Rappaport & Delaney Attorneys At Law

01/12/2026

Rappaport & Delaney Year in Review

Rappaport & Delaney extends our sincere gratitude to our clients and to all who refer criminal matters to us. Your trust and confidence in our representation of individuals accused of crimes remain the foundation of our success.

As 2025 came to a close and we transitioned into 2026, Rappaport & Delaney not only finished the year strongly, but carried that momentum into the new year.

Trial Successes

Attorney Steven Rappaport –
In December, Senior Partner Steven Rappaport, despite being semi-retired, demonstrated once again his ability to command a courtroom from jury selection through verdict.

He represented a client charged with possession of a firearm and a large-capacity feeding device allegedly seized from the client’s residence. The Commonwealth also introduced a rap video in which the client appeared to be holding a similar feeding device. At first glance, the government’s case appeared difficult to overcome.

However, in his opening statement, Attorney Rappaport—drawing on his trademark courtroom storytelling—made powerful references to both Bob Marley and Johnny Cash, challenging the assumptions underlying the government’s narrative. More importantly, the Commonwealth had never conducted an expert comparison between the feeding device in evidence and the one in the video.

The jury returned a Not Guilty verdict in short order.

Attorney Sean Delaney –
This past week, Attorney Sean Delaney represented a client on Martha’s Vineyard accused of operating a boat under the influence of alcohol. The vessel had become beached on Chappaquiddick shortly after departing Edgartown Harbor.

The evidence once again seemed substantial: body camera footage suggested the client appeared heavily intoxicated, and the investigating state trooper testified that the client admitted to operating the boat. However, no body-camera footage corroborated that alleged admission. Additionally, the actual captain and owner of the boat—who was also present—admitted on body camera that he was operating the vessel and that the beaching resulted from his mistake.

At the close of the evidence, Attorney Delaney renewed his Motion for a Required Finding of Not Guilty, arguing that the only evidence of the client’s operation was the uncorroborated alleged admission. After a lengthy hearing, the judge granted the motion, entering a
Required Finding of Not Guilty.

Looking Ahead
2025 was one of Rappaport & Delaney’s most successful years on behalf of our clients, and 2026 has begun with equal promise and achievement.

If you are in need of experienced and effective criminal defense counsel, please contact us for a free consultation.

Visit our website at www.rdlaw.org.

11/21/2024

Rappaport & Delaney wishes to thank all of our clients for the trust they put in our attorneys as another successful trial week was had by both Attorney Rappaport & Attorney Delaney.

First, Senior Partner, Steve Rappaport in a First Degree Murder Trial - which may be his last before embarking on his well deserved retirement, secured a Hung Jury in the Murder 1 Indictment and a Not Guilty on the Intimidation of a Witness Indictment allowing his client to continue to fight for his freedom.

The reports from the courtroom were that Attorney Rappaport’s opening and closing statements were masterful. Even better than that was his surgical cross-examination of the detectives and immunized witness.

This case was an example of a jury having an issue with both an inadequate police investigation and not crediting the testimony of an immunized witness - who received a get out of jail free card from the DA’s office for his involvement in the murder.

If this was Attorney Rappaport’s last murder trial - it was certainly one of his best over his storied career as a Criminal Defense Attorney.

In other trial news, Attorney Delaney was successful in his defense of a client who was charged with OUI Second Offense. This was a case in which the 3 law enforcement witnesses embellished the client’s driving and physical appearance - which was not caught on any video. However, the government’s own booking video which was introduced by the defense - not the prosecution - depicted the client in a very different light. The jury returned a Not Guilty verdict within 30 minutes of deliberation.

08/09/2024

Another Jury Trial victory for Attorney Sean Delaney in the Barnstable District Court - in a case which began with charges of Home Invasion and multiple counts of Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (boiling water) - which Attorney Delaney was able to get dismissed prior to trial - it left the client facing 2 counts of Assault with Dangerous Weapon (knife). Attorney Delaney demonstrated how to effectively use the law enforcement witnesses to bolster the client’s defense and he coupled that with a skillful cross examination of the only alleged victim to testify (1 alleged victim asserted his 5th Amendment Privilege) eviscerating the witness’ credibility. Ultimately, the trial judge allowed Attorney Delaney’s Motion for a Required Finding of Not Guilty as to one count of Assault Dangerous Weapon. Then, the jury within 15 minutes of deliberation returned a not guilty verdict on the remaining count.

07/19/2024

Barnstable District Court - OUI 3rd Offense - Required Finding of Not Guilty

Our Office is thrilled to announce that Attorney Sean Delaney secured another trial victory on behalf of our client. Attorney Delaney was successful in excluding any evidence of both operation and public way which resulted in the trial judge granting a motion for required finding of not guilty. This verdict allowed the client to avoid a mandatory jail sentence and to move forward with her life.

05/23/2024

Trial Victory in the Edgartown District Court

Rappaport & Delaney is pleased to report that yesterday Sean Delaney as trial counsel secured a victory for another client. A jury returned a not guilty verdict in less than an hour of beginning deliberations. Client was charged with OUI 4th Offense and Negligent Operation - Government presented 5 Law Enforcement Officers and a civilian as witnesses. As attorney Delaney informed the jury during his opening the only issue in this case was whether the government had proof beyond a reasonable doubt that his client was operating the vehicle. The jury agreed with the defense theory in the case that one officer at least embellished about who was operating the vehicle and the then Sgt. now Police Chief lied about a statement made by the civilian witness concerning the defendant operating the motor vehicle. This case was won during jury selection. It is refreshing to know that jurors can conclude when witnesses, especially law enforcement witnesses, are not telling the truth. As an aside, the jury was made up of all women. They ranged in age between early 30’s to late 70’s.

12/19/2023

Rappaport & Delaney is pleased to report that today Sean Delaney as trial counsel secured a victory for another client. A jury returned a not guilty verdict within an hour of beginning deliberations. Client was charged with OUI. Government’s sole evidence of under the influence was the client’s admission of drinking a beer nearly 6 hours before his vehicle was stopped. A conviction could have had significant collateral consequences for our client as he is a legal immigrant and employed as a nurse. Both his ability to remain in this country and continue working as a nurse could have been negatively impacted by a guilty verdict.

12/01/2023

Required Finding of Not Guilty on All Counts -
Another Trial Victory for Our Trial Team of: Sean Delaney, Trial Counsel; Steven Rappaport, Trial Advisor/Consultant; Steve Benanti, Accident Reconstructionist; and Shaun Ferris, Investigator.
On 12/15/2019, after a hasty & inadequate investigation, client was unjustly arrested and wrongfully charged with intentionally discharging cement on a passenger vehicle - striking that driver with the cement truck - striking another vehicle and leaving the scene of incident on Route 93S in Wilmington.
After government presented its case - judge finds government witness lacked all credibility and that government did not present sufficient evidence on any counts of the complaint.
Because of Covid & Years long legal battle over exculpatory evidence, Client & his family endured 4 years of torment & stress, which included client losing his job following his arrest and deteriorating mental health. Client survived because of the love & support of his wife & family. Such a devastating effect because of inadequate police investigation & untruthful witnesses.
After the court decision, Client thanked everyone and stated he can’t wait for Christmas so he can spend that day with his family volunteering at a homeless shelter. If convicted Client would have missed this Christmas and probably a couple of more. There were many hugs & tears of joy after the court decision.
Rappaport & Delaney appreciates the trust that clients put in our law firm.

07/14/2023

Another great week for clients of Rappaport & Delaney Attorneys At Law - on Wednesday, Steven Rappaport achieved a not guilty for a client charged with possession of a firearm which was found in a vehicle that the client was operating but did not own.
Then on Thursday - Sean Delaney achieved a not guilty for a client accused of a domestic assault & battery - a charge that was based upon clearly false allegations and at trial it was obvious to the jury that the complaining witness lacked any credibility.

05/18/2023

Congratulations to my partner, Steven J Rappaport and my great friend and colleague, Ryan Sullivan on a well tried case resulting in a Not Guilty verdict for their client on a Murder 1 charge.

02/29/2020

https://www.wcvb.com/article/inmate-left-bloodied-after-encounter-with-correction-officers/31142476

The correction officers, in their reports, say the inmate was the aggressor, attacking them with a pen.