When it matters the most, we get results.
Disclaimer: While we understand how important past results are when deciding who to hire for your case, please understand the following before reading further:
The facts and circumstances of your case may differ from those described in these case results.
Not all case results are listed or provided.
The case results discussed do not necessarily represent the results obtained in all cases.
Each case is unique and must be evaluated and handled based on its own merits.
Many clients want to know what experience our lawyers actually have. Although it would be impossible to list the results of the thousands of cases our attorneys have handled over the years, below is a list of some of our actual results. Client’s names have been changed to initials for privacy reasons.
Capital Sexual Battery, Life Felony, punishable by life in prison; Lewd Molestation on a Child under 12 years old
State of Florida v. B.S. 24CF000584
B.S. was accused of molesting and committing a sexual battery against his stepson. The allegations were from many years before. The defense argued that the alleged victim was confused and making these allegations up.
Found not guilty on both charges by a jury
Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison with a 20 year minimum mandatory
State of Florida v. B.M. 24CF003428
B.M. was falsely accused of shooting into a car. Police arrested him after doing a haphazard investigation where they used suggestive means to get the alleged victim to identify B.M. as the person who did this, despite him having an alibi and insisting he did not do this. Due to the Defense’s thorough investigation, evidence was found to corroborate B.M.’s alibi, as well as identify the person who was actually involved.
Case dismissed
Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl, Life Felony, punishable by up to life in prison; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
State of Florida v. C.D. 24CF001954
Officers responded to a narcotics violation call at a motel. Upon arrival, officers found five individuals, including C.D., who fled into the room. Another resident consented to a search of the room, revealing a baggie with blue and yellow pills and a loaded Glock 27. The pills were identified as fentanyl, oxycodone, and Xanax. C.D. was charged with multiple offenses, including armed trafficking of fentanyl and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A motion to suppress was filed, arguing that law enforcement had no legal reason to detain the Defendant after an anonymous tip without any further corroboration.
Motion to Suppress illegally seized evidence filed and case dismissed by Prosecuting Authority citing "unethical to proceed."
Felony Battery, 3rd degree felony, facing up to 5 years in prison
State of Florida v. T.A. 24CF002616
The client, T.A., was involved in a physical altercation with the alleged victim, a co-worker, at a restaurant. The altercation began as a verbal argument and escalated when T.A punched the co-worker in the mouth, knocking out one of his teeth. Surveillance footage confirmed the altercation. T.A., who has a prior conviction for battery, was arrested for felony battery. The defense argued that it was essentially mutual combat and that the alleged victim consented to the punch after he was warned.
Found not guilty at jury trial
Burglary with an Assault or Battery, 1st Degree Felony, punishable by up to life in prison; Aggravated Assault, Grand Theft, and Misuse of 911 System
State of Florida v. K.W. 23CF005489
A road rage incident occurred where K.W. followed the alleged victim (AV) to the drive-thru of a Chick-Fil-A. K.W. exited her vehicle, struck the AV's car with a pink umbrella and allegedly hit the AV in the face. The AV then pinned K.W. to the ground by her hair and punched her, while the altercation was recorded by the AV's husband. K.W. later retrieved a stun gun and allegedly threatened the AV. At a hearing, the AV claimed self-defense. The defense convinced the State Attorney assigned to the case that the AV was not telling the truth and that K.W. was actually the one acting in self defense.
All charges dismissed before trial by the State following the deposition of the AV's husband
Sexual Battery, 2nd Degree Felony, punishable by up to 15 years in Prison
State of Florida v. J.A. 22CF006322
J.A. was accused of forcing his ex wife to have sex with him while they were separated. There were texts where he seemingly admitted to it by saying things like “I’m a rapist, I deserve to die.” The alleged victim in the case could not remember if she was naked when he came over and many other details about the night. J.A. said that they had consensual sex and that his texts were sarcastic and him being dramatic and that he never was actually admitting to raping her.
Found not guilty by a jury
Providing False Information During the Attempted Purchase of a Firearm, 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison
State of Florida v. L.H. 24CF005114
L.H. was attempting to do a background check at Rural King and filled out a form and marked that he was not a convicted felon. The defense realized that this charge had been previously found to be unconstitutional as a matter of law and filed a motion to dismiss all charges.
Case dismissed by the State at hearing
Grand Theft Motor Vehicle, 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison
State of Florida v. E.S. 22CF006691
E.S. was accused of taking his stepdad’s motorcycle two years before being arrested and never returning it. There were text messages where E.S. tried to arrange a time and place to give it back in 2022 but the alleged victim told him to leave it where it was and that he didn’t have permission to ride it anymore. The bike was never recovered. We went to trial and the defense argued that it was not theft and the jury ageeed.
Found not guilty by a jury
Failure of Sex Offender to Properly Register, 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison
State of Florida v. C.G. 22CF001592
C.G. was a sex offender who was required to comply with the sex offender registration requirements. C.G. was accused of buying an address. Essentially paying rent at one place that was in compliance with registration requirements but not actually living there. The defense argued that the State could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that C.G. was not living where he registered.
Found not guilty by a jury
Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, 2nd Degree Felony, facing up to 15 years prison; Resisting an Officer Without Violence
State of Florida v. L.J. 23CF003196
The client, L.J., was involved in a domestic violence investigation. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, L.J. fled the scene and was later found hiding in a trashcan in a locked backyard. The homeowner, did not give L.J. permission to enter his property, so the Polk County Sherriff's Office charged L.J. with resisting an officer without violence and burglary of an occupied dwelling. Facing fifteen years in prison, L.J. chose trial by jury. The defense argued that this was not actually a burglary because there was no intent to commit a crime while hiding in the trashcan.
Found not guilty of the felony charge and sentenced to time served on the misdemeanor.
Sexual Battery, 2nd Degree Felony, punishable by up to 15 years in Prison; Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information, Grand Theft
State of Florida v. J.A. 21CF003194
J.A. was accused of forcing his ex wife to have sex with him while they were separated. There were texts where he seemingly admitted to it by saying things like “I’m a rapist, I deserve to die.” The alleged victim in the case could not remember if she was naked when he came over and many other details about the night. J.A. said that they had consensual sex and that his texts were sarcastic and him being dramatic and that he never was actually admitting to raping her.
Found not guilty of Sexual Battery by a jury
Possession of Methamphetamine, 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Driving on a Suspended License
State of Florida v. J.K. 24CF005283
J.K was charged with these offenses after law enforcement got a tip that he was selling drugs. When they searched his vehicle, they claimed that they found methamphetamine. The State was offering a significant amount of incarceration as an offer due to his prior record. The defense demanded speedy trial, forcing the State to take the case to trial within 45 days. When they got the lab results back from FDLE, there was not actually a controlled substance at all.
Possession of Methamphetamine and Paraphernalia were dismissed by the State and client plead to time served on the DWLSR
Grand Theft, 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison
State of Florida v. A.P. 19CF005283
A.P. was alleged to have committed a crime back in 2019. Law enforcement made no effort to arrest her on these charges. Once she was arrested in 2023, Defense filed a Motion to Dismiss for a Violation of her 6th Amendment Right to Constitutional Speedy Trial.
Motion to Dismiss Granted, case dismissed
Fleeing to Elude, 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison; Felony Battery; Grand Theft; Driving on a Suspended License
State of Florida v. F.R. 16CF009980, 16CF007710, 18CF009850
F.R. was originally charged with three different cases in 2016 and 2018. Law enforcement made no effort to arrest him on these charges. Once he was arrested in 2024, Defense filed a Motion to Dismiss for a Violation of his 6th Amendment Right to Constitutional Speedy Trial.
Motion to Dismiss Granted, case dismissed
Attempted 1st Degree Murder, 1st Degree Felony, punishable by life in prison with a 25-life minimum mandatory; Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
State of Florida v. C.D. 21CF005226
C.D. was in a fight with an acquaintance after a game of cards. There was some sort of tussle that ensued and the alleged victim was shot in the arm and the chest. The alleged victim told many different stories that did not add up. Defense was able to show through depositions and motions that the alleged victim was not telling the truth about what happened and that C.D. did act in self defense.
Case dismissed by the State right before trial
Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement, 2nd degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years with a 3 year minimum mandatory; Fleeing or Attempting to Elude; Failure to Fulfill Duty Upon Damaging Property; Driving while License Suspended
State of Florida v. J.P.. 20CF004689
J.P. was alleged to have committed a crime back in 2020. Law enforcement made no effort to arrest him on these charges. Once he was arrested in 2023, Defense filed a Motion to Dismiss for a Violation of his 6th Amendment Right to Constitutional Speedy Trial.
Motion to Dismiss Granted, case dismissed
Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, Driving on a Suspended License
State of Florida v. W.J. 17CF009224
W.J. was accused of driving without a license and then not stopping when law enforcement tried to pull him over. They claimed he was going at an excessively high speed. Defense argued that there was no way that law enforcement could have seen who was actually driving based on what they described and the jury found him not guilty on both counts.
Found Not Guilty by a jury
Burglary of a Structure while Using a Motor Vehicle, 1st Degree Felony, punishable by life in prison; Burglary of a Conveyance; Grand Theft; Fleeing to Elude; Criminal Mischief; Battery on a Police Dog; Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer; Resisting Officer with violence, Driving while License Revoked
State of Florida v. J.C. 18CF003559
The State alleged that J.C. was being pulled over when he fled at a high rate of speed. A K9 unit was dispatched near a report of a matching vehicle crashing through a gate. Law enforcement heard someone running and found J.C. near the car that matched the officer tried to stop earlier. The K9 apprehended J.C. by biting him and he attempted to get the dog off of him. The defense argued that since law enforcement never saw the person driving and they did not gather any other evidence to prove it was J.C. that had been driving the car, the jury should find him not guilty.
Not guilty on the Burglary of a Conveyance, Grand Theft, Fleeing to Elude, Burglary of a Structure Using a Motor Vehicle, Battery on Law Enforcement, Resisting Officer with Violence, and Driving while License Revoked by a jury; Motion for Judgment of Acquittal granted on the Criminal Mischief by the Judge; Guilty of only the misdemeanor charge of Battery on a Police Dog
Driving Under the Influence (DUI), 1st Degree Misdemeanor
State of Florida v. I.A. 19CT009223
I.A. was stopped for his tag being expired. Officers claimed they smelled the odor of alcohol and requested that he perform field sobriety exercises. I.A. believed he did well on the FSEs but the officer arrested him anyway. He then submitted to a breath test where he blew a .031 and also submitted to a urine sample which showed the presence of multiple illegal narcotics. The defense hired an expert witness in toxicology for the trial and ultimately argued that “if they don’t have blood, the case is a dud. Since they only have pee, he’s not guilty.”
Found not guilty by jury
Failure of Sex Offender to Properly Register, 3rd degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison
State of Florida v. C.G. 22CF000889
C.G. was a sex offender who was required to comply with the sex offender registration requirements. One requirement is that sex offenders register two times a year plus any time they have an update to their prior registration. C.G. was alleged to have completed a registration update in October of 2022 but then he missed his annual registration in November of 2022. The defense argued that it was a misunderstanding and he did not intentionally choose not to register, but was confused about his obligations.
Found not guilty by a jury
Lewd Conduct, 1st Degree Felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison
State of Florida v. J.B. 17CF003418
J.B. was a janitor at an elementary school. One day he was sitting with some of the students and a lunch lady thought that he was acting inappropriately by rubbing a girl’s leg. J.B. only spoke Spanish and law enforcement questioned him through a person who did not speak Spanish well. Ultimately, with a different lawyer, J.B. went to trial and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. It was overturned on appeal and Michela represented him on remand. The defense filed a Motion to Suppress his statement due to his Miranda warnings being improperly administered. The Judge granted the motion and the State dismissed the case.
Motion to Suppress Granted, case dismissed
Providing False Information During the Attempted Purchase of a Firearm, 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison
State of Florida v. T.S. 24CF004307
T.S. was told that he could do a background check at Rural King and filled out a form and marked that he was not a convicted felon. The defense realized that this charge had been previously found to be unconstitutional as a matter of law and filed a motion to dismiss all charges.
Motion to Dismiss Granted, case dismissed
Tampering with a Witness, 1st Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison; Robbery; False Imprisonment; Attempted Burglary of a Dwelling; Burglary of a Structure
State of Florida v. C.P. 18CF009378
The State alleged that C.P. was a passenger in a car where he went with a friend to steal items, such as a hose, from outside someone’s house. The homeowner arrived on scene while they were there and rammed his truck into the car to stop them from leaving. C.P. was seen on video putting his hands up in surrender. The driver of the vehicle tried to drive away but the homeowner jumped in the backseat of the car and rode off with them. After a couple of miles, the driver stopped the car and he jumped out and had his wife call the police. Initially C.P. was charged with Kidnapping as well but the state dropped that right before trial. Ultimately the defense argued that C.P. was not responsible for the actions of the other people and did not actively commit any of these crimes, other than a theft.
Not guilty on the False Imprisonment and Tampering with a Witness by a jury; Motion for Judgment of Acquittal granted on the Burglary of a Structure and Attempted Burglary of a Dwelling by the Judge; Guilty of a lesser of Petit Theft instead of Robbery and sentenced to time served