Misdemeanor DUI case results:

We have quite a few DUI cases and will try to update these results as soon as we can. Here are the results we have compiled so far.

May 2009

Client charged with DUI, fail to drive within marked travel lanes, damage to a motor vehicle, no front license plate, and disregard a traffic control device.  Client had a .23 BAC.  The DUI will be amended to reckless driving if Client does the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine, and stays out of trouble for one year.  All other charges were dismissed as part of the negotiation.

Client charged with one count of DUI.  Blood tests showed the presence of 3 different drugs.  DUI will be amended to illegal backing (a 2 point traffic violation) if Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine and stays out of trouble while the case is pending.

Client charged with DUI, disregard a red light, no proof of insurance, and failure to change address on operator’s license.  Client had .307 BAC.  If Client attends the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine, and stays out of trouble for one year, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving.  All other charges were dismissed as part of the negotiation.

Client charged with DUI, operation of a motor vehicle without security, and driving without operator’s license in possession.  Client had a .19 BAC.  If Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $580 fine and stays out of trouble while the case is pending, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving.  All other counts were dismissed per the negotiation.

Client charged with DUI.  Blood tests showed that Client had 3 different drugs in his system.  If Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $580 fine and stays out of trouble while the case is pending, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving.  All other counts were dismissed per the negotiation.

Client charged with DUI.  Blood tests showed that Client had a .09 BAC.  Trial started.  After Craig spoke with the prosecutor, they agreed that if Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine and stays out of trouble for one year, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving.  All other counts were dismissed per the negotiation.

Client charged with DUI and speeding. Breath testing showed a .150 and .154 alcohol level.  Client found not guilty at trial. 

Client charged with DUI and fail to drive within marked travel lane.  Client had a .09 BAC.  Charge amended to careless driving.  Client was ordered to complete the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine.  The charge of fail to drive within marked travel lane was dismissed as part of the negotiation.

Client charged with DUI.  Blood tests showed that Client had a .15 BAC.  If Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine and stays out of trouble, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving. 

Client charged with DUI.  Blood tests showed .178 BAC.  Case dismissed.

Client charged with DUI.  Blood tests showed that Client had a .292 BAC.  If Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine, stays out of trouble and performs and follows the recommendations of an alcohol evaluation, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving. 

Client charged with DUI.  Breath tests showed alcohol levels of .086 and .083.  If Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $577 fine, and stays out of trouble for one years, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving. 

Client charged with DUI.  Breath tests showed alcohol levels of .097 and .091.  If Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $580 fine and stays out of trouble, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving. 

Client charged with DUI.  Blood tests showed .168 BAC.  Case dismissed. 

Client charged with DUI.  Blood tests showed a .206 BAC.  If Client completes the DUI school, Victim Impact Panel, pays a $580 fine, performs 96 hours of community service, attends traffic school,  and stays out of trouble, the charge will be amended to a reckless driving. 

June 2009

Client was charged with second offense DUI with .281 BAC. Charge amended to reckless driving if Client pays fine, attends DUI school, and completes Victim Impact Panel, and stays out of trouble.

Client was charged in federal court with DUI and unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.  He had a BAC of .201.  Trial began, after discussion between Craig and prosecutor, the DUI was dismissed, and the client plead guilty to one count of unsafe operation of a vehicle (traffic ticket).

Other Case Results

State v. Meraz
Defendant was charged with first degree murder.  His first jury trial ended in a mistrial when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.  He was convicted at his second trial; however, his conviction was recently overturned by the Nevada Supreme Court on appeal.

State v. JP
Client was facing a felony conviction for DWI accident with fatality/bodily harm and a non-probationable prison sentence of
2 to 20 years.

Client was alleged to have been intoxicated and driving too fast for conditions when he rear-ended a car stopped at a red light (car number 2). Car number 2 then struck the car in front of it. The driver of car number 2 claimed serious injuries from the accident including a ruptured spleen that doctors believed was caused by her steering column breaking loose and puncturing her. To show that her injuries were “substantial,” the State provided hospital and medical bills in excess of $250,000.00.
Police thought Client’s behavior was consistent with someone who was impaired by drugs and/or alcohol. Client admitted taking prescription medication and subsequent blood tests confirmed this.

Verdict at trial- guilty of misdemeanor DUI. Client was sentenced to attend an 8 hour class, ordered to attend a victim-impact panel and ordered to pay a $580.00 fine.

State v. JM
Client was charged with one count driving under the influence
of intoxicating liquor resulting in the death of his wife, reckless driving, and involuntary manslaughter.

Client was facing a minimum of 2 years to 20 years in prison with no opportunity for probation.

Client was alleged to be under the influence of alcohol when his car struck a pile of construction debris. His wife, who was the passenger, was killed on impact. At trial, we challenged the validity of the method of blood test  and successfully convinced the jury that it lab results were inaccurate. Further, investigation revealed that the debris was improperly placed and unlit.

These facts convinced the jury to find him not guilty on all counts. Further, we assisted our client in successfully pursuing a lawsuit against the construction company which resulted in monetary damages.

State v. JV
Conspiracy, possession/receipt of stolen goods, burglary, and grand larceny.

Client was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, possession/receipt of stolen goods, burglary, and grand larceny.  Client hired another attorney who recommended Client plead guilty to one gross misdemeanor.  Client thereafter retained us, and we recommended he proceed to trial.

Client found not guilty on all counts at trial.

Pardon's Board                                      
The Pardon’s Board is comprised of all the Justices of the Nevada Supreme Court, the Nevada Attorney General, and the Governor.  They meet at their leisure.

Client TW contacted us seeking any type of relief after serving over 18 years in prison for first degree murder with use of a deadly weapon.  After exhaustive research and investigation, we discovered that TW had a defense that was not available at the time of her trial, the Battered Woman’s Syndrome defense.  This finding coupled with our oral argument at the Pardon’s Board hearing convinced the Pardon’s Board to grant TW relief in a unanimous decision.  After 18 years, she was released from prison, and her civil rights were fully restored.

State v. NM
First degree murder with use of a deadly weapon
The State alleged that NM was drunk and shot his best friend when they were hunting together.  He was facing a sentence of life in prison. 

We successfully negotiated the charge to involuntary manslaughter, and NM received a sentence of probation.

State v. GS
Attempt Murder with Use of a Deadly Weapon
It was alleged that GS and his son attacked a truck driver, shot him, and beat him with a crow bar.  At trial, we convinced the jury that they acted in self-defense. 

The jury found them not guilty on all counts, and we obtained a financial settlement from the trucking company for negligently hiring the driver.

State v. PA
Lewdness with a Minor Under 14
The State alleged that PA molested his step-granddaughter. 

At trial, we were able to show that the allegations were fabricated, and he was found not guilty.

State v. JO
6 counts of drawing and uttering an instrument with intent to defraud (bad checks.)

D was the guest at a large Las Vegas hotel/casino.  It was alleged that he voluntarily took out $600,000 in markers, lost the money gambling, and refused to repay the casino.  We were able to convince the judge that his credit limit was $100,000, the casino gave him drinks until he was intoxicated, and while he was intoxicated, the casino gave him an additional $900,000 in credit, totaling $1,000,000 in credit. 

The judge dismissed all 6 charges at the preliminary hearing.

State v. D
High level trafficking
D was facing life in prison if convicted of high level drug trafficking.  Undercover officers were watching D’s home based on suspicion of drug dealing.  Someone drove to the house to pick D up, D got into the car, and the officers then pulled over the car.  During a search, the officers found drugs in the dash board of the car.  D was the front seat passenger. 
At trial, we established that D’s proximity to the drugs did not mean that he had knowledge that the drugs were in the car. 

He was found not guilty.