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Boston / Cambridge MA Weapons Offense Criminal Defense Attorneys

It is a crime in Massachusetts to deface or alter the serial number on a firearm. The defacement or altering of a firearm’s serial number is a crime governed by M.G.L 269 section 11 (c). A conviction for defacing a firearm’s serial number results in minimum sentence of 1 month but no more than 2 ½ years in the house of corrections and a $200 fine.

“Whoever removes, defaces, alters, obliterates or mutilates in any manner the serial number or identification number of a firearm, or in any way participates therein, shall be punished …. ”
In order to prove the defendant guilty of this offense the Prosecutor must prove three things beyond a reasonable doubt:

  1. That the item in question was a firearm;
  2. That defendant knew that it was a firearm; and
  3. That the defendant intentionally removed, defaced, altered, obliterated or mutilated in some manner a serial or identification number on the firearm.

The Prosecutor doesn’t need to prove that every part of the serial number was altered or defaced. Instead the prosecutor must only prove that some part of the serial number was intentionally removed, defaced, altered, scratched out, or destroyed by the defendant.

Charged With Defacing or Altering a Serial Number on a Firearm? Call (508) 588-0422 For A Free Initial Consultation

No matter where you are located in Southeast Massachusetts, our gun charge attorneys are just a phone call away. To schedule a free, no-obligation case review and free consultation with an experienced Brockton / Plymouth County MA Criminal Defense Trial  Lawyer call our law offices at (508) 588-0422. When you make the call, rest assured you have taken your first step to find out how best to confront the charges you are facing and in ensuring your constitutional rights are not violated. You can also use our Free Case Evaluation Form to submit information about your case in confidence, or to request that we contact you.

Our knowledgeable and experienced Cambridge criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan are available to assist clients throughout all of Massachusetts, including but not limited to Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Hingham, Wareham, Middleboro; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Wrentham, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham; and Middlesex County including Cambridge, Lowell, Somerville, Newton, Woburn, Framingham, Malden, Chelsea, Everett, Arlington, Medford and Waltham; Cape Cod, Barnstable, Falmouth and Worcester; Essex County including Lynn, Lawrence and Salem; and the Greater Boston area including South Boston, Revere, Dorchester and Roxbury.