Attorney Richard J. Sweeney practices in District, Superior and Federal Court in criminal cases involving drugs, sex offenses, rape, robbery, trafficking, and other felonies as well as cases involving domestic violence, drunk driving, minors in possession of alcohol and other related matters. He also handles appeals of traffic citations and sex offender registry classifications at all levels He has successfully handled divorce cases, child support and DSS issues as well. Attorney Sweeney also assists many Boston attorneys who have business clients in need of assistance in family or other matters involving the police or courts. Finally Mr. Sweeney has used his negotiating talent to successfully handle mediations and arbitrations in both business and personal injury cases.

Richard Sweeney was born and raised in Boston. He graduated from Boston Latin School (‘76) and then went on to earn his degrees from Suffolk University and New England School of Law. Mr. Sweeney retired from the Boston Police as a Sergeant commanding one of Boston's Drug Units. He spent many years working the streets and utilized this expertise to lecture Police Officers and Recruits at Police Academies and Colleges throughout the state, including Boston and surrounding towns, for over ten years. He was an instructor for the Mass. Criminal Justice Training Council in Criminal and Motor Vehicle laws, Warrants, Search and Seizures, Interrogations, Crime Scene and Evidence Collection as well as Drug Laws and Domestic Violence. He also lectured emergency room nurses and physicians on Domestic Violence, Sex Offenses and other related issues gaining a network of resources in police departments and hospitals throughout the state.

Attorney Sweeney is the President-Elect of The Bar Association of Norfolk County.  He is an active member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Quincy Bar Association , the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys. He is the past Secretary of the Norfolk Prosecutors Association and a former member of the Finance Committee in Westwood, MA.  Richard is married with 2 children. His practice is primarily concentrated on criminal defense work and he has represented clients in several high profile cases in both State and Federal Courts in the areas listed below.

Areas of Practice

Violent Crimes
Murder
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Kidnapping
Armed Robbery
Assault

Domestic Violence/Restraining Orders
Possession of a Firearm
Burglary
Breaking and Entering
Sex Crimes

Child Pornography (State and Federal)

Aggravated / Forcible Rape
Assault with Intent to Rape
Statutory Rape
Indecent Assault and Battery
Sex Offender Registry Issues
Prostitution

Drug Crimes
Distribution of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Trafficking
Motor Vehicle
Felony Vehicular Homicide
Leaving the Scene
Operating Under the Influence
Habitual Traffic Offender

Traffic Tickets

Driver's License Suspensions
Motions
Motion to Suppress Evidence
Motion to Suppress Wiretap
Motion to Dismiss
Motion to Suppress Statements

Entrapment
False Arrest
Illegal Search and Seizure
Self Defense

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts, 2001

Education

New England Law, Boston, Massachusetts
JD
Suffolk University
B.A.

Professional Associations and Memberships

Norfolk County Bar Association , President-Elect
Massachusetts Bar Association

Quincy Bar Association
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys