Practice Areas in MA & RI
Criminal defense, OUI & DUI, clerk-magistrate hearings, and restraining orders — for clients across Attleboro, Bristol County, and Rhode Island.
Explore all practice areas
Criminal Defense
- DUI & OUI
- Drug and narcotics
- Assault and battery
- Restraining order violations
- Resisting Arrest
- Criminal motor vehicle offenses
- Disorderly conduct & disturbing the peace
- Larceny and shoplifting cases
- Breaking and entering & burglary related
- Conspiracy
- Probation Violations
Whatever you’ve been charged with, you don’t have to face it alone. Misdemeanor and felony defense across Massachusetts and Rhode Island — from domestic violence and assault to drug, firearms, and probation matters.
Family Law
- Divorce and separation
- Child support and custody disputes
- DCYF & DCF matters
- Prenuptial agreements
- Restraining orders (209a)
Expunge & Seal Records
Your past mistakes shouldn’t close doors forever. A CORI or BCI record can affect everything from employment to housing and education.
I work with clients in MA & RI to:
Seal their criminal records
Petition for expungement when eligible
Together, we’ll take the steps toward clearing your record and giving you the fresh start you deserve.
Restraining Orders & Harassment Prevention Orders
Restraining orders move quickly and carry real consequences — for the person seeking protection and for the person facing the order. Whether you need protection from someone who has harmed or threatened you, or you’ve been served with an order that puts your reputation, your housing, or your firearm rights at risk, Attorney Meaghan Fiske represents clients on both sides of these matters in courts across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Types of Protective Orders in Massachusetts
209A Abuse Prevention Orders. A 209A order (often called a restraining order or a no-contact order) is available to people who have a family or household relationship with the other party — for example, a spouse, partner, someone they live with, or a co-parent. It can order the other person to stop abuse, have no contact, stay away from a home or workplace, and surrender firearms.
258E Harassment Prevention Orders. A 258E order is available more broadly — including against neighbors, co-workers, or acquaintances — where there is no family or household relationship. It applies to qualifying acts of harassment, stalking, or certain other conduct.
Types of Protective Orders in Rhode Island
Family Court Domestic Abuse Protection Orders. For spouses, former partners, co-parents, or family and household members.
District Court Protective Orders. For people who dated or were in a romantic or intimate relationship, or who do not qualify for Family Court.
Superior Court Restraining Orders. For neighbors, coworkers, acquaintances, landlords and tenants, or anyone without a family or dating connection.
How to Get a No-Contact / Restraining Order in Massachusetts
If you’re seeking protection, you can request an order at the courthouse (and, in an emergency outside court hours, through an emergency order). Courts often issue a temporary order right away, followed by a hearing — typically within about ten days — where a judge decides whether to extend it. Attorney Fiske helps clients prepare and present their request clearly, gather supporting evidence, and advocate at the hearing so the order reflects what they actually need.
Served With a Restraining Order? Protect Your Rights
Being served with a restraining order is serious. A final order can affect where you live, your contact with your children, your job, and your right to possess a firearm — and violating an order is a separate criminal offense. You have the right to be heard at the hearing. Attorney Fiske defends clients against 209A and 258E orders, challenges unsupported allegations, cross-examines witnesses, and works to prevent an order from being issued or extended when the evidence doesn’t support it. She also defends people charged with violating an existing order.
Restraining Order FAQ
How do I get a no-contact order in Massachusetts?
You request an order at the appropriate court (District, Probate and Family, or Superior), or through an emergency order if the court is closed. A judge can issue a temporary order and then hold a hearing, usually within about ten days, to decide whether to extend it. An attorney can help you prepare your request and present it effectively.
What’s the difference between a 209A and a 258E order?
A 209A abuse prevention order applies when the parties have a family or household relationship. A 258E harassment prevention order is broader and can apply to people without that relationship, such as neighbors or coworkers, in qualifying harassment situations.
Can I fight a restraining order taken out against me?
Yes. You have the right to appear at the hearing and be heard. An attorney can challenge the allegations, present evidence and witnesses, and argue that the order should not be issued or extended. Because the consequences are significant, it’s wise to have representation.
What happens if I violate a restraining order?
Violating an active order is a separate criminal charge and is taken seriously by the courts. If you’ve been accused of a violation, speak with a criminal defense attorney right away.
Need a restraining order or been served with one? Call Attorney Fiske at (508) 343-0846 for a confidential consultation.
Clerk-Magistrate Hearings in Massachusetts
Many misdemeanor offenses in Massachusetts begin with an application for a criminal complaint rather than an immediate arrest. In these cases, you may be entitled to a clerk-magistrate hearing — sometimes called a “show cause” hearing — before any formal criminal charge issues. This is one of the most valuable opportunities in the entire process: it’s your chance to keep a charge off your record before it ever appears.
What Is a Clerk-Magistrate (Show Cause) Hearing?
A clerk-magistrate hearing is held to decide whether there is probable cause to issue a criminal complaint. Rather than an arrest, the police apply for a complaint, and the clerk magistrate holds a hearing where both sides can be heard. It gives you a chance to present evidence, explain the circumstances, and persuade the clerk magistrate not to issue a complaint. Successfully resolving a matter at this stage may prevent criminal charges from ever being filed — which means no arraignment and no entry on your record.
Why Representation at This Stage Matters
Because a favorable result can stop the case before it starts, early legal help can be decisive. Attorney Meaghan Fiske regularly represents clients at clerk-magistrate hearings throughout Massachusetts and has persuaded courts not to issue complaints in a wide variety of cases. She prepares the facts, identifies weaknesses in the application, and presents mitigating information the magistrate needs to hear — often the difference between walking away clean and facing formal charges.
Clerk’s Hearing FAQ
What happens at a clerk-magistrate hearing?
The clerk magistrate hears from the police (or complaining party) and from you or your attorney, then decides whether there is probable cause to issue a criminal complaint. If the magistrate declines to issue the complaint, the matter can end there — with no formal charge and no arraignment.
Can a clerk’s hearing keep a charge off my record?
Yes. If the clerk magistrate does not issue a complaint, no criminal charge is entered, so nothing appears on your record from that application. That’s why the hearing is such an important opportunity.
Do I need a lawyer for a show cause hearing?
It’s strongly recommended. An attorney can present your side effectively, challenge the strength of the application, and offer the magistrate reasons to resolve the matter without issuing a complaint.
Received notice of a clerk-magistrate hearing? Call Attorney Fiske at (508) 343-0846 before your hearing date.
If a complaint does issue, here’s how criminal charges are defended.
Take Back Control of Your Future
Your future is too important to leave to chance. Call now to get the advocacy you deserve.
Call Meaghan H. Fiske Today: