Criminal Defense Attorney in Quincy, MA. Trial Experience. Real Results.

A criminal charge moves fast. Arraignment, bail, and the decisions made in the first 24 to 48 hours can shape everything that follows. I'm Devin McBride — a Quincy-based criminal defense attorney with 15+ years of experience, and a record of fighting for outcomes that keep my clients' lives intact.

Experience in Every Massachusetts Court

Over 15 years, I've practiced in every Massachusetts county and court, from Norfolk County and the South Shore to Plymouth, Bristol, Middlesex, and beyond. I've conducted jury trials, negotiated dismissals and continuances without a finding (CWOFs), and secured treatment alternatives for clients facing substance-related charges. Whatever you're up against, I've handled it — and I know the terrain.

Facing Charges? Here's What I Can Do for You

I defend clients against the full range of criminal charges under Massachusetts law — from first-offense misdemeanors to serious felonies. Every case I take gets a direct line to me, not a paralegal or junior associate.

  • OUI / DUI defense under M.G.L. c.90 §24 — including first offenses, license suspension, and breathalyzer refusals
  • Drug crime defense under M.G.L. c.94C — possession, distribution, trafficking, and diversion eligibility
  • Assault and battery charges under M.G.L. c.265 — simple assault through aggravated battery
  • Domestic violence defense under M.G.L. c.209A — restraining orders, no-contact conditions, and related criminal charges
  • Sex crimes defense — charges that carry mandatory registration and life-altering collateral consequences
  • Probation violations — hearings that can result in incarceration even without a new conviction

Jail Isn't the Only Outcome — And I'll Fight to Prove It

For clients facing drug charges or offenses rooted in substance abuse, alternatives to incarceration are often available under Massachusetts law — and I pursue them aggressively. My own sobriety gives me a perspective most attorneys can't offer, and my relationships with treatment programs, outpatient providers, and diversion advocates across the state mean I can put together a credible alternative that prosecutors and judges take seriously.


Diversion, continuances without a finding, and treatment-based dispositions can keep a conviction off your record entirely. These outcomes require an attorney who knows how to make the case for them — and who has the relationships to back it up.

What Happens to Your Record Matters as Much as the Verdict

A conviction — even for a misdemeanor — can affect your employment, your professional license, your housing, and your immigration status. I don't measure success only by whether charges are dropped. I measure it by what the outcome means for your life five years from now.


That means pursuing dismissals when the evidence supports it, negotiating CWOFs when a clean record is the priority, and taking cases to trial when that's what it takes. Every strategy starts with understanding what's at stake for you specifically — not just what's standard practice for this charge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Massachusetts

  • Will I go to jail for a first-time criminal charge in Massachusetts?

    Not necessarily. First-time offenders often have options that avoid incarceration entirely — including pretrial diversion, continuances without a finding, and suspended sentences. The outcome depends on the charge, your record, and the strength of the defense. The sooner you have an attorney involved, the more options are typically available.

  • What is a continuance without a finding (CWOF) in Massachusetts?

    A CWOF is a disposition in which you admit to sufficient facts for a finding of guilt, but the judge does not enter a conviction. Instead, the case is continued for a period of probation. If you complete probation successfully, the case is dismissed. It can be a powerful tool for protecting your record, particularly for first-time offenders.

  • Do you handle criminal cases outside of Quincy and the South Shore?

    Yes. I've practiced in every Massachusetts county and court. While my anchor market is Quincy and Norfolk County, I regularly defend clients in Plymouth County, Bristol County, Middlesex County, and courts across the state.

  • What should I do immediately after being arrested in Massachusetts?

    Do not make any statements to police without an attorney present. Invoke your right to remain silent clearly and directly, then contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Arraignment typically happens within 24 hours of arrest, and decisions made before that hearing — including bail — can have significant consequences.

  • Can a criminal charge be expunged from my record in Massachusetts?

    Massachusetts has limited expungement provisions, available in specific circumstances such as cases involving errors or offenses committed before age 21. Sealing is more broadly available and can restrict public access to your record after a waiting period. I can review your specific situation and explain what options apply.