Recent Cases

April 13, 2026
Assault and Battery
Clerk Magistrate Hearing
A super pleasant, relaxed person was simply out with his dog. While sitting on the phone watching his dog he got into an unexpected argument with another attendee to the park. The incident escalated and eventually the other party called the police. Police came and spoke to both client and the other party who called the police. The police determined that my client was at fault to a degree and determined that the person who called the police should be charged with a criminal offense. The formal term for this is cross complaints. This is a very advantageous position since often, if all the parties agree, including the police and the magistrate that matter does not have to get issued, they will agree to simply dismiss it. However, the court is under no obligation to do so. Fortunately, prior to the hearing, the other party and client were able to make the more proper introduction and move forward in agreement that this was an uneventful station, and lessons were learned and it won’t be repeated. The magistrate kindly adopted a mutual dismissal which was in the best interest for all. Justice served for all
RESULT: Cross Complaint Serves Justice for All.

April 10, 2026
Assault and Battery over 60/Disabled with Injury
A young aspiring adult who recently graduated clinician was charged with Assault and Battery over 60/Disabled with Injury. The charge is particularly serious as it is a felony that is looked on with great concern from the perspective of the government. For our client, the consequences of a guilty verdict or even any admission to this charge would have lifelong consequences which had to be avoided. According to police, they received an emergency call and arrived at home where a mother and daughter had had a physical altercation. The police interviewed both parties and collected sufficient evidence for client to be charged with the felony charge. As the case proceeded, Attorney Barabino worked with client to be in the best place possible for negotiation and mitigation. Part of that process was connecting with mother who over a period of weeks and months where she eventually became her daughter’s biggest advocate. Eventually, the District Attorney agreed to a trial viability date where all the parties would formally be summoned into court, and a determination will occur if the case will be tried. At that date, mother declined to participate leaving the commonwealth comfortable in the decision dismiss the matter.
RESULT: Possible Career Ending Felony Charge is Dismissed.

April 8, 2026
Leaving the Scene of Property Damage
A responsible, decent and young father to be charged with Leaving the Scene of Property Damage. According to police, client was seen on video striking another vehicle and leaving after inspecting the damage. Client explained he did not notice the strike and had already called his insurance company believing it was a hit and run. When you received the citation, he was upset, scared and nervous—which was understandable given that he is a young father with no previous criminal charges. We immediately had him file the citation in court within 4 days which entitles the client to a magistrate hearing. We spent several meetings preparing for the eventual magistrate hearing preparing which include getting evidence of the repair that had since been paid. The prosecuting officer and clerk magistrate agreed at the hearing not to pursue the matter, resulting in nothing appearing on clients CORI record.
RESULT: Criminal Complaint, Does Not Issue Against Young Father to be.

March 25, 2026
Assault and Battery (Household) Member
A hardworking Union specialist was charged with Domestic Assault and Battery. It is noteworthy that he recently completed probation for the same charge with a different female. In this case, client met a woman and she moved in a relatively short period. The relationship between client and his girlfriend was fraught with constant fighting which at times became physical. Girlfriend went to police and explained that client had been repeatedly physical with her and on that day grabbed her violently by the face, pushed her up against bathroom wall and threw her to the floor. Client admitted to police physical contact. More concerning was girlfriend detailed several prior incidents of violence and brought pictures detailing injury. Although client was not charged with prior acts of violence, they would be admissible in his trial under what is called a prior and subsequent bad act. When a prior acts of uncharged violence is brought it makes the case even more challenging since a judge or jury would likely be heavily influenced or even repelled from the cumulative repetitive nature of criminal offenses. In the end, a reasonable plea offer was made with no jail. Attorney Barabino argued for a disposition that permitted the client to have the case dismissed if completed probation which judge allowed. The girlfriend was also very decent and considerate to the matter which aided in a successful resolution of the case.
RESULT: Disparate Plea for Defense.

March 18, 2026
Felony Malicious Damage to Motor Vehicle
A married computer programmer was charged with Felony malicious damage to a motor vehicle. This is a challenging charge since it is a felony and requires a conviction or acquittal. There is no alternative disposition to avoid a conviction. In this case, the police reported to that client was parked when another car was slowly backing up and getting close to his car. Client, got out of his car and yelled at the other driver and knocked on her window with enough force to shatter it. The events were witnessed by a third party and to a large degree the events undisputed. Without delay Attorney Barabino got client into therapy and in negotiation with the District Attorney pleased to get them to agree to Pre-Trial Probation, with an agreement to continue therapy, anger management with no admission of criminal behavior or wrongdoing.
RESULT: Presumption of Innocence, No Conviction, Admission or Probation.

March 16, 2026
Bomb/Hijack Threat with Serious Alarm
Bomb/Hijack Threat with Serious Alarm
A young teenager came to the attention of police via school authorities. According to a lengthy police investigation, a concerned mother came to the school after discovering text messages in her son’s phone. The messages suggested a grave concern about violence against income disparity, and various mentions against public figures. In essence, the statement was parroting much of the proclamations heard daily on cable television. However, the police were called, and they had good faith legitimate concerns. They interviewed the mother and client, and the police also searched the individual and the home. In the end, they were confident that they could make the case for two counts of Bomb Threat with Serious Alarm. The police also executed search warrants after and notified the FBI and other parties. They discovered Bomb making material, A Hoax Device and a purportedly a partial firearm made from the 3-D printer. In this case there were two separate complaints, Attorney Barabino represented on the bomb threats and drafted a thirteen-page motion to dismiss, pre-arraignment. That motion was heard today and allowed, which means the charge will never appear on his criminal record or history.
RESULT: Bomb Threat Dismissed Before Arraignment, Motion Allowed.

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.