Local Success: Trial Court Successes: April, 2016

Below are trial court victories of our subscribers as reported on SADO’s Forum—an online community for criminal defense attorneys. Subscribers are encouraged to submit their stories of success on SADO’s Forum and/or directly to Associate Editor Neil Leithauser at nleithauserattorney@comcast.net. SADO’s CDRC Subscription information is available by contacting Heather Waara at hwaara@sado.org.

James W. Amberg won a not guilty verdict in the 6th Judicial (Oakland County) Circuit Court in a manufacturing marijuana/medical marijuana case.

Michael A. Faraone won a 30-month reduction from a sentence and a restitution order was vacated in the 9th Judicial (Kalamazoo County) Circuit Court.  Mr. Faraone also obtained a new trial for a client convicted of second-degree murder and other charges in the 31st Judicial (St. Clair County) Circuit Court.  Andrew Lee and Katherine L. Marcuz provided helpful assistance through the MAACS Appellate Investigation Project.

James R. Samuels won a not guilty jury verdict of a body armor offense; the client was convicted of resisting/obstructing offenses.

Chad D. Catalino won directed verdicts on two counts of possession with intent to deliver and won an acquittal on a third count in a bench trial in the 14th Judicial (Muskegon County) Circuit Court.

Barry F. Poulson had some success in a trial in the 1st Judicial (Hillsdale County) Circuit Court, where his client was charged with two separate home invasions and related conspiracies; Mr. Poulson won acquittals relating to one address while the client was convicted of the charges relating to the second address.

Dennis H. Snyder negotiated a favorable plea and sentence agreement for his client.  Originally charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, first-degree home invasion, felony firearm, felon in possession, and possession of a short barreled shot gun, the client also faced sentencing as a fourth habitual offender with a mandatory minimum of at least twenty-five years if convicted of the charged offenses.  The agreement was a no contest plea to felonious assault, third habitual offender sentencing, and a sentence of four to eight years.  Mr. Snyder credited attorney Steven C. Howard and Lenny Accardo, the investigator/detective expert, for their assistance.