
OUR CLIENTS BECOME OUR CAUSES
SERVING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT JOHNSON COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS
We invite you to browse some of our recent case results to learn more about our past successes and how we have helped people in situations similar to yours.
NOT GUILTY
JURY TRIAL
"You're a ghost, a shadow ... nobody's going to believe you."
The jury found my client not guilty on seven counts, including Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Attempted Rape, and Kidnapping. The defense presented evidence of no struggle or injuries corroborating the āvictimāsā story. The "victim," would taunt my client, telling him "You're a ghost, a shadow ... nobody's going to believe you."
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HEāS OUTGROWN HIS CLOTHES
JURY TRIAL
SENTENCING
SENTENCING
Elicited powerful mitigation testimony highlighting clientās youth. This defeated an upward departure motion in felony murder trial. This simony occurred during the upward-departure phase of the jury trial of teens who tried to rob the gun store āSheās a Pistol.ā Under the upward departure, client faced 46 years to life, but I was able to reduce his āhard timeā by 10 years.
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NOT GUILTY
JURY TRIAL
āOne of the best closing arguments I have ever heardā
Not guilty of felony aggravated battery, client faced a 5-year prison sentence. Client was accused of punching āvictimā causing substantial facial injury, and a broken ankle upon collapsing. Case theory: client never hit āvictimā and injuries were caused when she drunkenly fell. Trial included cross examining emergency room doctor, who was also allowed to testify as a āmartial arts expert.ā Defense retained a plastic surgeon expert witness. After trial, the Judge told me that I gave āone of the best closing arguments she has ever heard.ā
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NOT GUILTY
JURY TRIAL
"Think outside the box"
Not guilty of criminal threat. Client was incarcerated in solitary confinement, where he allegedly threatened a correctional officer. During jury trial the State was able to come up with little evidence to support their allegations. During the Defense's case, jurors heard from two witnesses who showed that no threats were made. Opening statement, involved recreating a solitary confinement cell with limited props, verbal imagery and storytelling.
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NOT GUILTY
JURY TRIAL
āTo sell? Or not to sell?ā
Not guilty of possession with intent to distribute. Facts: after a brief car chase, client was charged with drug distribution. Police found 9 baggies of drugs around the corner from the stop/arrest. Through cross examination I was able to highlight the sloppy evidence preservation by officers, which ended up being a crucial factor in the juryās decision.
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āCALL THE SWAT TEAM, UNDERAGE DRINKING!ā
Successfully suppressed evidence in two separate cases with similar facts. Essentially, police responded to underage parties where they detained all party guests, forcing them to submit to breath tests before being allowed to leave.
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"THE LAND OF THE FREE?"
Successfully suppressed search of client. Here, officers responded to a ādisturbanceā in an apartmentās parking lot. Upon arrival, they saw no signs of current or prior illegal activity. Nonetheless, officers approached my client, who was helping a friend move in, and demanded ID. A subsequent illegal search revealed drugs. Judge suppressed all evidence.
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āNOT IN MY HOUSEā
Successfully suppressed search of defendantās home, where the officers and prosecutor tried to use the emergency exception to the warrant requirement.
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āCOWBOY COPSā
Successfully suppressed clientās consent to search and statements. Client was present at someone elseās house when a search warrant was executed. Police illegally detained, questioned and obtained consent to search her car. Court suppressed all evidence.
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āSTILL FELONY FREEā
During a felony DUI hearing, the State attempted to introduce a breath test result of .152. However, while the State was laying foundation, I asked to inspect the Officers certification, it turned out that the Officer was not certified to operate the Intoxilyzer 8000 at the time of the arrest. Felony charges dismissed.
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āYOU CANāT TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKSā
Only one year out of law school, Mr. Rivera represented a client who had 4 codefendants, all codefendants had council with 10+ years of experience. All codefendants plead to criminal charges. Noting the lack of evidence I encouraged my client to take the matter to a hearing, where judge dismissed charges.
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