Criminal Defense Resolution

A defendant was apprehended after surveillance caught her shipping a box of methamphetamine and fentanyl at a USPS location. A subsequent search of her apartment uncovered additional quantities of both drugs, along with paraphernalia associated with drug sales and a firearm. Following her arrest, and after being read her Miranda rights, she confessed to her involvement in the illicit activities. She faced five felony charges, none of which were eligible for reduction to misdemeanors.

Despite the severity of the charges and the initial evidence, the defense, DRE, A.P.C., successfully negotiated a significant reduction in the case. The defendant was one of three involved, and evidence suggested her role was minor compared to the two co-defendants who received jail time for their felonies. Furthermore, the defendant had no prior criminal history, was six months pregnant, and had three young children, all factors presented in mitigation.

Ultimately, DRE, A.P.C. convinced the District Attorney to dismiss all five felony charges in favor of adding a new misdemeanor charge: knowing and unlawful furnishing of a dangerous drug. The defendant pleaded guilty to this single misdemeanor and received a one-year informal probation with a 360-day suspended sentence, meaning she would only serve jail time if she violated her probation. The only conditions of her probation are to obey all laws, pay restitution, and provide a DNA sample.