provide a truly game-changing defense. If you or a family member has been charged with or accused of a crime, we can help.
Defense attorneys Murat Erkan and Ryan Sullivan are both former prosecutors with decades of combined experience handling every type of criminal case in Andover. We are students of the law, always remaining up-to-date on the new changes in criminal law and the ever-changing strategies that Massachusetts prosecutors use to deny people their freedom. Having lawyers that know how the government builds a case – and more importantly, how to take that case apart – makes all the difference in the world.
Whether it is battling with prosecutors in the courtroom or negotiating with the police to prevent charges from ever issuing, our team will have your back from the moment you are accused – and every step afterwards.
Our philosophy is to build an uncompromising defense tailored to your specific case and your specific needs. There are no cookie-cutter strategies here. Beginning with our first consultation, we will discuss what you are (or could be) charged with, an assessment of likely defense strategies, and a timeline for how the case will develop. Defense Attorneys Murat Erkan and Ryan Sullivan’s experience and innovative strategies have led to an astonishing number of cases being dismissed, findings of not guilty, and other favorable results.
Sex Crimes
You must retain a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to defend you if you’ve been accused or charged with a sex crime in Andover. These crimes may involve any of the following:
- Rape
- Rape of a child
- Child pornography
- Indecent assault and battery
- Assault with intent to commit rape
Sometimes sex crimes are also violent crimes; multiple charges may be brought, depending on the facts. When convicted of any of these charges you could face incarceration, fines, and the requirement that you register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. Every situation is different and requires a tailored defense strategy. Both procedural and substantive defenses may be available to you; Defense Attorneys Murat Erkan and Ryan Sullivan can examine the particular facts to determine how best to defend you.
Defense of Property Crimes
Property crimes include:
- Theft (also called larceny)
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft
- Shoplifting
- Trespassing
- Embezzlement
- Vandalism
- Arson
Our skilled team of criminal defense lawyers can help you avoid a conviction for property crimes in Andover, even if the charges seem serious. A conviction for a property crime will stain your criminal record and may impact your future opportunities. In addition to facing jail time, you may be ordered to pay restitution, fines or fees or be placed on probation.
OUI and Drug Crime Charges
Massachusetts prosecutors take alcohol-related and drug crimes seriously, and so should your criminal defense lawyer in Andover. In Andover, you can be charged with operating under the influence (OUI) if you were under the influence of either drugs or alcohol while driving. Drug crimes can include possession, sale, or distribution of controlled substances, which are divided into multiple classes. Class A substances, for instance, include fentanyl, heroin, GHB, morphine, ketamine, and various designer drugs. Meanwhile, Class B substances include cocaine, ecstasy, speed, acid, PCP, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs like Oxycodone in the form of Percocet.
While you may feel that possessing a drug was not a big deal, a conviction for possession of a controlled substance can have a significant effect on your life, including your opportunities with regard to housing, jobs, and other matters.
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys on Your Side
Representing clients during investigations, before the grand jury, at arraignment, through trial, and on appeal, our team provides unparalleled representation. This is because we have spent our careers handling only criminal cases, focusing our entire practice on becoming the best in the field.
Our defense attorneys have represented hundreds of people who have been accused of crimes in Andover and throughout Massachusetts. We routinely achieve not guilty verdicts at trial, succeed in securing pretrial dismissal, convince judges to throw out or suppress evidence against our clients, and prevent our clients from ever being charged in the first place.
You need lawyers who are not afraid to fight. Who think innovatively and strategically. Who will listen to you, understand you, and care about what happens to you. We are committed to achieving the best results possible. We will help you get your life back.
Attorneys Who Are Not Afraid to Fight for You
Far too many cases in Andover end up pleading because the criminal defense lawyer lacks the guts to fight the case to the end. A criminal trial is not for the faint of heart; the jury trial is the modern-day gladiatorial arena. Defense Attorneys Murat Erkan and Ryan Sullivan thrive in that arena. They enter it without fear, because they have honed their skills and are accustomed to winning. Because our opponents know we will never compromise, many times the prosecution will fold on the trial date, dismissing the case before it even starts.
Every case is different, and every client has a different set of goals for their case. But one thing every case has in common is that the choice of attorney will, more often than not, make or break your case. Don’t leave your future to chance. Defense Attorneys Murat Erkan and Ryan Sullivan will defend you without compromise.
Consult a Trustworthy Andover Criminal Defense Attorney
If prosecutors have charged you with a crime, or you suspect charges are forthcoming, you should call the dedicated Andover criminal defense lawyers at Erkan & Sullivan, PC. With more than 40 years of combined experience, our attorneys can investigate all aspects of your case and develop the best strategy possible to defend you. Call us today at (978) 474-0054 or get in touch through our online form to book a consultation.
