» Misdemeanor

AGREEMENT to REDUCE the FELONY to a MISDEMEANOR

February 15th 2019
Larceny from a Building
Client was a young man who had had sporadic involvement with the law, but no prior convictions. He also was beginning to dabble in illicit drug use. According to police, while employed at a coffeeshop he aided and abetted another individual to steal several hundred dollars from his place of employment. The police used videotape, statements of employees and the defendant statements as well. On the day of trial, a discussion took place and an agreement that would REDUCE the charge for a FELONY to a MISDEMEANOR and place the defendant on probation for a year. Also, the charge would be a continued without a finding which mean it can be dismissed if client complies with probation agreement. The probation agreement was tailored so he will be drug-screened for a period of 12 months-but if he is clean for the first three months he does not have to engage in further screens. Lastly, he is required to pay the out of pocket money stolen from the donut shop.
RESULT: AGREEMENT to REDUCE the FELONY to a MISDEMEANOR and a DISMISSAL will follow, if completes the term of one-year probation.

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, CHARGE REDUCED FROM FELONY, LIMITED PROBATION CONDITIONS.

May 31st 2018
Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
Client, hard working union member, had an unexpected argument and exchange with a woman who he had never met prior. The argument escalated and words were exchanged. She then made an accusation that he burnt her leg with his lit cigarette which client admitted was flicked in her direction. She went to the police and showed them where she said a burn mark existed that she said resulted. Despite a great difference of opinion of accuser's account, including accusation of cigarette burn, client opted for a more safer result with plea deal. This plea deal included no anger management or drug screens and an agreed upon reduction from the felony change of "dangerous weapon" to the misdemeanor charge of assault and battery.
RESULT: CHARGE REDUCED FROM FELONY, LIMITED PROBATION CONDITIONS.

Larceny over $250, ADMISSION TO CHARGE WITH CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT FOR DISMISSAL

October 16th 2017
Larceny over $250.00
Client was a young man who stole over five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars worth of electronic goods from a chain store in the course of his employment there. The case against client was strong as the store had investigated the case for months and assembled a trove of electronic evidence. In addition, they secured an admission to the crime from client prior to him being formally charged. Negotiations continued for several months and parties involved reached an agreement: client would admit to the charge, he doesn’t pay any probation fees, agrees to take a half program to learn about theft, and pays back the money of the items that he stole. In the end, no conviction would appear on his record as long as he complies with the agreement.
RESULT: ADMISSION TO CHARGE WITH CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT FOR DISMISSAL

Malicious Destruction of Property, Breaking and Entering Nighttime, Larceny in Building, CASE DISMISSED

March 27th 2015
Malicious Destruction of Property
Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime for Felony
Larceny in Building
Client was a young, hard working juvenile who was polite, respectful, and an excellent student. According to police, he went into school late at night without permission and acted irresponsibility. This was an unacceptable act and inconsistent with his good tempered disposition and attitude. He was charged with felony offenses and the Commonwealth had a fairly strong case. Admitting to any of these types of offenses was unacceptable. Nevertheless, after several months of investigation and negotiation, Attorney Barabino today persuaded the prosecutor and the judge to place client on pre-trial probation for two months. As long as client refrains from committing any further offenses and pays back the money to the school for the damage, this case will be dismissed. No admission to any criminal act, misdemeanor, or felony.
RESULT: Sentencing Memorandum FILED, CASE DISMISSED.

Breaking and Entering, MOTION TO SUPPRESS FILED, CONDITIONAL DISMISSAL

September 5th 2013
Breaking and Entering Building Nighttime for Felony Chapter 266 Section 16
Breaking and Entering Building Nighttime for Felony Chapter 266 Section 16
Client was a high school student with supportive and loving parents. Client and another young man snuck out and entered some vehicles in the nighttime. The evidence was clear—they were seen on videotape and the police found them at the car. Eventually, Attorney Barabino presented the court with a motion to suppress statements made by the Defendant. Negotiations were triggered and offers made. The District Attorney agreed to reduce from felony to misdemeanors—and agreed to a probation term that allowed for a case to be dismissed at the end of the probation. We could do better—we had to do better. After nearly seven months of litigating the case---we respectfully declined this otherwise well-intentioned and reasonable offer. The reason we declined is two-fold. One, if he violates probation during the next year he could be found guilty. He could receive a “CWOF” or continued without a finding, which can be considered for many jobs as the equivalent of a guilty verdict since unlawful conduct is admitted. In the end, an already reasonable District Attorney agreed to pre-trial probation with conditions so this young man could truthfully admit he had never admitted to any criminal activity.
RESULT: Motion to SUPPRESS, FILED. CASE DISMISSED, with conditions of remaining in therapy and completing 50 hours of community service.