Mike Brandt’s client was charged with Felony Drug Possession from a night of partying that turned out bad. Mike’s client was accosted by the police for walking on the street with an open container of alcohol. When confronted by the police, he tried to run from the police and was eventually tackled and arrested. During the arrest they found a felony level of controlled substances on him. The felony drug charges would have had a very drastic impact on Mike’s client and could have affected his education, career, and housing. In preparing the case, Mike developed a theory about how the police arrested his client and whether or not there was sufficient cause for the police to have seized him. Mike also had his client obtain a chemical use assessment, complete the class that was recommended, and Mike submitted a packet of information detailing how Mike’s client was in school, had a lot of community support, and deserved a break.
Based upon all of this, the prosecutor agreed to what is called a stay of adjudication, where by the judge did not accept his client’s plea, placed him on probation for 2 ½ years, and if he successfully completes probation, the charges will be dismissed and he will have the right to have the records from this incident sealed or expunged.
This type of result for Mike’s client is the product of careful preparation, a thorough knowledge of the law, as well as an understanding of the details a prosecutor looks for in settling a case.