Case Results

Violent Crimes

Murder - People v. Oiram A. – Client was charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances, gang enhancements, and two counts of attempted murder. After a jury trial, client was acquitted of the attempted murder charges. The jury was deadlocked on the two counts of murder 7 to 5, and the matter is pending re-trial.

Murder - People v. Hugo R. – Client was charged with 1st degree murder, facing 25 years to life in state prison. After jury trial, client was acquitted of murder. He was convicted of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter, which was what we had argued for. Instead of life in prison, the client was sentenced to 6 years.

Murder - People v. Juan S. – My client was charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances for allegedly shooting a man with an assault rifle from his car window. The special circumstances were dismissed after the preliminary hearing and the case went to trial. The jury was deadlocked on the murder counts, resulting in a mistrial.

Attempted Murder - People v. Dario A. – Charged with two counts of attempted murder with a shotgun, client was facing over 50 years to life in prison. The jury agreed that he was not guilty of the attempted murder, instead convicted my client of accessory after the fact for which he was sentenced to 2 years in custody.

Attempted Murder - People v. Carl Z. – My client was charged with two counts of attempted murder with a handgun against his ex-wife and her new husband. If convicted he was facing over 40 years to life in prison. The jury accepted out defense of voluntary intoxication, presented using expert witnesses, and found my client not guilty of all charges. He went home that same day.

Attempted Murder - People v. Jeffrey W. – Client, an alleged gang member, was charged with attempted murder with premeditation, and discharge of a handgun. He could have received 35 years to life if convicted. After a jury trial he was acquitted of all charges and released from custody.

Attempted Murder - People v. Jesse B. – Jesse, along with a co-defendant, was accused of five counts of attempted murder with a handgun, and of being a gang member. He faced multiple life terms if the charges were found true. After the trial, the jury rejected all of the prosecutor's arguments against my client. While his co-defendant was convicted, Jesse was found not guilty of all the charges and released from jail.

Manslaughter - People v. Daniel N. – Client was being investigated by the police for his alleged role in the death of a young man who was given drugs and overdosed. Through work on the case prior to filing, the district attorneys' office agreed to refuse to file any charges against Daniel.

Manslaughter - People v. Hugo R. – Client was charged with 1st degree murder, facing 25 years to life in state prison. After jury trial, client was acquitted of murder. He was convicted of the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter, which was what we had argued for. Instead of life in prison, the client was sentenced to 6 years.

Assault & Battery - People v. Adam H. – Adam was accused of battery against a security guard while attending a CIF championship football game and arrested. After investigating the matter and presenting the information to the prosecutor, the charge was dismissed.

Assault & Battery - People v. Stephen M. – Client was arrested by Sheriff's deputies after a flight attendant on a domestic airline accused him of assaulting her over a dispute. Facing possible loss of his job, and even incarceration, we set the case for jury trial. At the last minute the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the case.

Assault & Battery - People v. Evan S. – Evan and three of his friends were arrested for assault and battery, and a hate crime allegation. We investigated the incident and met with the deputy district attorney who was assigned the case. The prosecutor was convinced of the innocence of my client and his friends, and agreed not to file the criminal charges.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon - People v. Jaime Q. – Client, a border patrol agent, was accused of assaulting a Santa Ana police detective in a love triangle dispute. The case went to jury trial, resulting in verdicts of not guilty on the contested counts. Read more.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon - People v. Christopher M. – Accused of felony assault with a pool cue and bar stools during a bar fight causing serious injury, Christopher was facing a prison sentence. The case went to jury trial, resulting in a hung jury on the assault with a deadly weapon charge. Later, the prosecutor dismissed the felony charges and my client pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge, avoiding any jail time.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon - People v. Bailey W. – Charged with a "third strike" for felony assault with a knife causing injury, my client was facing 25 years to life in prison. The case went to jury trial, resulting in a verdict of not guilty.

Assault With a Deadly Weapon - People v. Karen E. – Client was accused of felony assault with her vehicle, which would result in a lifetime driver's license revocation, among other penalties. We were able to negotiate the case down to a misdemeanor charge, preserving Karen's driver's license and avoiding imprisonment.

DUI

DUI - People v. Jason W. – Jason was arrested for DUI and resisting arrest after running away from the police after a traffic stop, all captured on the patrol car's video camera. Based on legal issues that we found, we set the case for jury trial. Prior to commencing the trial, the prosecutor decided to dismiss all the charges.

DUI - People v. Tom M. – Client was accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. We set the case for trial and eventually convinced the prosecutor to dismiss the DUI charges.

DUI - People v. Chad M. – Chad was facing a DUI with a recent prior conviction, and a separate charge for being drunk in public. Facing a prosecutor's recommendation of 120 days in jail, we were able to avoid any actual time in custody by completing an alcohol rehabilitation program.

Sex Crimes

Molestation - People v. Vernon S. – A high school track coach was accused of molesting several of his female athletes during training sessions. The case went to jury trial twice, each resulting in hung juries. After the second trial, the prosecutor dismissed the case entirely. Read more.

Kidnapping, Rape - People v. Pedro F. – Client was charged with kidnapping and forcible oral copulation. He allegedly took a woman to a park against her will, and then held her at his house for several days. The defense proved that the woman was actually in a relationship with Pedro and lied about the incident. The jury found my client not guilty.

Sexual Assault - People v. Juan D. – Juan, an immigrant from El Salvador, was accused of molesting his 9 year old niece. Police detectives testified that he admitted the sexual assault during the interrogation. The defense presented cultural evidence that Juan was in fear of the police so his confession should be disregarded. After jury trial, he was acquitted of all charges.

Rape - People v. Besnik D. – Client was accused of forcible rape by an employee and arrested. Investigation of the allegation and multiple contacts with the detectives and assigned deputy district attorney resulting in the prosecutor deciding not to file any criminal charges.

Luring a Minor - People v. John F. – John was charged with using the internet in an attempt to lure a minor to a park for a sexual offense. The minor was actually an undercover police officer who the client met in a chat room. The prosecutor sought a prison term but we were able to negotiate a sentence of 10 days in jail and 60 days of house arrest.

Sexual Battery - People v. Alonso G. – A public school teachers aide was accused of sexual battery of a disabled student. We were able to negotiate a dismissal of the sexual battery charge before trial.

Lewd Acts - People v. Charles S. – Client was arrested, and accused of committing a lewd act against his biological daughter. Pre-filing investigation resulted in no criminal charges being filed.

Other Crimes

Kidnapping - People v. Pedro F. – Client was charged with kidnapping and forcible oral copulation. He allegedly took a woman to a park against her will, and then held her at his house for several days. The defense proved that the woman was actually in a relationship with Pedro and lied about the incident. The jury found my client not guilty.

Internet Crimes - People v. John F. – John was charged with using the internet in an attempt to lure a minor to a park for a sexual offense. The minor was actually an undercover police officer who the client met in a chat room. The prosecutor sought a prison term but we were able to negotiate a sentence of 10 days in jail and 60 days of house arrest.

Strike Felonies - People v. Bailey W. – Charged with a "third strike" for felony assault with a knife causing injury, my client was facing 25 years to life in prison. The case went to jury trial, resulting in a verdict of not guilty.

Strike Felonies - People v. Jay B. – Jay was facing a 25 years to life sentence for a third strike drug offense. The case went to jury trial twice. The first trial ended in a hung jury, and the second resulted with a verdict of not guilty.