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John E. MacDonald is a trial attorney practicing criminal defense, immigration law and post-conviction relief in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Mr. MacDonald represents clients in state and federal court in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He has aggressively and successfully defended clients charged in every type of criminal case, including capital murder, child molestation, sexual assault, felony assault, domestic assault, patient abuse, bank fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. He is the former president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. For a review of the prior criminal cases, see Cases.
Mr. MacDonald is the author of Rhode Island Criminal Defense, A Practice Manual (4th Edition), a top rated trial manual used by criminal defense attorneys throughout Rhode Island. See below.
Mr. MacDonald represents clients seeking permanent residence and naturalization. He practices before the Providence Immigration Office and the Boston Immigration Court. For many clients facing deportation, the only recourse is post-conviction relief; that is, vacating the original conviction in state or federal court. Mr. MacDonald has successfully vacated convictions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. For a review of prior immigration and post-conviction results, see Cases.
Mr. MacDonald is an honors graduate of Suffolk University Law School (1995) and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Rhode Island (1990). He is admitted to practice in all state courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Districts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
The criminal defense lawyers here have the expertise and experience to successfully represent the accused for crimes from a simple traffic stop to a murder charge. We have represented aggressively and successfully clients facing felony or misdemeanor charges in the state and federal courts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts for cases such as:
- Drug Possession
- Domestic Assault
- Assault and Battery
- Sexual Assault
- DUI
- Molestation
- Criminal Fraud
The immigration lawyers of The Law Office of John E. MacDonald, Inc. successfully represent clients at the Boston Immigration Court and Providence Immigration Office. We successfully terminate deportation cases in the Boston Immigration Court. We also help our clients obtain permanent residence through adjustment of status in the United States or consular processing abroad. Clients seeking US citizenship obtain our services to ensure that their petition is filed and approved quickly.
Attorney John MacDonald works with many clients whose immigration status requires vacating a criminal conviction or modifying the sentence. If you or a family member or friend requires post-conviction relief representation in Massachusetts or Rhode Island for the purpose of ameliorating adverse immigration consequences, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
5
Practice Areas
31 years | 5,000 cases
31 years | 1,500 cases
31 years
31 years
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
State: Rhode Island
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
One Turks Head Place, Suite 1440, Providence, RI, 02903
aggressivelegalservices.com/
Showing 1 - 5 of 23 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Ed | January 23, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Best Defense Lawyer in Rhode Island
My son was falsely charged with a serious crime and held without bail. Our family was in an unfamiliar and terrifying situation. I contacted the law office of John MacDonald. John promptly returned my call and calmed our fears as he explained what he could do to help us. He acted immediately by vis...
Posted by David | August 06, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Attourney John E. MacDonal authored the book, Rhode Island Criminal Defense.
Attorney John E. MacDonald is an expert criminal defense attorney who made me feel comfortable, putting my mind at ease within the first few minutes of his cost free initial consultation. Mr. MacDonald's responsiveness to my call for help was immediate. My initial contact with his office w...
Posted by AT | May 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
A Defense you can count on
John was recommended to me by a well-respected attorney who I had met with. He recommended John to handle the complexity of my case. In his words “John wrote the book on Criminal Defense in Rhode Island”. From the very first phone call, I could tell he was the right person for the job. He developed a...
Posted by anonymous | January 17, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Highly recommended
We hired John on recommendation to help our son in a horrible allegation that had no proof and a very dire outcome of 10-life incarceration. After he was contacted, John went immediately to the facility and spoke to my son. He got him out of incarceration and on his way home in two days on bail. He ...
Posted by anonymous | November 10, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Persistent Professional
John was a constant professional in dealing with my case. He kept me well informed throughout the entirety of process and always had my best interest. A couple of curveballs were thrown our way and John knocked them all out the park. His knowledge and persistence made me feel comfortable & confident....
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"John is an expert in criminal defense and post conviction relief in MA and RI. He serves hiss clients with integrity, intelligence and dedication. I unequivocally recommend him for criminal defense cases."
Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"John is the expert- he is a mentor to new lawyers and a consummate professional. You are in good hands with this attorney."
"I endorse Attorney MacDonald. I have tried several cases with Attorney John MacDonald. John is an excellent attorney with a command of the law second to none. He works tirelessly to achieve the best possible results for his clients. Moreover, he is always willing to lend his expertise and assist fellow attorneys."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. MacDonald is a skilled and respected member of the legal community. He is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of his clients."
"I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"John is one of the most experienced criminal defense attorneys in Rhode Island and arguably the best attorney on the market. He has paved the road for success and has excelled in ways that most attorneys can only imagine. I endorse John MacDonald."
"Reliable attorney"
"I endorse this lawyer. John cares about his clients and getting them the results they deserve. You would be well served to consult with Mr. MacDonald."
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2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
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2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Top Criminal Attorneys in Rhode Island, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2001 - Present
Owner, The Law Offices of John E. MacDonald
1995 - 2001
Public Defender, Rhode Island Public Defenders Office
1995 - Present
Rhode Island Bar AssociationMember
1995 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember
Member
Member
Member
Not guilty after trial
Convictions vacated and client released from ICE custody.
Client recovered $300,000
1995
JD with High Honors
1990
BA - magna cum laude
2017
Ethical Dilemmas facing RI Criminal Attorneys
2013
2013
2012
Impact of Criminal Convictions in Immigration Court
2011
Immigration Law
2010
Ethics in Criminal Defense
2010
Padilla v. Kentucky
2014
English
Legal Answers