Recent Cases

February 26, 2026
Driving under the Influence or .08 BAC
Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
A pleasant, married professional and mom was charged with operating under the influence and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. She properly submitted her citation for a magistrate hearing which, when submitted timely, the court is obligated to provide. In this case, the police allege that she arrived to a two-car accident scene around midnight. When police arrived, client’s vehicle was heavily damaged on the opposite side of the street. Client reportedly had an odor of alcohol and admitted to drinking four drinks and coming from a bar. She had what they described as slow, slurred and thick tongued speech, red glassy eyes, and appeared dazed and confused. There was other evidence of possible intoxication, but the charges ultimately did not issue, and she maintains no criminal history.
RESULT: OUI/DWI Do NOT Issue at Clerk’s Hearing

February 25, 2026
Trespassing
Client was a married mother with no record who was believed to be involved in questionable behavior at a message therapy location. The police launched a human trafficking investigation and aggressively raided the location where she was. Police eventually arrested her for trespassing when she returned to the location. Normally, a charge like this could be resolved with a court date or two, but this case took nearly six court dates after a request for a trial. The Commonwealth’s discovery was voluminous. Every statement that was made or could be made had to be screened as the overarching goal was to protect against the seriousness of these allegations. In the end, the Commonwealth chose to dismiss the charge thanks to Attorney Barabino’s advocacy.
RESULT: No Human Trafficking Charge, Dismissed Trespassing.

February 17, 2026
209A Restraining Order Hearing
Client was a pleasant and hardworking man. He was also a supportive friend, however that friend was not supportive of him and was angry, retaliatory, and vengeful. While client was home, he was visited by police and received a notice of a harassment order against him. The order required him to stay away and not contact the friend until a full two-party hearing could occur. This two-party hearing permits the accused to present a defense with testimony, documents, and anything else that may be helpful for the judge. The judge then determines if the case will formally enter. These are always stressful for all the parties. In this case, Attorney Barabino and client reviewed videos, messages, and a lengthy affidavit. At the day of the hearing, Attorney Barabino cross-examined the friend to the which the court concluded at the end that no further testimony would be required and that the order would not continue.
RESULT: Successful Restraining Order Defense. Not Extended.

February 4, 2026
Conspiracy
Larceny Over $1,2000.00 By A Single Scheme
A wonderful husband and wife were summoned to court for felony charges of theft. Both were professionals with no criminal record or history. Attorney Barabino was successfully able to identify a statute that ensured the charge would not go forward in their circumstances. Attorney Barabino provided evidence and completion of any online program and mental health consultation. Clients also agreed to pay the $5,000 claimed in losses. Attorney Barabino’s submission included a detailed background memorandum and photographs. The case was ultimately dismissed, prior to the formal arraignment.
RESULT: Case Dismissed Prior to Arraignment. No Criminal Record.

January 27, 2026
Strangulation
Witness Intimidation
Witness Intimidation
Assault and Battery on a Family or Household Member
Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
Client was a single male. Over a three-day period, he was aggressive and repeatedly physically violent against complainant who client had been in a dating relationship with. The allegation included at one point lifting her off her feet and destroying her phone. A portion of this violence was caught on admissible video. The sister of the complainant ultimately went to the police with accuser. After the complainant went to a medical professional and obtained EMS services, she obtained a restraining order against client. Complainant’s family was angry, scared, and concerned. Client did not want to go to trial and instead wanted to plead guilty to all charges. Attorney Barabino was able to obtain a trial date for the case and ultimately secure dismissal of two felonies charged, one of which was strangulation.
RESULT: TWO felonies Dismissed.

January 20, 2026
Violation of Harassment Prevention Order
Client was an out-of-state singer in an established band with a strong following. A restraining order had issued against her after much back-and-forth between her and the friend who sought it. The restraining order had been open for nearly 5 years when client was accused of violating it. The case was scheduled for a clerk magistrate’s hearing to determine if there was probable cause for violation of the order. Attorney Barabino submitted a highly detailed memo arguing why there was no probable cause. The clerk magistrate agreed and agreed not to issue the charge even though the opposing part really wanted the case to go forward.
RESULT: Harassment Order Violation Does NOT Issue. No Criminal Record.

January 14^th 2026
Assault and Battery
Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
A classy hardworking client had been arrested and charged with Assault and Battery & Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon. The assault and battery are a misdemeanor charge and the Assault with a Dangerous Weapon a felony. The police alleges that father and son were wrestling and the wrestling when father became aggressive resulting in underage son injuring the left side of his face. Mother was distressed about the incident and applied for and received a restraining order. The court at client’s arraignment received a no-contact order against father so he could not go home or contact his family. Attorney Barabino sought to reconcile the family without delay and eventually was able to have a motion allowed to remove the no-contact order. At that hearing, the District Attorney was able to interview mother who explained it was an accident and in the end the District Attorney agreed to place it on for a trial viability date. Today, at that date, a brief interview with all the parties resulted in a withdrawal of all the charges. The case is now dismissed and will have no challenges to include immigration and naturalized which was a concern due to his immigration status.
RESULT: No Immigrations Consequences for Felony and Misdemeanor Charge.

December 22, 2025
OUI 1^st Offense
Resisting Arrest
Refuse to Produce License
A peaceful and hardworking (then) young man found in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle at a Home Depot Parking lot. Police arrived at the location and shined their flashlights in the vehicle which startled client. When client was startled he got out of the vehicle which the officer described as charging toward the officer. Client did not speak English at the time and was intoxicated. Police did arrest client at the scene and charged him with operating under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest and finally refusing to show his driver’s license. Client went to court, but soon after defaulted and a warrant for his arrest was open for over 20 years. Now, he removed the warrant and we prepared for trial. Fortunately, the case was so old and the officers that arrested them had retired. The case was set for trial and at trial the Commonwealth could not prove their case with no arresting officer and the case was dismissed.
RESULT: OUI, Resisting Arrest and False ID all Dismissed at Trial.