Criminal Defense
An Experienced and Zealous Criminal Defense Attorney
William O'Neil has been providing high quality legal representation in criminal cases in Western Massachusetts for over 25 years. With an office conveniently located in East Longmeadow, he has a wide range of experience in handling cases from OUI and drug cases to murder trials and complex multi-defendant cases.
He is qualified to practice in all courts in every county of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Attorney O'Neil serves as a Criminal Justice Act Panel attorney in the federal court and has been certified by the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) as having the appropriate knowledge and experience to defend clients charged with murder. He is also a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
William O'Neil has experience in all types of criminal matters including:
- Motor vehicle homicide
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Domestic violence
- Drug distribution and trafficking
- Murder and manslaughter
- Sexual assaults of adults
- Sexual abuse of children
- Fraud and embezzlement
Massachusetts Criminal and OUI Cases
If you or someone you know has been arrested, you may want to know some basic information about Criminal Law in Massachusetts. Attorney William O'Neil provides answers to many of these common legal questions at his office. If you have a question about a case you or a loved one may be involved in, contact Attorney O'Neil to get questions answered about the specifics of that matter. Every case is different. The best "answer" and as well as the most approach depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding that specific matter.
Criminal Defense
William O'Neil has over 25 years' experience in the Massachusetts Superior, District, and Appellate Courts, and the Federal District Courts in Springfield, Worcester, and. Boston. He has a proven track record of success in notable trials such as:
Stanley Slonka – Mr. Slonka was convicted armed assault with intent to murder in Springfield. He served five and a half years in state prison before an appeals court ordered a new trial. Attorney O'Neil was appointed to represent Mr. Slonka at his re-trial. After a two and one-half week jury trial, Attorney O'Neil obtained a not guilty verdict for Mr. Slonka and he was freed.
Charles Wilhite – In this well publicized case, Mr. Wilhite was initially convicted of murder for hire of an individual outside of a storefront in Springfield. After the first trial, two government witnesses came forward indicating that they had been pressured to implicate Mr. Wilhite. Attorney O'Neil fought for and won a new trial on Mr. Wilhite's behalf. He obtained an acquittal for his client at the second trial which allowed Mr. Wilhite to return to live with his family.
Stanley Slonka – Mr. Slonka was convicted armed assault with intent to murder in Springfield. He served five and a half years in state prison before an appeals court ordered a new trial. Attorney O'Neil was appointed to represent Mr. Slonka at his re-trial. After a two and one-half week jury trial, Attorney O'Neil obtained a not guilty verdict for Mr. Slonka and he was freed.
Charles Wilhite – In this well publicized case, Mr. Wilhite was initially convicted of murder for hire of an individual outside of a storefront in Springfield. After the first trial, two government witnesses came forward indicating that they had been pressured to implicate Mr. Wilhite. Attorney O'Neil fought for and won a new trial on Mr. Wilhite's behalf. He obtained an acquittal for his client at the second trial which allowed Mr. Wilhite to return to live with his family.
Photo Credit to Masslive
Eduardo Martinez Colon – Mr. Colon was charged with murdering his estranged wife's boyfriend after finding him and the wife in their bedroom in Holyoke. Arguing that Mr. Colon was defending himself from an attack by the boyfriend, Attorney O'Neil obtained an acquittal for his client.