Violence and Self-defense

Injury to an Elderly Individual – No-Billed by Grand Jury

A female professional, this client had rented a room to an elderly man. During an argument, he grabbed the client, and she slapped him to break free. Police came to the scene, investigated, and arrested our client, charging her with a felony. We were able to get pictures of the injuries sustained by our client and additional evidence to present to the grand jury, establishing self-defense. Grand jury no-billed the case, barring further prosecution.

Aggravated Assault/Murder* by a Police Officer – Not Guilty Returned by Jury at Trial

This client was a police officer who responded to a suspicious person call about two people in an automobile. Despite the officer’s repeated commands, the two people in the car refused to exit the vehicle or show their hands. Our client saw the vehicle reverse in the direction of other officers and shot to defend his fellow officers. This case went to jury trial where we cross- examined the government’s witnesses and provided our own. We were able to show that the officer’s conduct was justified under the law. Our client was acquitted of all charges and went home to his family.

*Case was filed as an aggravated assault by a police officer because it is easier for the prosecution to prove than murder, and it carries the same punishment range.

Assault of a Peace Officer – Felony Reduced to a Ticket with Deferred Probation

A young professional with no criminal history was involved in a dispute at a bar. A police officer tried to break up the fight and claimed she hit him in the face. We used photographs and witnesses from that night to show that our client was not the one who started the fight and has no history of misbehaving. Her intentions for all action were to get away from the crowd, not to assault an officer. Case was reduced to a ticket for Disorderly Conduct.

Aggravated Robbery – Dismissed

This client was a young man with no prior criminal history. He was accused of robbing three men at knife point. Later that night, police arrested him wearing similar clothes to the alleged robber, near the location of the incident. Based on weaknesses of the case and our client’s hard work at improving himself even after the charges, we negotiated a dismissal of the charges.

Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon (with eyewitness identification) – Case Dismissed

We used phone records and another robbery with the same MO to show that client was not guilty. The DA dismissed the case.

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon – No-Billed by the Grand Jury

This client was a very successful professional who was leaving a party when a security guard tried to stop him in the dark. Our client hit the security guard with his vehicle, and police filed an aggravated assault charge against him. After working with the complaining witness to take care of his injuries, the complaining witness requested that the Grand Jury no-bill the case. Case was no-billed and expunction is pending.

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon – No-billed by the Grand Jury

We lowered this client’s bond, then presented a letter with his defense to the Grand Jury. These efforts resulted in a “no bill,” which means the Grand Jury did not proceed with the case.

Five Counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Cases Dismissed

We enhanced the surveillance video to show the 19-year-old client was not carrying a gun in the incident. The DA dismissed the cases.

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Case No-Billed

We used Facebook Live video of the alleged victim to show that the client acted in self- defense. The Grand Jury decided not to proceed with the case.