Select Case Accomplishments
Unless there is consent to public exposure, identifying client information is removed to protect confidentiality.
Three clients sentenced to the functional equivalent of life without the possibility of parole when they were fourteen or fifteen years old returned to juvenile court pursuant to Penal Code section 1170(d)(1) and People v. Heard (2022) 83 Cal.App.5th 608, these former minors cannot be sent back to prison and no longer have an adult criminal conviction!
Three client’s resentenced to time served who were convicted of murder when they were sixteen or seventeen at the time of the crime, and convicted to more than 50-life, each having served more than 20 years.
Client resentenced and released after 41 years in prison, the majority of which was spent on death row!
Minor found not guilty of robbery.
Resentencing of youthful offender to 25-life, striking the strike prior, and rendering him eligible for youth offender parole.
Release of client after 17 years of incarcerated, successfully arguing he could not be convicted of murder today, and client’s case resolved with a lesser charge in juvenile court. Released with no adult criminal record!
Man Released after 23 years of a third strike life sentence based on exceptional conduct!
With co-counsel Jeffrey Douglas, and the National Lawyers Guild Mass Protest Defense project, won full dismissals on constitutional grounds for all 25 individuals arrested in Beverly Hills during the George Floyd protests.
Represented Otis Boone in his second trial and exoneration. Before my representation, Otis, then 19 years old, was convicted of two knife point robberies, one involving a stabbing, entirely based on the identifications made by two white men. He was sentenced to twenty-five years. The conviction was based on mistaken eyewitness identification. After his case was reversed on appeal, he was granted a second trial. At his second trial, I presented expert testimony on the factors that lead to false identifications, including the cross-race effect. His case is cited in the now mandatory cross-race identification instruction in New York. His story can be found at the National Registry of Exonerations, The New York Times, and The Appeal, among other news outlets.
Granted admissibility hearing on controversial DNA evidence in Federal Court, after extensive briefing, expert affidavits, and oral argument, leading to nearly time-served offer being extended to client facing life on federal gang conspiracy related charges.
Dismissal of residential burglary charges after admissibility hearing, where defense expert testified about cross-race identifications and child memory.
Achieved full acquittal after jury trial in gun point robbery case. The incident was partially captured on video and would have been client’s second serious violent felony. He was facing 25 years in prison.
Achieved full acquittal after trial in slashing allegations, charged as the same level offense as attempted murder. Allegations were made by ex-wife and her new partner. Forensic pathologist testified as a defense expert about the apparent age of the wound when the complainant arrived at the hospital. Client was facing 25 years.
Full dismissal in attempted murder and robbery charges after defense testimony presented to the grand jury. Client testified to self-defense during a robbery of drug dealers. Client denied participation in robbery, but struggled over gun with drug dealers, who believed he was involved, when gun fired hitting one of the individuals in the stomach.
Full dismissal in felony marijuana, search warrant case for immigration at-risk client, after defense testimony in the grand jury.
Full dismissal in felony drug search warrant case, after defense testimony presented to the grand jury.
Full dismissal of felony gun charge after defense testimony presented to he grand jury.
Dismissal of hate crime enhancement and most serious assault with a weapon charge after multiple defense witness testimony presented to the grand jury, remaining charges dismissed on the eve of trial.
Full dismissal of unlawful felon in possession of gun and robbery charges, after winning pretrial suppression of the gun. Client was facing his second violent felony charge.
Full dismissal of felony drug charges after successful suppression of all evidence in pretrial hearing due to illegal pat-down after vehicle stop.
Suppression of all physical evidence pre-trial in high-profile serial dating, drugging and stealing allegations for client with serious immigration risks. All felony charges subsequently dismissed.
Misdemeanor plea after treatment in arson case, where fire in full apartment building caused infant to be hospitalized. Battered women expert retained and produced extensive mitigation report. Fire started during beating from client’s abuser. Client faced 25 years in prison.
Dismissal of most serious (attempted murder equivalent) assault charge and hate crime enhancement after defense testimony and video presented to the grand jury. Client became eligible for probation.
Misdemeanor after treatment, and no sex offender registration, negotiated in allegation of course of sexual conduct against a child.
Misdemeanor probation and least restrictive sex offender registration requirements (name not listed in public database) in felony allegations of sex with 14 year old minor.
Full dismissal of charges, drugs and gun, after full suppression of evidence after pre-trial hearing based on illegal entry and search of the apartment. Court ruled officer incredible (lying).
Full dismissal of robbery charges after alibi evidence presented to the prosecution, including video obtained through defense investigation.
Full trial acquittal of charges of bringing contraband into Rikers Island.
Full trial acquittal in domestic violence and child abuse allegations. An eyewitness testified in addition to the accuser.
Full trial acquittal in felony vehicle code charges. Defense witnesses testified.
Full trial acquittal in lewd exposure case.
Full trial acquittal on assault charges where prosecution presented photographs of injuries.
Full trial acquittal in DUI case where client passed out and struck a police car.
Full trial acquittal in hit and run case after demonstrating officer lied in his police report.
Full trial acquittal of DUI charges with immigration at-risk client.
Full dismissal of DUI charges, with immigration at-risk client, following suppression of prosecution evidence.
Acquittal of all but the per se DUI allegation in case charging fleeing the police, and multiple vehicle and traffic law charges.
Hung jury in DUI blood draw case with .10 BAC, where client found passed out in car at traffic light. Prosecution finally offered reckless driving after hung jury.
Won disputed competency hearing, after multiple experts testified, leading to dismissal of all charges.
Full dismissal of felony DUI charges after speedy trial hearing, where prosecutor was forced to take the stand so I could cross-examine her.
Full dismissal of felony gun charge after judge granted defense opposition to motion for client’s DNA.
Alternative to incarceration treatment program negotiated for young client accused of hitting man repeatedly in the head with a brick.
Involved transgender rights community in raising bail for transgender client held at Rikers Island, housed with and sexually assaulted by men while incarcerated. Negotiated probation after her release.
Negotiated non-violent pleas in otherwise mandatory life cases.