Being charged with a single crime is bad enough. Even worse, though, is facing multiple criminal charges at once. If you have been charged with more than one crime or a handful of crimes, do not hesitate to contact a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney. At The Law Offices of Paul R. Moraski, our attorney can help. Reach out to us immediately for the legal defense you can trust.
What Is Criminal Charge Stacking?
Criminal stacking refers to the practice of charging a defendant with as many relevant charges at once as possible. Sometimes, more charges than are really fair are placed against the defendant. This is often an attempt to strengthen the prosecution’s case and the chances of securing a conviction on at least one of the charges. Criminal stacking is common in cases involving both white collar and violent crimes; it is much less common in cases of minor crimes involving misdemeanor offenses.
What Types of Charges Are Commonly Stacked Together?
The range of charges that could potentially be stacked together is quite large. An example of some commonly stacked charges include:
- Drug distribution in combination with possession of drug paraphernalia and intent to distribute in a school zone
- Assault in combination with a weapons possession charge
- Embezzlement stacked with extortion and another type of fraud charge
The list above is just an example. Violent crimes are typically stacked with violent crimes, white collar crimes with white collar crimes, etc.
The Consequences of Criminal Charge Stacking
Charge stacking can make navigating a criminal case and building a defense very difficult. This is because when charges are stacked against a defendant, they have to defend themselves against the original charges and an array of charges that are related, but may not align with the actual facts of the original crime. Not only does this make defending oneself more difficult, but it also raises the stakes: if a defendant is convicted on multiple charges, their sentence will surely be more severe and they will face larger fines and fees, more time behind bars, or a combination of both.
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with Multiple Crimes in Massachusetts
If you have been charged with multiple crimes in Massachusetts, it is in your best interests to call a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. You need an attorney on your side who is familiar with criminal stacking and has a track record of success working on cases like yours. A good attorney may be able to have some of the charges against you dropped immediately, and will also start building a solid defense to defend you against the primary charges.
Call The Law Offices of Paul R. Moraski Today
At The Law Offices of Paul R. Moraski, Attorney Paul Moraski understands what you’re up against and the potential consequences you’re facing. For the legal help you can trust when you need it most, call our law firm directly today. We are here to advocate for you. Reach us at (978) 397-0011 to get started.