Boston, MA criminal defense attorney J. W. Carney Jr. talks about how he handles the media for his clients accused of a crime. He explains that while his firm, Carney, Gaudet & Carney, does not seek publicity, many of their cases naturally attract media attention. He does not shy away from engaging with the press, noting that simply saying “no comment” can be perceived as an admission of guilt.

He strives to manage media interactions strategically to benefit his clients. Recently, he was invited to speak at a journalism convention about his “Ten Rules for Handling the Media,” which were well-received; some reporters in the audience even acknowledged having experienced his approach firsthand. His focus is on ensuring that any publicity surrounding a case reflects favorably on his clients.