Never Give Up: How Persistent Defense Saved a Client from Prison Time for Drug Trafficking

Written By: Matthew W. Peterson

Published: 06/23/2025

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The Prison Time For Drug Trafficking In Massachusetts

When you’re facing serious drug charges, especially drug trafficking in Massachusetts, the stakes are huge. The fear of mandatory prison time for drug trafficking can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to wonder if fighting the charges is even worth it. A recent case from the Law Office of Matthew W. Peterson shows exactly why persistence in criminal defense can make the difference between years in prison and walking free.

A Traffic Stop That Changed Everything

In May 2025, we represented a client who found himself in a nightmare scenario that began with a simple traffic stop. Police pulled him over and discovered drugs in the vehicle he was driving, leading to trafficking charges that carried a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in state prison. For our client, this meant that if convicted, the judge would have no choice but to send him to prison – no matter the circumstances, no matter his background, no matter his potential for rehabilitation.

Drug trafficking charges are among the most serious offenses in Massachusetts, with mandatory minimum sentences that can range from a few years to more than a decade behind bars. These laws tie judges’ hands, removing their ability to even consider individual circumstances or show mercy. When facing these charges, having an attorney who will fight relentlessly becomes essential.

Digging Deeper Into the Stop

Rather than accepting the charges at face value, we immediately began investigating every aspect of the traffic stop. We looked at the officer’s stated reasons for the stop, examined the circumstances surrounding the search, and questioned whether proper procedures were followed.

Our investigation revealed several concerning issues. The officer claimed our client’s window tint was too dark, but this seemed suspicious given the circumstances. We also discovered that when officers said they needed to tow the car and conduct an “inventory search” – a routine procedure that allows police to catalog a vehicle’s contents – something didn’t add up.

Through careful research, we learned that the state police agency involved had towed cars for window tint violations in only extremely rare circumstances. This inconsistency raised red flags about the true motivation behind the stop and search.

Fighting at Every Turn

We didn’t stop at identifying problems with the traffic stop. We investigated whether the stop might have been racially motivated and prepared a comprehensive motion to suppress the evidence – essentially asking the court to throw out the drugs found during the search because they were obtained improperly.

This type of legal challenge requires thorough preparation and deep knowledge of constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. When police violate these protections, any evidence they find can be excluded from trial, often leading to dismissed charges.

We challenged the Commonwealth’s case at every opportunity, refusing to let any questionable aspect go unexamined. This persistent approach sent a clear message: we weren’t going to make this case easy for the prosecution.

The Power of Persistence

Just before our motion to suppress hearing was scheduled to take place, something remarkable happened. The prosecution approached us with an offer that completely eliminated the prison time our client was facing. Instead of the mandatory minimum three-year sentence, they offered probation – allowing our client to remain free while completing court-supervised rehabilitation.

This outcome demonstrates something crucial about criminal defense: sometimes the cases that don’t end in dismissals or not guilty verdicts can still represent major victories. While we’re proud of our trial wins and dismissed cases, this result shows why it’s equally important to celebrate keeping someone out of prison who was facing mandatory incarceration.

Why This Matters for Anyone Facing Serious Charges

Our client’s case illustrates a fundamental truth about criminal defense: persistence pays off. The prosecution’s willingness to offer probation instead of prison time didn’t happen by accident. It happened because we made it clear that we would fight every aspect of their case, forcing them to confront the weaknesses in their evidence.

When facing trafficking charges or other serious offenses with mandatory minimum sentences, you need an attorney who understands that giving up is not an option. These cases require someone who will examine every detail, challenge every assumption, and fight until the other side recognizes the strength of your defense.

If you’re facing drug trafficking charges in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts, remember that even when the situation seems hopeless, skilled legal representation can make all the difference. Sometimes it’s not about winning at trial – it’s about fighting hard enough that the prosecution realizes their case isn’t as strong as they initially believed.