San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyers Case Results

ARREST CHARGE

MASSIVE DRUG BUST CASE

RESULT

A client found himself in a huge legal mess after being arrested in connection with a huge drug-dealing operation on a naval base. When investigators searched his apartment they found more than 50 grams of cocaine as well as substantial amounts of Ecstasy and prescription drugs. Armed with this evidence prosecutors and probation officers insisted that the client be ordered to spend at least 180 days in jail. However, when it came time for him to be sentenced Sevens Legal lawyers put together an aggressive presentation and oral argument that convinced the judge to allow the client to serve his entire sentence in a residential treatment program instead of behind bars. Our attorneys also overcame prosecutors' objections and also convinced the judge to allow our client more than two months to find a suitable program in which to enroll.

ARREST CHARGE

COCAINE CRIMINAL PROTECTIVE ORDER REMOVED

RESULT

A Vista couple had some serious legal entanglements after a fight in which the wife was charged with inflicting corporal punishment to a spouse or cohabitant. The wife was severely distraught because she was remorseful and wanted to work out her problems with her spouse but was faced with a criminal protective order that had been issued against her, preventing her from meeting with her husband. After the judge refused to remove the order Sevens Legal attorneys convinced the judge to listen to the spouse at a court hearing and after doing so the judge finally agreed to removed the order. The client was astounded and very emotional because the couple had been separated for three works and they are living together again and working out their problems.

ARREST CHARGE

SOLE PROVIDER SAVED

RESULT

A Chula Vista man who was the sole provider for his family, which included an infant daughter, was facing a serious jail sentence after repeated drunken driving offenses. He was busted for driving with a blood-alcohol level almost twice the legal limit and had two prior drunken-driving convictions within the last 10 years, which means he faced mandatory jail time of convicted on the most recent offense. Desperate to avoid jail and continue providing for his family he contacted Sevens Legal and our attorneys began extensive negotiations with prosecutors, who insisted upon a jail term. Both sides deadlocked with prosecutors seeking a jail sentence and our lawyers arguing for an adult electronic surveillance program which would allow him to continue to work. That left it up to a judge to decide and our arguments prevailed, with the judge granting a sentence with no jail time.

ARREST CHARGE

LOST CAUSE OVERCOME

RESULT

A man hired Sevens Legal at the last minute after being told by every attorney he contacted that they couldn't help him get out of jail, where he was being held without the possibility of bail. He had been arrested on a warrant for a felony probation violation because he failed a drug test and hadn't reported to his probation officer for three years. These violations of his probation on a felony conviction exposed him to at least 120 days of custody. Over vigorous opposition from prosecutors and probation officials our lawyers convinced the judge to allow the man to be released from jail on his own recognizance � without posting bail � with a promise to appear in court later as his case proceeded.

ARREST CHARGE

ILLEGAL OFF-ROAD LIGHTS CASE

RESULT

When San Diego police officers made a traffic stop of a North County man for allegedly driving with illegal off-road lights they also became suspicious of the man's sobriety. The administered a sobriety test and determined he was under the influence and arrested him. The man hired Sevens Legal and our attorneys determined that the officers conducted an illegal stop and search and that the evidence from the sobriety test was illegally obtained and could not be used against him. The judge in the case agreed with our legal argument and the evidence of driving under the influence was suppressed and will be excluded.

ARREST CHARGE

Woman Charged with Grand Theft Larceny, Burglary & Robbery - Client placed on 3 years probation and public service.

RESULT

Client decides to enter a retail department store with a friend to steal some designer jeans. She is viewed and recorded on the security camera placing three pairs of expensive jeans into a bag (worth $700). They both leave the store and her friend tries to runaway from security. Client places her hand on one of the security guards to stop them from hurting her friend. She is charged with Grand Theft, Burglary, and Robbery, felonies. At her first readiness hearing, I was able to convince the prosecutor to allow the client to plead to a grand theft charge as a felony, with the understanding that in 18 months it would be reduced to a misdemeanor. At sentencing, client was placed on three years unsupervised probation, ordered to perform 20 days of Public Work Service and 100 hours of volunteer work. Client received no jail.

ARREST CHARGE

Client Served with Temporary Restraining Order - dismissed.

RESULT

Charges blocked.

ARREST CHARGE

Gross vehicular manslaughter, while intoxicated

RESULT

I represented a husband and wife who were served with a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and an order to appear at a Restraining Order Hearing before a Superior Court Judge. The crisis was apparent when my clients explained their current career objectives; the wife was actively studying her way through nursing school, and the husband's past as a military police officer was allowing him to apply for a mid-level position in a local law enforcement agency. It was essential that we defend against allegations of a single woman who claimed my clients yelled at her and pushed her once at a company party. After cross-examining the plaintiff and her one witness, I presented our case before the Judge. In closing, I demonstrated to the Judge that both of my clients had no role, hence no liability, in the current action brought by the woman. Unfortunately, in our current legal system, the burden of proof needed by a plaintiff in such an action is relatively low. It was a huge relief, and a great sense of satisfaction knowing that my clients will be able to pursue their dream without fear of having any future licensure problems.

ARREST CHARGE

Client charged with a DUI - Client was found not guilty on all charges

RESULT

Client was charged with a DUI. The city attorney's office was adamant about their case and would not offer any 'deal' at all. We decided that taking the case to a jury trial was the best option. Client was stopped by police officers in an alleyway behind a local bar. Client was sitting in the passenger seat of his vehicle. The vehicle was on, the engine was warm, and the car was blocking a portion of the alleyway. There were also beer cans surrounding the area around the vehicle. It was argued that our client was not driving the vehicle while he was intoxicated, and therefore he was innocent; the jury agreed. The jury found that there was not enough evidence to rebut our claim that the client had not driven the vehicle at all since consuming alcohol. Client was found not guilty on all charges.

ARREST CHARGE

Abuse Charges Dismissed At Trial

RESULT

A. H., age 12, claimed that she received a black eye and a punch in the face at the hands of her 4 foot 11 inch, 94 pound stepmother. The stepmother, H.H., vehemently denied the abuse charges. Nevertheless, the case was reported to the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). In desperation, H.H. retained Sevens Legal to defend her. The county lawyers tauntingly said "Just go ahead and plead, the Judge always sustains our petitions." After reviewing the case, attorney M.D. determined that "a plea deal" would not be in the best interest of the client and requested a trial instead. The Sevens Legal investigative team interviewed 30 witnesses to create a defense. It turned out that A.H. was a state Tae Kwon Do champion who had defeated a 14-year-old boy for her title. Additionally, A.H. had been under the care of a family therapist and a psychologist. She had been diagnosed with "Oppositional Defiant Disorder." Moreover, it was discovered that A.H. had falsely reported several other episodes of violence as well. During the presentation of the State's case, attorney M.D. cross examined the State's key witness and impeached the testimony. The effect was devastating. Upon completion of the State's case, M.D. made an oral motion to dismiss the physical violence charge. The motion was granted even before the firm had presented its defense. The trial continued on the sole remaining psychological abuse charge. When the county attorney presented the closing argument fraught with logical traps and "half-truths," attorney M.D. quickly responded. During the defense attorney's close, M.D. pointed out the fallacious reasoning and false assumptions in the State's case. The Judge smirked and M.D. knew the stepmother had won. The judge dismissed all the abuse charges. Both the father and mother broke into tears and left satisfied that justice had been done.

ARREST CHARGE

Driving Under the Influence

RESULT

Client CG, who is a member of the military, was charged with Driving Under the Influence with a Blood Alcohol Level of .15. This charge carried a fine of over $1600.00, enrollment in the First Conviction Program, and a DUI on his record which will remain for 10 years. Additionally, Client CG faced administration separation from the military if convicted of a DUI. Client CG was spotted by law enforcement stopped on the side of the freeway. When the officer approached CG's vehicle, the engine was off, keys were not in the ignition and Client CG was asleep at the wheel. The officer asked client to step out of the vehicle, administered field sobriety tests and determined that client CG was under the influence. The officer asked CG to drive his vehicle off the highway to a safer location. Client CG was then taken to the station and given a blood test which registered at a .15. Client CG met with attorney CS to discuss possibilities of his case and stressed the importance of continuing his military career which would end if he were convicted of a DUI. CS aggressively and diligently conferred with the District attorney assigned to the case and pointed out the lack of evidence regarding actual driving while under the influence and the questionable actions of the officer. CG pleaded to a charge of a driving/reckless and was required to pay a fine of $500.00. Most importantly, Client CG was able to remain in the military without the stigma of a DUI.

ARREST CHARGE

Jury Trial Results in Not Guilty Verdict

RESULT

RV was charged with driving under the influence under statutes VC 23152(a) and 23152(b). He was looking at a forfeiture of his driver's license since he refused to take a chemical test. The police officer that arrested RV found him in the driver's seat of his vehicle with the door closed. The key was in the ignition with it turned to the "on" position. The hood was warm, but the engine was not running. Lastly, the vehicle had abruptly stopped and was blocking a portion of the alleyway. Several empty beer cans littered the inside of the vehicle and also covered the ground around the vehicle. To make matters worse, RV had a blood alcohol level of 0.23 over double the legal limit. At trial, the attorney TS was able to convince the jury that RV never drove the vehicle after becoming intoxicated. The attorney proved that the client drove to the alleyway, parked his vehicle, went into a bar, came out of the bar, bought a case of beer and continued to drink with a friend near his car that was still parked in the alleyway. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on all counts. If you have been charged with a serious crime please call us immediately. We are here to help.