Sentence Reduction in a Federal Case

We recently obtained a significant sentence reduction for a federal client of ours.

The federal sentencing guidelines (which mostly control the type of sentences a defendant should receive) called for a sentence of approximately 37 months in federal prison.

However, after we made various arguments to the Court, the Court imposed only an 18-month sentence.

The client was also permitted to “self-report” to the designated federal institution in early February of 2025.

In reality, a good portion of this sentence will be served in what is called a halfway house. Client was of course very pleased.

Parenting Plan Resolved in Family Law Case

In our family law practice, we were recently able to get the “parenting plan” portion of a divorce case (which can often be the most complicated and costly portion of the case) resolved.

This was a high-conflict case, and it was truly in the best interests of the minor child that the parties resolved this part of the case.

They do have some “marital property” issues that will be addressed in the future, but given that the parenting issues were resolved, we anticipate that the resolving the property issues will now be easier.

Business Litigation Matter Underway

We are in the process of litigating a semi-huge business litigation matter involving a rather profitable business that provides services to persons with disabilities.

The shareholders have had a falling out, mostly because the business essentially had too much business and was getting too much revenue – and that’s when many arguments about money start.

Some of the minority shareholders (who do very little work) are getting somewhat greedy about the amount they think their shares are worth.

This case is just getting started, and we are seeking to push the parties into what is called “mediation” to try and get early resolution of the case.

Details to follow in later newsletters.

How We Turned a Felonious Assault Charge into a Dismissal: A Success Story

We were able recently to get a very serious street fight that lead to a felonious assault charge reduced to what is called ‘diversion.’

Under this diversion program, the client gets to perform some various probation tasks for a certain period of time – to be followed by a dismissal and an automatic expungement.

This is a rather incredible outcome – we think based upon our extensive independent investigation and locating a very exculpatory video evidence.

Client is very pleased.

The Power of Video Evidence in DUI Defense

We recently obtained a DUI reduction for our client based upon a thorough analysis and evaluation of the video evidence provided during discovery. 

Our extensive experience in analyzing DUI video was crucial here.

Client was very pleased.

Divorce Resolution: Tackling Parenting Disputes and Debt Division

We were recently able to resolve a sticky divorce case involving parenting issues and property division issues.

The parties did not have a huge amount of assets and they had incurred significant credit card debt (which had to be divided just like an asset).

Navigating Federal Pleas: Michael O’Shea’s Experience in a Complex Drug Conspiracy Case

Michael O’Shea had to recently travel to Toledo, Ohio to complete a complicated federal plea in a state-wide drug conspiracy case.

The client (unlike many of the defendants in the drug conspiracy case) was able to say out on bond with his family while the court investigated his sentencing options.

Client remained pleased.

Dog Attack Case Resolved

We just resolved a serious dog attack personal injury case.  

These are complicated personal injury claims, but we were able to convince the insurance carrier that our client was not at fault for the dog attack, and that there was much more to her injury than the broken skin and scars.

DUI Appeal Successful

We just successfully ended a DUI appeal where we were able to get the trial court to suppress the results of a DUI arrest.    

The City had appealed the trial court decision in our favor, but the City abandoned the appeal after all of the briefs were filed.  

In short, the City quit the appeal once they reconsidered our issued.  

Client was very please and wants to get on with his life.

Processing Settlements for Injured East Palestine Residents

We continue to process our 150 plus clients who were injured as a result of the trail derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.  

The train company has reached a tentative $600 million class action settlement, and we now have to figure out how our clients will get their respective equitable payment from this fund.  

These activities are ongoing.

Domestic Violence Protective Order

We successfully obtained a domestic violence protective order for our 16-year-old client against her own biological father – who had taken his corporal punishment activity to very dangerous heights (while almost always intoxicated).   

These cases are very complicated, and we had to spend a fair amount of effort to get ready for the trial. 

Child Custody Matter Resolved

We just resolved a 2-year-old contested custody matter in Erie County. 

The ex-wife of our client had tried for years to back out of the arms-length divorce deal she made on the record.  

The trial court ruled against her, and the Court of appeals ruled against her. But she persisted in her attempts, and somewhat succeeded in creating division amongst the (4) children with their father (our client).  

We continue to work on the parenting issues and preventing the ex-wife-mother from her toxic and alienation activities. 

Dog Attack Settlement Reached

We just settled a very complicated dog attack case in a rural county in Ohio.

Very difficult to get these cases resolved in that particular area of Ohio. Nevertheless, we pushed and pushed hard and were able to get a settlement amount that might be above what the normal range is out in that area of Ohio.

Client very pleased.

DUI Charge Dismissed

We recently resolved a DUI case in another county by having the DUI charge dismissed completely and having the client plea to just the speeding and open container charge.   

It helps very much if your lawyer knows how street DUI investigations are suppose to be done. 

Client was very polite to the police – which also helped very much (police officers really appreciate that). 

Prison Time Avoided

We just resolved a federal probation violation matter, and avoided our client going back to prison (he has to do 40 hours of community service instead). 

That certainly beat him doing 9 months in federal prison.

Criminal Case Resolved

We just resolved a criminal case in a Cleveland suburb which involved a commercial client that was charged with the actions responding to a court official who had entered our client’s premises in a menacing fashion.  

We convinced the city prosecutor to let our client plea to a minor misdemeanor, and the client was able to just pau and fine with no further action. 

Good result for all concerned. 

Defamation Case Goes to Trial

We are expected to go to trial this month in a years-long case involving what is called “defamation.”  

The now former mayor of a Cleveland suburb (in order to promote her failed attempt at re-election) deliberately defamed two prior officers in an attempt to cover up her own public dishonesty. 

These cases are heavy with emotion, and we often have to remember what a deliberately defamatory statement can do to a person’s professional reputation.

The True Cost of Insurance: How a Dog Attack Case Reveals Priorities

We have to file suit in a case involving a dog attack of a customer of a business.

We did not want to file suit, and the business owner and our client at one point prior to the attack were friends.

However, the insurance company for the business has been ridiculous in their evaluation of the claim, and therefore our clients reluctantly have to file suit.

This is just another example of where an insurance company cares more about its money than it does its own insured. Very unfortunate.

Case Brings Attention to Auto Insurance Policy

We are involved with a very serious automobile crash that is a result of an improper police chase from a suburb into the city of Cleveland.

Gathering the public records and videos and body cam and dash cam materials associated with our analysis of this chase case has been somewhat difficult.

We see more and more of these cases currently. However, this particular case is another reminder of how important it is for folks to check their own insurance policies to make sure they have enough of what we call “underinsured” and “uninsured” coverage to protect them from people who are engaged in criminal activities or who are probably uninsured at the time of the automobile accident.

Take a look at your policy today. Make sure that you have coverage the exceeds $500,000 or more. This increased coverage does not cost a lot. Something to consider

Neglect of Protocol Affects DUI Case

We recently succeeded in getting a municipal court to grant what is called a “motion to suppress” in a DUI case.

The Court concluded that the officer involved did not follow the proper protocol in pulling the defendant over and conducting what are called “field sobriety tests.”

Much of this analysis is very technical, and our ability to locate the mistakes (based on our vast experience with those issues) helped very much in the ruling.

Client was very remorseful, and pleased with the outcome.