This past week, we completed a jury trial in Suffolk County where our client was accused of multiple criminal charges stemming from an encounter with law enforcement inside a police precinct. After a multi-day trial and hours of deliberation, the jury returned a resounding verdict: Not Guilty on all criminal charges.
🔍 The Allegations
Our client had entered a police precinct lobby late at night, concerned about two friends who had just been arrested nearby. What happened next escalated quickly — within seconds, he was physically grabbed and taken to the ground by multiple officers. Prosecutors charged him with Obstruction of Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly Conduct.
The People alleged that he had interfered with police business, resisted a lawful arrest, and caused a public disturbance. But video evidence told a different story — and the jury agreed.
🎥 The Evidence
Surveillance footage from inside the precinct lobby showed our client entering the building with a purpose, emotionally charged, and upset that his friends were in custody. He did not yell, curse, threaten, menace, or act aggressively. No commands were given. No warnings were issued. And yet, he was immediately seized by a civilian dispatcher and swarmed by officers.
The original charges had included multiple counts of Assault and Menacing — based on the claim that our client attacked the dispatcher. The prosecution quietly dropped that charge after the video contradicted the allegation.
🧑⚖️ The Trial
We cross-examined three prosecution witnesses, including the dispatcher and two responding officers. Their accounts varied, and the video contradicted critical portions of their testimony. Our client also took the stand to testify in his own defense. The jury ultimately rejected the obstruction and resisting arrest charges — a clear sign that they did not find the arrest to be lawful or the conduct criminal.
The jury did return a verdict of Guilty on Disorderly Conduct, a non-criminal violation under New York law.
✅ The Outcome
Our client avoided a criminal conviction. He was found not guilty of the only charges that would have created a permanent criminal record. We are now preparing for sentencing, where we will argue for a non-custodial outcome and no additional penalties.
This case was about overreaction, miscommunication, and the importance of careful review of evidence — especially when liberty is at stake. We’re proud to have helped our client stand up against an unjust accusation and walk out of the courthouse with a clean record.
Why Jury Trials Matter
This case is a powerful reminder of why jury trials matter. Six citizens reviewed the evidence and reached a verdict that reflected both the law and the truth. Without the protections of a trial, our client may have been wrongly convicted based on incomplete or misleading accounts. In a courtroom, evidence can be tested, challenged, and ultimately accepted as trustworthy. That process is essential to justice.
We Try Cases
At our firm, we don’t just negotiate pleas — we try cases. When your freedom is on the line, you need a defense attorney who knows the courtroom, understands how to cross-examine witnesses, and isn’t afraid to fight for a Not Guilty verdict. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial — because sometimes, that’s exactly what it takes to win.
Advice for Anyone Facing Criminal Charges
If you or someone you love is charged with a crime, don’t be afraid to ask your lawyer one important question: *When was the last time you tried a jury case to verdict?* Jury trials are not just about evidence — they’re about credibility, strategy, and experience. Make sure your defense attorney is ready and willing to fight for you in court.
Our client walked out of the courthouse without a criminal conviction. That result didn’t happen by accident — it happened because we tried the case, exposed the weaknesses in the prosecution’s story, and trusted the jury to do what was right.