Criminal Defense

Notable Recent Outcomes of Criminal Defense Cases

State v. J.M.

USE OF FIREARM IN COMMISSION OF CRIME OF VIOLENCE

Client charged with Assault 1st degree, Assault 2nd degree, Use of Firearm in Commission of Crime of Violence and False Imprisonment, which had client facing a possibility of over 25 years, $3,000.00 fine or both, including a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison. It was alleged that client pulled a firearm on fiancée, they were locked in a room, and client would not let fiancée leave despite multiple commands from various police officers to let her go.  Defense claimed that Client actually protected alleged victim from being harmed and in fact acted in defense of others, and after multiple day jury trial, jury agreed with Defense and found Client Not Guilty on most serious charges of Assault 1st, 2nd, Use of Firearm in Commission of Crime of Violence. Client only found Guilty of False Imprisonment, which led to a minimal 6 month sentence.    

State v R.B.

FELON IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM

Unlawful possession of firearm, felon in possession firearm, which had client facing 3 years and 15 years with a mandatory of 5 years with no parole. Fire marshal was inspecting Client’s house after a fire, saw a handgun sticking out next to Client’s bed, took a picture, told Carroll County Sherriff’s Dept who ran his information, and determined that he could not be in possession of a firearm due to a prior felony conviction. After discussions with the State, Client pled tounlawful possession of a firearm and received a fully suspended sentence.

State v. M. B.

ASSAULT 2ND

Client charged with Assault 2nd which had client facing 10 years and or $2,500 or both. This was a Domestic Violence case where Client allegedly punched spouse in the face, with another witness present, and written statements were given by the alleged victim and witness. Client was Acquitted of the charge after a trial. (Carroll County)

State v S.F

ASSAULT 1ST, ASSAULT 2ND, USE OF DEADLY WEAPON

Client, was 19, charged with Assault 1st , Assault 2nd and Use of Deadly Weapon. Client facing a possibility of over 25 years and or $2500.00 fine or both. It was alleged that Client went to a bar, and bashed in the face of Alleged Victim with a beer bottle, because she was messing around with her boyfriend.  Client was later arrested at gun point in her mother’s home. Defense argued to State that Client acted in self-defense and or it was mutual combat, and witnesses had been subpoenaed to support that theory.  After talking to a Bouncer at the bar, and our witnesses, the State dismissed all charges the day of Court.  ( Baltimore County)

State v J.S.

ASSAULT 1ST, ASSAULT 2ND, USE OF FIREARM IN PUBLIC FORUM

Client charged with Assault 1st degree, Assault 2nd degree, and Use of Firearm in Public Forum. Client facing a possibility of over 25 years and or $2,500.00 fine or both. It was alleged that client was in an altercation with their spouse, their child came to the house to get the clients spouse, and as they were leaving, Defendant allegedly pointed gun at them both and then fired the gun once they pointed it to the right of them, at which time they left and the police were called to try to get client out of the home.  After discussing the matter with the State, Client only did a NGASF to Assault 2nd degree, all the other charges were dropped, and after mitigation,  Defendant recieved time served.

State v K.O.

ASSAULT 2ND

Client charged with Assault 2nd degree, which had client facing 10 years and $2500.00 and or both. It was alleged that Client and another car became involved in a road rage incident, Client’s car came to rest at a red light, Client gets out of car, proceeds up to window and punches driver in the face, after which Client turns to walk away, however, other driver gets out of car, tackles Client to the ground, Client gets the better of him, and after other driver’s girlfriend gets out of vehicle threatening Client with a bat, Client gets in car and takes off, though Client’s license plate was already written down.  After discussions with the State, and despite adamant pleas to incarcerate Client, which was done via victim impact statements, after mitigation, Defense successfully got Client a fully suspended sentence.

State v E.W.

ASSAULT 2ND OF A MINOR

Client charged with Assault 2nd degree, which had him facing 10 years and or a $2,500 fine or both, where it was alleged that Client was in an altercation with his 15 year child because they had been out drinking, Client questioned them when they returned to find out where they were drinking, which led to an altercation where he slammed their head against a wall, hit them multiple times, and patted on them on the stomach to try and get them to throw up. A 911 call was made by the grandmother and another one of Client’s younger child was present. Client took our advice, enrolled in a program to help parent’s deal with these types of situations prior to trial, and after discussions with the State, who decided not to oppose a Probation Before Judgment, after mitigation from the Defense, Client received a Probation Before Judgment supervised for a year.

State v E.W.

HELD WITHOUT BOND

Held without bail, upon our entering the case for both the bail review and underlying assault case, Client was released on a $1,500 unsecured bond, which means they did not have to pay any money to get out of jail pending the trial.

State v J.Z.

THEFT LESS THAN 1000.00

Client charged with Theft less than $1,000 (at this time it carried up to 18 months in jail and or a $500 fine or both) (2017), where it was alleged that Client stole items from a store where they were working, which included jewelry, clothes and other items, and after a police sting, he was caught with the items in their possession. Client first hired another attorney, was not happy with the representation, so terminated them, and later hired our firm. Client was out on Parole for a serious charge and any new charge could send him back to prison. After discussions with the State, Defense convinced them to amend the Theft less than $1,000 to Theft less than $100 = 60 days in jail and or a $500 fine or both,  instead of State asking for substantial jail , Client only received five weekends and the Parole Retake Warrant was never issued.

State v K.C.M.

THEFT 100 - 1500

Client charged with theft $100  - $1,500, which had client facing 6 months and or $500.00 fine or both. It was alleged that Client stole items from a department store.On day of trial, Defense had charges dismissed.

State v J.C.

THEFT 100.00 - 1500.00 (17 COUNTS)

Client charged with 17 counts of theft, including, but not limited to, theft use of another’s credit card on multiple occasions, and theft 100 - $1,500, which had client facing over 6 months in jail and $500.00 fine and or both. Client used their bosses credit card to buy multiple items from various department stores, which Client never received permission to use. After discussions with the State, they dismissed 16 counts, Defense did a NGASF to theft $100 - $1,500, and after mitigation, Client recieved a Probation Before Judgment.

State v W.S.

POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE A NARCOTIC

Client charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Narcotic, specifically, crack cocaine, which had client facing 20 years. Client was set-up in a sting operation, and after conducting a K-9 scan of the vehicle, found close to 5 grams of crack cocaine between Clients’ backside. After discussions with the State, Client received 5 years, which included running a VOP concurrent to it.

State v B.N.

CDS POSSESSION NOT MARIJUANA ( MULTIPLE COUNTS)

Client charged with multiple counts of CDS Not Marijuana, Client facing a possibility of 1 year and or a $5,000.00 fine or both. Despite having a prior DUI, I convinced State to put the case on the STET Docket, not a conviction, with the only condition being client complete 50 hours community service in 6 months.

State v R.R.

CDS POSSESSION NOT MARIJUANA, DUI BY DRUGS, DWI BY DRUGS, LEAVING SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

Client charged CDS Possession not Marijuana, which had client facing a possibility of  1 year and or a $5,000 fine or both, and Failure to Remain at Scene of Accident = 1 year and or a $1,000 fine or both and 12 points, DWI while Impaired b Drugs and or Alcohol = 60 days and or a $500 fine or both and 8 points.  DUI  Driving While Impaired by Drugs = 1 year in jail and or $1,000 fine or both and 12 points. Client was in an accident, a witness advised that Client was driving, Officer goes to Client’s residence, notices them being slouched over on a bucket, having slurred speech, and a white substance on his lips, based on evidence, Client does SFST, 6/6 HGN, 6/8 WAT, 4/4 OLS, and is arrested for suspicion of DWUI, DWI, is taken to the station, and upon further search, find non-prescribed schedule II controlled dangerous substance.  Client was granted a Probation before Judgment on the DWI, and all the other charges were dismissed, including the CDS Possession Not Marijuana.

State v. A. B.

DWI BY DRUGS/ CDS POSSESSION NOT MARIJUANA

Client charged with (8) charges, including, but not limited to, CDS Possession Not Marijuana, Controlled Dangerous Substance Equipment, Driving While Impaired by Drugs and or Alcohol, Driving While Impaired by Drugs, which had client facing over 16 months, and or over $2,000.00 fine or both and over 20 points. It was alleged that client was stopped at a traffic light, it turned green, they did not go, so officer goes to assist driver, who is asleep at the wheel, their foot was on the brake, but car was still in drive and the engine was still running, the officer knocked on window several times to wake them up, and when they come to, they were lethargic and disoriented, pupils constricted and slurred speech, SFST, HGN 6/6, WAT 6/8, and OLS 3/4. The client followed our advice, entered into treatment for various things, and after discussions with the State, convinced State to only do on CDS Possession Not Marijuana and Negligent Driving. All the other charges were dismissed, and Client received a fully suspended sentence and only 3 points with the MVA. (Carroll County)

State v S.W.

CDS POSSESSION NOT MARIJUANA, CDS POSSESSION PARAPHENALIA

Client charged with CDS Possession Not Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphenalia. Client facing a possibility of 1 year and or a $5,000.00 fine or both. Client was stopped for unlawful lane change in front of police officer, which then caused another car to almost hit them, due to multiple indicators, a K-9 sniff was conducted, which then led to the officer finding over ten pills of oxycodone in a bottle not prescribed to Client. Client was granted a Probation Before Judgment.

State v R.H.

NEW TO ONGOING CASE FOR SENTENCING ONLY

This was for Sentencing only as the Public Defender handled the criminal case.  The most serious charge carried up to 15 year’s incarceration, State was seeking 8 years, after hearing from all Client’s witnesses, and extensive mitigation from Defense, Client received only 18 months local time, with recommended work release.