The Law Office of Peter Cole provides criminal defense services across Greater Boston, Massachusetts. Attorney Peter Cole has nearly 20 years of courtroom experience and represents clients facing domestic violence, OUI/DUI, assault and battery, 209A restraining orders, and restraining order violations. The firm focuses on protecting clients’ rights, reviewing evidence, challenging accusations, and developing defense strategies tailored to each case. Based in Brighton, the office serves surrounding communities, including Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Dedham, and Medford. Attorney Cole is fluent in English and Portuguese, allowing clients to communicate comfortably and understand their legal options throughout the criminal defense process.
Brighton, Massachusetts, United States, 29th Oct 2026 – The Law Office of Peter Cole today announced a renewed focus on aggressive defense for people accused of domestic violence, OUI/DUI, assault and battery, and 209A restraining order offenses throughout Boston and surrounding communities. Attorney Peter Cole, a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer with nearly two decades of experience in eastern and central Massachusetts courts, represents clients who face the most urgent and life-altering accusations of their lives.
A criminal accusation can upend a person’s job, home, family, driver’s license, and reputation within hours. The firm’s message to anyone in that position is simple: do not face the system alone, and do not make statements to police before speaking with a lawyer.
Why Massachusetts Domestic Violence Charges Move So Fast
Domestic violence cases in Massachusetts often move faster than other criminal matters. An argument that gets loud enough for a neighbor to call the police can lead to an arrest within minutes. Police usually, if not always, err on the side of protecting the person who called for help. Before a court holds a hearing where both sides can be heard, the accused can be removed from his or her house and separated from his or her children.
The court process then continues in two steps. When a plaintiff first asks a court for a 209A restraining order, there is an “ex parte” hearing at which only the plaintiff is heard. If the judge issues an order, a second hearing must be held within ten business days, and the accused has a chance to be heard there. Because the plaintiff in these cases almost always alleges criminal conduct, it is usually not advisable for the accused to testify at that hearing without careful legal advice.
Many people do not understand how strict these orders are. A restraining order prohibits contact between the defendant and the protected person. Even replying to a message the other person started can lead to criminal charges, and good intentions are not a defense.
“These cases are won or lost on details, and the early decisions matter most,” said Attorney Peter Cole. “People often hurt their own case in the first 48 hours by talking to police, contacting the other person, or ignoring a court order. A strong defense starts the moment you call a lawyer.”
Aggressive Defense Across Five Core Practice Areas
The Law Office of Peter Cole concentrates on criminal defense in the following areas.
1. Domestic violence and domestic assault. As a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer, Attorney Cole examines whether the accusation is consistent, whether the accuser had a motive, and whether the police respected the defendant’s constitutional rights. Domestic assault and battery charges can lead to serious penalties and long-term consequences, so each case is built around its own facts. People searching for a domestic assault lawyer East Boston MA can reach Attorney Cole to discuss charges that arise from family or household disputes.
2. OUI/DUI defense. Operating under the influence charges can carry license consequences along with criminal penalties. In Massachusetts, “operating” can mean more than driving. Sitting in the driver’s seat and turning the key can be enough. Being “under the influence” also does not require being drunk. It means alertness or focus was reduced by alcohol or drugs. Attorney Cole challenges whether the stop was lawful, whether testing was reliable, and whether the prosecution can prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt. Residents searching for an OUI DUI lawyer Brighton MA can reach the firm directly.
3. Assault and battery defense. An assault and battery charge can arise from a single moment of lost temper. The law covers offensive touching as well as harmful contact, and it recognizes more serious categories, such as assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Clients in Norfolk County looking for an assault battery lawyer Dedham MA can turn to Attorney Cole for case-specific strategy, including self-defense claims and challenges to witness credibility.
4. 209A restraining order defense. A 209A order can first be issued after an ex parte hearing where only the plaintiff is heard, and its consequences can be immediate. The accused then has a right to be heard at a second hearing within ten business days. Because the allegations are often criminal, Attorney Cole advises clients on how to approach that hearing, including whether testifying is wise, so that nothing said there harms a related criminal case. Neighbors in Boston’s university-heavy corridor seeking a 209A defense lawyer Allston MA can get guidance on both the restraining order hearings and any related criminal case.
5. Restraining order violation defense. Violating an order can become a new criminal charge, even if the violation seems minor or accidental. Attorney Cole examines whether the defendant received proper notice, whether the alleged contact actually occurred, and whether the evidence meets the prosecution’s burden. Clients searching for a restraining order violation lawyer Medford MA can get fast, practical help.
Serving Neighborhoods and Cities Across Greater Boston
Based in Brighton, the firm represents clients across Boston and neighboring communities. People looking for a domestic assault lawyer East Boston MA can reach Attorney Cole to discuss charges that arise from family or household disputes. The firm also serves Allston, Back Bay, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, Dedham, Dorchester, Downtown Boston, Jamaica Plain, Malden, Medford, Newton, Quincy, Somerville, South Boston, Waltham, and Watertown.
Attorney Cole is fluent in English and Portuguese. In a criminal case, miscommunication can be costly, so clear communication is part of the defense. The firm’s clients can discuss their cases in the language they are most comfortable with and expect honest guidance about their options.
What a Strong Defense Looks Like
Every criminal case has two sides, and the accused is presumed innocent. Depending on the facts, a vigorous defense may focus on questions such as these:
- Were the defendant’s rights violated during a stop, search, or questioning?
- Did the alleged victim have a motive to accuse?
- Is the accuser’s story consistent and accurate?
- Has the prosecution proven beyond a reasonable doubt that alcohol or drugs were involved?
- Was the defendant acting in self-defense?
Attorney Cole also advises clients on difficult strategic decisions, such as whether to fight a case at trial or accept a plea, and whether to testify. A plea or an admission to sufficient facts can carry consequences that range from losing a driver’s license to far more serious long-term effects, so these decisions deserve careful, informed discussion.
About Attorney Peter Cole
Attorney Peter Cole graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 2006 and has spent nearly 20 years practicing in courts across eastern and central Massachusetts. His primary focus is criminal defense, and he also has experience in immigration law and civil litigation. He is supported by legal assistant Olivia Viti, a Suffolk University student pursuing a degree focused on law and criminal justice, who works with him in the office and in the courtroom.
Conclusion
Domestic violence, OUI/DUI, assault and battery, and 209A restraining order cases carry serious penalties and move quickly. The first steps after an accusation often shape everything that follows. The Law Office of Peter Cole offers clients a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience, bilingual communication, and a commitment to protecting their rights at every stage. Whether you need an OUI DUI lawyer in Brighton, an assault and battery lawyer in Dedham, a 209A defense lawyer in Allston, a domestic assault lawyer in East Boston, or a restraining order violation lawyer in Medford, the firm is ready to listen and to fight for the best possible outcome.
About The Law Office of Peter Cole
The Law Office of Peter Cole is a Brighton, Massachusetts criminal defense firm led by Attorney Peter Cole. The firm defends clients accused of OUI/DUI, assault and battery, domestic violence, 209A and restraining order violations, drug offenses, larceny, probation violations, firearms charges, and more across Greater Boston. Learn more at https://pcolelaw.com/.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer do?
A Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer protects the rights of people accused of crimes such as domestic assault and battery or violating a restraining order. This includes reviewing the police report, challenging how evidence was gathered, interviewing witnesses, negotiating with prosecutors, and defending the client at hearings and trial.
2. Should I talk to the police if I am accused of domestic violence?
No, not before speaking with a lawyer. A person who is not guilty should not confess to something they did not do, and even a guilty person should speak with counsel first. Officers may suggest that admitting something will help, so get advice about possible defenses and consequences before making any statement.
3. Can I be charged if I only responded to a message from someone who has a restraining order against me?
Yes. Any violation of a restraining order can lead to criminal charges, and responding to a message the protected person started can still count. The court order must be followed exactly, regardless of motive or good intentions. If you have questions about what an order allows, ask a lawyer before taking any action.
4. Will I go to jail if I am convicted of assault and battery or an OUI/DUI?
Possibly. The law sets a potential term of imprisonment for most crimes, and some serious offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences. Where there is no mandatory minimum, a lawyer can argue for alternatives such as probation or a suspended sentence. Ask about the potential penalties for your specific charge early, since that knowledge shapes every decision that follows.
5. Should I take a plea or go to trial?
It depends on the facts of your case. Many criminal cases settle before trial, but any trial carries risk, even when the defense is strong. Before deciding, ask your lawyer about the full consequences of a plea or an admission to sufficient facts, including effects on your license, employment, and future.
Media Contact
Organization: The Law Office of Peter Cole
Contact Person: Eli Ruben
Website: https://pcolelaw.com/
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +17817767461
Address: 70 Hichborn St, Unit 2C, Brighton, MA 02135
City: Brighton
State: Massachusetts
Country: United States
Release id: 50256
View source version on King Newswire:
Peter Cole Expands Defense for Domestic Violence, OUI, Assault and 209A Cases in Greater Boston
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