County: Orange
Type of case/Charge(s): Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Possession of Cannabis, Possession of Paraphernalia.
Summary: Our client was stopped by law enforcement engaging in “proactive patrol” techniques for an alleged minor seatbelt violation. A K-9 police dog allegedly alerted to the presence of drugs, which led to the police searching the car and seizing a concealed firearm, marijuana and paraphernalia. Our client was a convicted felon, making the possession of a firearm a second degree felony, carrying up to a 15 year prison sentence. Board Certified Criminal Trial Expert Benjamin Jones led the team at Longwell Lawyers by filing a Motion to Suppress and two Motions to Dismiss. After litigating the Motions and spending four days in trial, a jury returned a Not Guilty verdict on the Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Possession of Cannabis, and Possession of Paraphernalia charges. A mistrial was declared on the Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, causing the prosecution to agree to dismiss that count.
Result: Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon was dropped, Client was acquitted of all remaining charges at trial.