When someone is arrested for illegal possession of a firearm in Massachusetts, the legal road ahead can feel hopeless—especially when there’s a mandatory minimum sentence attached. But what many people don’t realize is this: the outcome of a criminal case involving illegal possession of a firearm isn’t just about what the police found. It’s about whether they found it lawfully. Being charged with illegal possession of a firearm carries serious consequences, making it important to understand your legal rights.
This distinction made all the difference in a recent case handled by Attorney Adela Aprodu, a seasoned criminal defense lawyer in Massachusetts.
Facing 18 Months for Illegal Firearm Possession
Attorney Aprodu’s client was pulled over during a routine traffic stop. During that stop, the police discovered a firearm and ammunition inside the vehicle. The client admitted to possessing the gun, and the Commonwealth charged him with possession of a firearm without a license, a serious charge that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 18 months in jail under Massachusetts law.
The evidence appeared overwhelming—and the consequences seemed unavoidable in this case of illegal possession of a firearm.
Challenging the Stop: A Motion to Suppress
But Attorney Aprodu wasn’t interested in the surface-level facts. She dug deeper into the constitutionality of the police stop itself, analyzing whether law enforcement had acted within their legal authority when initiating the stop and seizing the weapon. It was vital to challenge the illegal possession of a firearm charge against the client.
After identifying significant constitutional issues with the police conduct, Attorney Aprodu filed a motion to suppress the evidence, including both the firearm and the client’s confession. At the hearing, three officers testified about the circumstances surrounding the stop. Attorney Aprodu argued forcefully that the search and seizure violated the Fourth Amendment and the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights.
The hearing lasted over three and a half hours. The judge ultimately took the matter under advisement before issuing a decision that allowed the motion to suppress, ruling that the evidence was obtained unlawfully in this case of illegal possession of a firearm.
No Firearm Evidence, No Case
With the firearm, ammunition, and confession all suppressed—meaning the prosecution could not use them in court—the case collapsed. The Commonwealth chose not to appeal the judge’s decision. Instead, on the day the trial was set to begin, the prosecution filed a nolle prosequi, formally dismissing the charges.
The client, once facing an 18-month mandatory minimum jail sentence for illegal possession of a firearm, walked free.
Why This Matters
Massachusetts has some of the toughest gun laws in the country. A conviction for unlicensed firearm possession can lead to severe mandatory jail time. But just because you’re charged with a crime doesn’t mean you’re guilty—or that the evidence against you is even admissible.
As Attorney Aprodu often reminds her clients, it’s not just about what the police found—it’s about whether they had the legal right to find it. In this case, challenging the illegal possession of a firearm charge and the stop itself made the difference between jail and freedom.
Protect Your Rights. Protect Your Future.
If you’re facing charges for illegal possession of a firearm, firearm possession without a license, or any offense with a mandatory minimum sentence, you need an attorney who understands the law and isn’t afraid to challenge improper police conduct.
Attorney Adela Aprodu is an experienced criminal defense attorney serving Massachusetts, known for fighting unlawful searches and delivering real results for her clients. Whether the evidence seems overwhelming or non-existent, your rights matter—and your case deserves a thorough review.
Call Aprodu Law today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you fight back.
