Brett Lovins represents individuals suspected of or charged with criminal offenses, including among other matters, drug offenses, firearms offenses, white collar offenses, theft and property crimes, violent offenses, domestic crimes and restraining order violations, operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI/DUI), and sex offenses. He also represents clients facing government and internal workplace investigations, school disciplinary proceedings, civil commitment, and classification proceedings before the Sex Offender Registry Board.
Brett previously served as a prosecutor in Boston. In that role, he investigated and prosecuted cases, negotiated pleas, and tried felonies and misdemeanors to verdict. Brett now leverages his insider knowledge from his position as an assistant district attorney to help obtain favorable results for his clients. He also worked as a case reviewer for the New England Innocence Project, analyzing trial and appellate records of incarcerated individuals for indications of wrongful convictions, such as possible eyewitness misidentification, invalid or improper forensic science, false confessions, and unreliable informants.
Brett also maintains an active pro bono practice with a focus on collateral consequences of conviction. Most recently, he has volunteered for non-partisan election voter protection and has educated individuals with criminal records about their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), helping to seal and expunge CORI records when possible.
Representative Matters
Obtained acquittals in numerous jury trials, including operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI), drug trafficking, assault and battery, threats, witness intimidation, failing to register as a sex offender, larceny, unlawful possession of a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition, receipt of stolen property, open and gross lewdness, and uttering a false check.
Convinced court to grant motions for mistrial after prosecutor improperly elicited excluded testimony during jury trials involving OUI and larceny.
Secured dismissals of felony and misdemeanor charges after winning motions to dismiss for lack of probable cause, prosecutorial discovery violations, insufficient evidence, and failure to prosecute.
Obtained dismissals of felony and misdemeanor charges after successfully convincing court to suppress key evidence, including a weapon found during an impermissible pat frisk, cocaine seized during a warrantless motor vehicle search, eyewitness identification obtained through unduly suggestive police procedures, and confession elicited by police without administering Miranda warnings.
Obtained pre-arraignment diversion placements for clients to avoid felony criminal charges.
Represented individual charged with seventeen property offenses and successfully negotiated a combined resolution without any criminal convictions or term of incarceration.
Persuaded judge to enter a Required Finding of Not Guilty after the close of the prosecution’s case during jury trials involving firearms and theft offenses.
Represented teacher accused of sexual misconduct during independent investigation which resulted in no adverse action by school employer.
Represented student in school disciplinary proceedings stemming from pending felony charges and successfully negotiated student’s return to school.
Persuaded court to deny extension of restraining order against client after evidentiary hearing.
Represented client on a petition for reclassification before the Sex Offender Registry Board, resulting in a reduced classification that was no longer available to the public online.
Education
Suffolk University Law School, J.D. cum laude (2006)
University of Pennsylvania, B.A. cum laude (1997)
Buckingham Browne & Nichols, Diploma with distinction (1993)
Admissions
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, Massachusetts
Affiliations
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Suffolk Lawyers for Justice
Middlesex Defense Attorneys
Massachusetts Bar Association
National Criminal Defense College’s Trial Practice Institute
Selected Publications & Speaking Engagements
Confronting an Accuser via Zoom: The SJC Considers the Constitutionality of Virtual Evidentiary Hearings, Boston Bar Journal (Summer 2021)
Practice Guide to Massachusetts Criminal Law (LexisNexis): Co-author of chapter on Pretrial and Motion Practice
Criminal Litigation 101: Practical Strategies for District Court Practice