Judge Grants Diversion
My client was facing old charges for possession of counterfeit money and possession of fentanyl. My client was worried that she would lose her job if she got convicted of the counterfeit money charge. I filed a motion asking the judge to place my client in a diversion program. The District Attorney objected. I was able to demonstrate that the client was actually a victim of domestic violence. She had called the police for help, and when they got there, they searched her bags and found the counterfeit money and drugs. The judge placed my client in a diversion program and ordered her to take a 4-hour drug class and a 4-hour anger management class. She completed those and the case was dismissed three months later. Continue reading →
All Charges Dismissed by Judge
My client was accused of knowingly possessing and transporting a stolen trailer and very expensive side-by-side. I could see that there were problems with the District Attorney’s case and tried twice to talk them into dismissing it, but they refused. I challenged the District Attorney’s evidence at a preliminary hearing, and the court discharged all counts, dismissing my client’s case. Continue reading →
Felony and Jail Time Avoided
My client was charged with a felony DUI involving injury. I collected positive information about my client and advised her to enter outpatient treatment and enroll in a DUI class. Based on my client’s efforts to rehabilitate herself, the District Attorney agreed to resolve the case as a misdemeanor with alternative sentencing so she did not have to go to jail. Continue reading →
Convictions Avoided
My client was facing three criminal cases. In one case, I was able to obtain text messages that proved my client was victimized by an internet predator and that is what led to the actions charged in one of cases. I set the case for trial. Instead of proceeding to trial, the DA dismissed two of the three pending cases, and offered informal diversion for twelve weeks on the third. My client will have no convictions associated with any of these cases. Continue reading →
Felony Case Dismissed
My client was charged with felony domestic violence. I fought the charge at a preliminary hearing, where I presented significant evidence of self-defense, defense of property, and other evidence that undercut the District Attorney’s case. At the end of the hearing, I argued that the charge should be reduced to a misdemeanor, and the judge agreed. I set the case for jury trial and continued to press the District Attorney’s office to dismiss the case due to lack of evidence. I communicated with multiple levels of District Attorney supervisors and finally succeeded in getting their agreement. The case was dismissed. Continue reading →
Mental Health Diversion Granted
My client was charged with kidnapping, robbery, carjacking, and assault with force likely to create great bodily injury, all felonies that carry the possibility of prison time. I challenged the District Attorney’s evidence at a preliminary hearing and brought to light weaknesses in the case against my client. I filed a motion asking the judge to grant my client mental health diversion. At the contested hearing on my motion, I pointed out the weaknesses in the District Attorney’s case against my client. The judge granted my motion and allowed my client to engage in treatment. If she successfully completes diversion, all of her charges will be dismissed. Continue reading →
Case Dismissed at First Appearance
My client was charged with operating a vehicle without an active motor carrier permit and no carrier ID displayed on the vehicle. Client got proof of correction of the permit and proof of permit and we were able to present that at the first court appearance. The case was dismissed on the spot. Continue reading →
Felony Reduced to Low Level Misdemeanor
My client was charged with assault with force likely to create great bodily injury, a felony that carries the possibility state prison time. I thoroughly reviewed the police reports and was able to show the District Attorney that they would have trouble proving that charge. I collected positive information about my client and investigated whether the alleged victim wanted to prosecute. Based on everything I presented to the District Attorney, they agreed to resolve the case for a misdemeanor Disturbing the Peace charge, 15 days on alternative sentencing, and one year of probation. This resolution protected my client’s gun rights as well as avoiding jail time. Continue reading →
Charge Reduced
My client was charged with felony burglary. I fought the charge at a preliminary hearing. When the District Attorney saw how difficult it would be to prove their case at trial, they agreed to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. My client did not have to serve any more time in jail. Continue reading →
Charges Dismissed
My client was charged with possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. I pointed out to the DA that they had no evidence connecting my client to the drugs or to the paraphernalia, the case was old and could have been challenged for failure to prosecute in a timely manner, and my client had no criminal history related to drug use. The DA agreed to dismiss the case. The dismissal protected my client from potential immigration consequences. Continue reading →
Avoided Driver’s License Suspension
My client was charged with a misdemeanor DUI. The DMV was going to suspend their driver’s license, so we set it for a hearing with a DMV hearing officer. I pointed out to the DMV hearing officer that the police officer did not properly administer the breath tests. The hearing officer did not impose the license suspension, and my client retained his right to drive. Continue reading →
Client Protected from Double Prosecution
My client was facing serious felony charges related to a residential robbery. My discussions with my client led to diligent investigation. We discovered that my client had already pled guilty to misdemeanor charges that arose from the same arrest that formed the basis for the felony charges. I argued to the court that, because my client had already faced consequences from the charged incident, further prosecution was barred. The judge agreed. The felony case was dismissed and my client was released from custody. Continue reading →
Marijuana DUI – No Charges Filed
My client was arrested for a DUI based on allegedly having marijuana in his system. I created a packet citing scientific articles that explain how marijuana impairment is not correlated with field sobriety tests or toxicology results. I pointed out that my client did not drive poorly, was only stopped for a fix-it ticket violation, and cooperated with police. After considering all of the information I provided, the District Attorney decided not to file any charges. Continue reading →
Felony Charge Reduced-Jail Time Avoided
My client was charged with felony conspiracy to commit a crime. We fought the charge at a preliminary hearing, and succeeded in getting the judge to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. I was able to demonstrate to the District Attorney how difficult it would be for them to prove the case at trial, and highlighted my client’s youth and lack of prior record. The District Attorney agreed to resolve the case for no further jail time. Continue reading →
Diversion Leads to Dismissal
My client was charged with underage drinking. I collected positive information about my client and presented it to the District Attorney and to the Judge. The Judge agreed to give my client a chance in diversion. Once my client completed community service, and two 4-hour classes about underage drinking and drug and alcohol awareness, the judge agreed to dismiss the charge and seal the arrest records. Continue reading →
Immigration Complications Avoided
My client was charged with a hit and run. I collected positive information about my client, including proof of a valid driver’s license and insurance. My client demonstrated they could obey all laws for three months, and the District Attorney agreed to dismiss the case and seal the arrest records. This protected my client from having to deal with complications during the immigration process. Continue reading →
Diversion Granted
My client was cited for a misdemeanor state parks violation. At the first court appearance, I brought to the judge’s attention my client’s youth, lack of prior record, education, and employment status. After considering this information, the judge granted diversion for the limited period of one month, allowing my client to earn a dismissal of the misdemeanor. Continue reading →
Mistrial Means Less Time in Custody
My client faced charges in three cases. We went to jury trial on one of the cases to fight the charges. At trial, the District Attorney failed to advise their witness not to talk about my client’s uncharged acts. I moved for a mistrial and the judge granted my motion. Because of the mistrial, the judge and District Attorney were willing to negotiate a resolution of all three cases for less jail time than my client would have received after trial. Continue reading →
Strike Offense Dismissed
My client was charged with felony criminal threats, which is a strike under the Three-Strikes Law and carries the possibility of serving time in state prison. I fought the charge at a preliminary hearing and demonstrated that the accuser’s statements were not reliable. After the hearing, the DA dismissed the strike offense in exchange for a plea to a lesser charge. Continue reading →
Immigration Consequence Avoided
My client was charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. I instructed my client to participate in self-help meetings (AA/NA). With proof of his attendance at the meetings, the District Attorney agreed that if my client continued to attend meetings twice a week for six months, the case will be dismissed. A dismissal will help my client avoid immigration consequences that otherwise would have resulted from a conviction. Continue reading →