State v. T.J.

Our client was a local business. As part of an undercover operation, law enforcement seized $248,270.00 as being funds obtained from illegal transactions and dealing in stolen property. After providing law enforcement with voluminous records documenting the transactions, business records, accounting reports and arguing their lack of knowledge; we were able to get $231,270.00 returned to our client and no criminal charges were filed against the owners.

State v. R.D.
Case No. 11-CF-0464

Our client was charged with failing to register as a sex offender. He was facing mandatory prison. We convinced the State Attorney that he faithfully registered for many years and provided them documentation of legitimate reasons why he was late including housing issues, a family death and a bout with depression. The charge was dismissed.

State v. H.F.
Case No. 11-CF-0552

Our client was charged with a domestic violence against his son. We provided the State Attorney with evidence that the son was actually the aggressor and further records that he had previously been diagnosed with bi-polar disease and not taking his prescribed medication. The State dismissed charges.

State v. E.A.
Case No. 10-CF-13130

Our client was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Delivery of Cocaine within 1,000 Feet of a Park, a first degree felony. Depositions called into question whether any law enforcement officer actually saw the transaction. We filed a Motion to Disclose the Confidential Informant and were prepared to file a Motion to Dismiss. The client scored out to 46 months in prison but we convinced the State Attorney's Office to offer 36 months probation.

State v. N.K.
Case No. 10-CF-11198

Our client was charged with robbery of a store with a firearm, acting as the get-away driver. She had a significant history of drug addiction and based on a detailed drug evaluation and location of a residential treatment center, after a presentation, the State Attorney's Office offered a withhold of adjudication and 48 months probation instead of the 48 months of prison she scored out to receive.

State v. K.J.
Case No. 10-CM-2221

Our client was charged with harassing phone calls and violation of injunction. We subpoenaed the victim's cell phone records and were able to show the victim repeatedly contacted our client before and after the alleged incident. We also provided a witness who stated the victim had threatened our client on several occasions. The State dropped charges.

State v. B.M.
Case No. 10-CF-14928

Our client, 16 years old at the time, was charged as an adult with multiple burglaries, grand thefts and dealing in stolen property. We had him evaluated by a psychologist and drug addiction specialist who determined he had an addiction and mental health issues. At an open plea, and over the State's objection, not only did our client not go to prison, but was given juvenile sanctions.

State v. G.R.
Case No. 09-CF-17306

Our client was investigated for felony battery and burglary of a conveyance with assault or battery after an alleged road rage incident. We immediately located independent witnesses who saw the incident but were not interviewed by police. We also determined that the victim had a history of violence. A reconstruction of the accident showed that in fact the victim had collided with our client first and then he had to defend himself from an initial attack from the victim before having no choice but to injure him. No formal charges were filed by the State Attorney.

State v. A.D.
Case No. 09-CM-10430

Our client was charged with domestic violence battery. We intervened by contacting the estranged wife victim, negotiating the return of some property and she ultimately signed a waiver of prosecution of the charges. The prosecution then dismissed the case.

State v. H.R.
Case No. 09-CF-14298

Our client was charged with first degree murder and attempted robbery with a deadly weapon. After a thorough cross examination of a co-defendant who had turned State witness and the testimony of an expert forensic odontologist (dentist) showing that the witness had been bitten by the victim during the robbery, the jury deliberated almost five hours before returning not guilty verdicts on all charges.

State v. P.K.
Case No. 09-CF-9589

Our client was charged with delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver cocaine. His sentencing guidelines scored him to 35 months in prison. After filing a motion to suppress attacking the probable cause and the uncontrolled use of a confidential informant, the State offered our client a probation term and a with hold adjudication despite the fact that he was previously a convicted felon.

State v. M.P.
Case No. 10-CF-17647

Our client was charged with Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property (4 counts) and False Information to a Pawnbroker (4 counts) which scored him out to mandatory prison even with no prior significant criminal history. We provided the State Attorney's Office with an Affidavit from his girlfriend stating that the items pawned were her property (not alleged victim) and that our client had not stolen them. The State decided not to file theft or dealing in stolen property and our client was allowed to enter the Pre-Trial Intervention Program.

State v. C.O.
Case No. 07-CF-24285

Our client was charged with robbery of an elderly woman outside of a local bank. He made an admission to the crime after arrest. He was facing mandatory prison and a maximum penalty of fifteen years. We had our client evaluated for psychological issues and drug addiction. We put together school records, character letters and past good works of the defendant. The prosecution allowed us to speak directly to the victim. Our client was ultimately offered five years probation as a youthful offender.

State v. D.C.
Case No. 07-CM-8270

Our client was a nationally acclaimed author in Tampa on a book tour. A package containing drugs was delivered to his motor home in someone else's name. A search of this vehicle revealed an additional small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia. We filed a motion to dismiss/suppress attacking the probable cause and his knowledge of the existence of the drugs. The Court granted the motion and all charges were dismissed.

State v. E.M.
Case No. 08-CF-11683

Our client was charged with organized fraud, fraudulent insurance claim and patient brokering as the manger of a pain management clinic. Our client was facing a mandatory prison sentence of 37 months. After negotiating with prosecutors, including partial payment of restitution, the organized fraud was dismissed and our client was offered probation, a with hold of adjudication and early termination after paying the balance of restitution.

State v. S.C.
Case No. 08-CF-3413

Our client was charged with trafficking in cocaine carrying a three year minimum mandatory prison sentence. He shared the residence where the drugs were found with others. His knowledge and ability to control the drugs was questionable. In agreeing not to file a motion to dismiss, we were able to achieve a probation offer for our client.

State v. D.L.
Case No. 08-CF-16354

Our client was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. He had no prior criminal history. We had the marijuana independently weighed and determined that it did not meet the felony threshold weight of twenty grams. The charges were reduced to misdemeanor possession and he was offered a diversion program and after completion his charges would be dismissed.

State v. B.L.
Case No. 06-CF-21528

Our client was charged with armed robbery of a bank. In spite of the fact that she admitted her involvement to the police and was facing a ten year minimum mandatory prison term and a maximum sentence of life, we were able to convince the State that her cooperation was necessary. We presented a mitigation package to the State indicating her lack of criminal history and circumstances of the crime that they were not aware of and our client got the benefit of five years probation and no formal finding of guilt.

State v. R.A.
Case No. 06-CF-10169

Our client was charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering after being accused of being a member of the notorious "Latin Kings" gang. As part of a multiple defendant defense team, depositions were taken of testifying co-defendants, confidential informants and detectives. After more than a year of defending our client, a motion to dismiss because of police misconduct in their use of a confidential informant was granted by the court and all charges were dismissed.

State v. P.R.
Case No. 07-CF-16906

Our client was charged with multiple counts of trafficking in illegal drugs and obtaining a prescription by fraud. He was facing a fifteen year minimum mandatory sentence. After getting an evaluation and treatment that resulted in a dual diagnosis, we were able to convince the prosecution to waive the prison sentence. Additionally, the judge departed downward and sentenced our client to a residential drug treatment program and probation.

State v. R.C.
Case No. 07-CF-7139

Our client was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of cannabis with intent to sell or deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after she was arrested in a house where her boyfriend lived and a trafficking amount of cocaine was found. All charges were dropped after we provided sworn statements and written documentation that our client did not live at the residence and the prosecution could not prove that our client had knowledge that the cocaine was located in the house.

State v. E.P.
Case No. 07-CF-15008

Our client was charged with carjacking and robbery with a firearm. He insisted mistaken identity. We took 14 sworn statements of friends and family who testified that our client was at a family party at the time of the crime. Additionally, we discredited the witness and victim at deposition by pointing out their bias and multiple inconsistencies in their statements. Prosecutors dropped all charges.

State v. F.L.
Citation No. 2144-XCM

Our client was charged with DUI after driving his car into a residential home. We gathered medical records showing that our client had previous heart issues and further a psychological evaluation indicated he was under extreme stress. Prosecution offered a plea to a reduced charge of reckless driving.

State v. F.C.
Citation No. 8788-XCL

Our client was charged with DUI and refusing to submit to a breathalyzer. We were able to convince the prosecution that probable cause for the traffic stop was weak in that the drift from our client's car was within his lane of travel and not a traffic violation. Charges were dismissed.

State v. M.F.
Citation No. 5922-XEC

Our client was charged with DUI. The video revealed no probable cause to stop her vehicle. Additionally, she completed all Field Sobriety Tests in four inch heels without a flaw. She refused a breath test. We made an in-office presentation to a State Attorney's Office supervisor who decided to drop charges.

State v. C.S.

Our client was a college student being investigated for the sexual battery of another student he met at a party. We provided law enforcement with a private polygraph that corroborated that the encounter was consensual. We then provided the Detective with vital information from other witnesses and decided it was necessary to give a sworn statement. The State Attorney's Office determined there was insufficient evidence to file charges.

State v. S.B.

Our client was a 22 year-old young man who was being investigated by law enforcement for a lewd and lascivious act upon a 14 year-old girl. We were able to get into the case early and convince the State Attorney's Office to allow us to have our client evaluated. The evaluation showed he was not a risk to re-offend and the State Attorney's Office declined to file charges against him.

United States of America v. TA.
Case No. 8:08-CR-OO10

Our client was charged in federal court with Trafficking in Marijuana. His three year-old son fatally shot himself with a loaded gun that was bidden between the cushions in the couch. Upon investigation, law enforcement found a trafficking amount of marijuana located in a bedroom safe. We were able to convince the Government after investigation to not file manslaughter charges which would have subjected our client to an additional fifteen years in prison. He received the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range.

State of Florida v. R.C.
Case No. 08-CF-8047

Our client was charged with Trafficking in Heroin. Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver and Possession of Marijuana. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a home where our client was living. He was facing a 3 year minimum mandatory sentence with a maximum of 30 years in Florida State Prison. Additionally, he was a resident of Jamaica subject to deportation. Discovery and depositions showed that prosecutors would have a difficult time proving our client ever dealt in drugs or had the ability to control drugs. All charges were dropped except the possession of marijuana. We plead guilty and received probation with no conviction. This was an important outcome because our client was no longer deportable by pleading to the lesser charge.

United States of America v. D.B.

Our client was being investigated by U.S. Customs and the Department of Homeland Security regarding potential fraud in entering into contracts with individuals in foreign countries for the purpose of securing valuable German bonds. After producing documentation, c-mails, executed and valid contracts and a full forensic investigation of computers, we were able to convince the Government not to charge our client.

State of Florida v. S.B.
Case No. 07-CF-17261

Our client, a 16 year-old boy, was charged with bank robbery with a firearm. At sentencing, after pleading guilty to the charge, we were able to present sufficient evidence to have the court treat him as a youthful offender and incarcerate him in a youthful offender facility as opposed what would have been a mandatory 10 year prison sentence as an adult and a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in Florida State Prison.

State of Florida v. V.B.
Case No. 06-CF-21806

Our client was charged with attempted first degree murder after a neighbor was shot in an altercation. After months of investigation and finding an unbiased witness, we were able to convince the prosecutors that our client was not in fact the individual who fired the gun and the attempted first degree murder charges were dropped.

State of Florida v. HB.
Case No. 04-CF-20656

Our client was charged with Aggravated Battery with Serious Bodily Injury. During an altercation at a bar, it was alleged that our client struck a bar employee who fell and sustained serious brain damage. After retrieving the bar video and speaking to several other bar patrons, it was determined that our client did not strike the blow that actually caused the injury. Our client was allowed to enter into a diversion program on a lesser charge and ultimately all charges were dropped. This was extremely important for our client as she was enrolled in nursing school at the time and her further education was in jeopardy.

State of Florida v. D.C.
Case No. 07-CF.4173

A nationally renowned children's author was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia based on a package delivered to him while on a book tour. We were able to file a Motion to Suppress asserting that there was no probable cause to open the package, that the package was not meant for our client and that our client had no knowledge or ability to control the illegal contraband. The motion was granted and charges were dismissed.

State of Florida v. K.C.
Case No. 08-CF-3417

Our client was charged with Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. After law enforcement was called to our client's home due to a burglary they located illegal drugs during the search. A successful Motion to Dismiss determined that our client had no knowledge of drugs within the home and no ability to control them. No charges were filed.

State of Florida v. B.C.
Case No. 03-CF-15181

Our client was charged with first degree murder after a homeowner was robbed and shot to death. At jury trial, we were able to convince the jury that there was no premeditation involved in the act and further that our client might have fired the gun as a reaction to something that the homeowner did. He was convicted of the lesser charge of second degree murder and spared the penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

State of Florida v. RC.
Case No. 07-CF-7 139

Our client was charged with Trafficking in Cocaine and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Deliver. After a successful Motion to Suppress, the court determined that our client was not a permanent resident of the house in which the cocaine was found and further investigation by our firm showed that our client had not been involved in the trafficking or distribution of any drugs. All charges were dismissed.

State of Florida v. CD.
Case No. 07-CF-23973

Our client was charged with two counts of felony DUT with Serious Bodily Injury after a head-on collision. His breath alcohol result was in excess of .20. After the deposition of both victims, negotiations with prosecutors with regard to the payment of restitution, we were able to enter a plea to a reduced charge of misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor reckless driving. Our client was facing 30 years in Florida State Prison but received only two years of probation with DUE sanctions.

State of Florida v. H.D.
Case No. 06-CF-8297

Our client was charged with Trafficking in a Controlled Substance after a search warrant was executed by law enforcement on a house in which our client was located. Prosecutors had no evidence to suggest that our client was a resident of the home or had any access to the rooms where he drugs were found. After a Motion to Dismiss was granted, all charges were dropped.

State of Florida v. V.P.
Case No. 06-CF-7671

Our client was arrested for RICO, Conspiracy to Commit RICO, Organized Fraud over $500,000, two counts of Grand Theft First Degree over $100,000 and 76 counts of Grand Theft Motor Vehicle for stealing from a very prominent Tampa auto dealership. After initial investigation with included an exhaustive search of all records, auction receipts, witness statements and meeting with prosecutors, we were able to convince them to charge our client with only one count of Grand Theft First Degree and drop all other charges. Our client was initially facing 15 years in Florida State Prison but received only lengthy probation and was required to pay restitution.

State of Florida v. N.G.
Case No. 06-CF-371

Our client was stopped by the Florida Highway Patrol traveling on 1-75 through Bushnell. He was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to deliver as several pounds were found in the car. After the depositions of all law enforcement officers involved, we were able to convince prosecutors that evidence regarding our client's knowledge was minimal. Prosecutors agreed to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor possession of marijuana and the termination of our client's probation after serving only six months.

State of Florida v. H.H.
Case No. 06-CF-908

Our client was stopped by Alachua County law enforcement on 1-75 traveling through Gainesville. Florida. He was charged with Trafficking in Marijuana over 30 Pounds as located in bales in the trunk of his vehicle. Our client was already on probation for a trafficking in marijuana charge. After depositions and suggestion that knowledge of the drugs belonged to the passenger of the vehicle, prosecutors allowed our client to plead to probation as opposed to the 30 year maximum penalty or the 3 year minimum mandatory sentence that applies to a trafficking in marijuana conviction.

State of Florida v. B.C.
Case No. 03-CF-13012

Our client was convicted of sexual battery on a minor. Post conviction, we filed a motion asserting that his lawyer had been ineffective in representing him by failing to do proper discovery. The court granted the motion and our client was granted a new jury trial.

State of Florida v. L.L.
Case No. 04-CF-12308

Our client was charged with first degree murder after allegedly beating a female and placing her in a dumpster to die. The victim ultimately died resulting in the first degree murder charge. At jury trial, our firm was able to successfully argue to the judge that there was insufficient evidence for first degree murder and the judge entered an acquittal as to that charge. (See news article)

State of Florida v. J.L.
Case No. 02-CM-6779

Our client, who is a practicing lawyer, was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia for having a pipe in his briefcase when he came through security at the courthouse. We filed a Motion to Dismiss alleging that there was insufficient marijuana to be tested to verify whether it was in fact marijuana and further that the pipe found could be used for tobacco as well as marijuana. The court dismissed all charges after motion.

State of Florida v. J.N.
Case No. 06-CF-10796

Our client was charged with Aggravated Battery after an altercation at the Blue Martini bar left a victim with over $100,000 in medical expenses from head injuries. After we interviewed multiple bar employees and patrons and reviewed the bar's security tape, we were able to convince the prosecution that the victim was the aggressor and ultimately threw the first punch causing our client to defend himself. After approximately one year of litigation, all charges were dropped.

State of Florida v. E.P.
Case No. 07-CF-18955

Our client was charged with armed robbery and armed carjacking, facing life in prison. Our investigative team found in excess of 20 witnesses who would testify that our client was at a party at the time of the robbery and carjacking. Additionally, after deposition of the key state witness, we were able to find many flaws in that testimony. One week prior to jury trial, prosecutors dismissed all charges.

State of Florida v. P.R.
Case No. 07-CF-16906

Our client was charged with more than eight separate offenses of Trafficking in Oxycodone. Penalties included a 25 year minimum mandatory prison sentence. After convincing the prosecution that our client was in fact that user of drugs and not a seller of drugs, we had him evaluated by a psychologist and a residential drug treatment program. We were able to convince the prosecution to reduce all of the trafficking charges to obtaining a prescription by fraud and our client was given probation with a residential drug treatment program.

State of Florida v. AT.
Case No. 02-CF-8773

Our client was a star high school basketball player. During an altercation at a Steak & Shake, our client allegedly punched the victim one time, killing him. He was charged with Manslaughter, punishable by 15 years in Florida State Prison. At jury trial, we presented a forensic pathologist and successfully cross examined prosecutor's medical examiner creating doubt in the jury to the extent that the jury could not reach a verdict. (See news article)

State of Florida v. R.A.
Case No. 06-CF-10169

Our client was alleged to be a member of the Latin Kings gang and charged with Racketeering and Conspiracy to Racketeer. He was facing 30 years in Florida State Prison. After over a year and a half of litigation and investigation, the defense team filed a Motion to Dismiss the racketeering based on lack of probable cause and police misconduct. After a lengthy motion hearing, the court dismissed all charges against our client.

State of Florida v. D.G.
Case No. 90-CF-10859

Our client was charged with DUT Manslaughter. At jury trial, we presented a nationally renowned expert in kinetics and accident reconstructionist and successfully convinced the jury that our client was not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident in that all parties had been ejected from the car and no witness had seen our client driving. This resulted in a not guilty verdict.

State of Florida v. J.L.
Case No. 99-CF-7078

Our client was charged with Trafficking in Cocaine. At jury trial, we were able to successfully argue to the jury that the confidential informant used by the prosecution had not been truthful and there was insufficient evidence to determine that our client actually possessed the drugs. This resulted in a not guilty verdict.

State of Florida v. K.B.
Case No. 94-CF-5240

Our client was charged with Attempted First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer by attempting to drag him and run him over. At jury trial, we were able to successfully argue to the jury that our client was only reacting to police conduct and had no intent to murder the officer. The result was a not guilty verdict

State of Florida v. J.W.
Case No. 98-CF-11873

Our client was charged with First Degree Murder in a nationally publicized case where he allegedly assisted a friend and his girlfriend in murdering the girl's mother by injecting her with bleach, stabbing her and concealing her body in wooded area. After investigation and discovery, we were able to convince prosecutors to allow our client to plead to second degree murder and thereby avoiding life in prison and a possible death sentence. Our client is currently serving a 25 year sentence.

State of Florida v. W.R.
Case No. 95-CF-4837

Our client was charged with First Degree Murder and prosecutors sought the death penalty. Our client was alleged to have committed a murder for hire after receiving money from a disgruntled family member. Our firm handled the representation of the death penalty phase of the case. After conviction, we were able to convince the jury that the death penalty was not warranted, thereby allowing our client to live and serve a life sentence.

State of Florida v. K.T.
Case No. 92-CF-57l4

Our client was charged with the gang rape of a prominent Culbreath Isles housewife. This was the first case in Hillsborough County history where four juries were impaneled to hear a case at the same time.

State of Florida v. RB.
Case No. 92-CF-875

Our client was known as '1he Hyde Park Rapist" alleged to having committed multiple rapes in the Hyde Park residential district We represented him in the first ever challenge to the admission of DNA evidence in a criminal trial. After a suppression hearing that lasted several days with DNA experts from all of the country, the court found that the DNA was in fact admissible. Upon appeal, the Second District Court of Appeal determined that we were correct in establishing that the DNA procedures used in the State of Florida were not up to the standard required by the scientific community at the time. Although our client's conviction was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court, our argument in the Motion to Suppress actually established the law on admissibility in DNA cases.