Case Results

Brian Worthington’s client, alleged to have been involved in a shooting into an occupied vehicle which left one person dead, had her charges reduced to a misdemeanor. She was ordered to complete probation, to do community service, and to pay a fine of $150. Mr. Worthington represented this client for nearly two years, during which time he argued that she had no involvement in the planning of the shooting, and was not voluntarily present at the scene of the shooting, but was only there because she too had been threatened by other, dangerous individuals to allow them to use her car. After two years, and only five days before her trial was set to begin, the charges were reduced to a misdemeanor. The Judge told Mr. Worthington’s client that she believed the client was only present because she made a poor decision to surround herself with “stupid people.” The Judge encouraged her to choose better friends and said she was confident the client would not be back in court if she was not involved with those people any longer.

Brian Worthington was able to secure a grant of diversion for a client accused of possessing an assault rifle and a short-barreled. The District Attorney made the client no offer other than to plead guilty to the charges and agree for the firearms to be destroyed. Mr. Worthington rejected that offer and had a contested hearing for diversion. The judge granted diversion over the DA’s objection, and even denied their request to destroy the assault weapon. Mr. Worthington’s client must only complete community service and not possess similar weapons for one year. His case will then be dismissed.

Brian Worthington’s client had all charges against her dismissed after only two court appearances. Mr. Worthington used text messages, ring video camera evidence, witness interviews, and his client’s husband’s criminal record to show the district attorney that his client was acting in self-defense the night she was arrested. The district attorney agreed, dismissed the charges, and instead pursued charges against the woman’s husband. She will be eligible to have the record of her arrest sealed.

Brian Worthington’s client had his assault with a deadly weapon charge—a strike—reduced to a simple battery—a misdemeanor. He received no jail time, no probation, and was required to complete no counseling classes. He was released with credit for his one day in jail when he was arrested, and told to pay a fine of $150. Mr. Worthington secured this result by showing the District Attorney that the police were aware the alleged “victim” had previously sent his client threatening text messages, and that the police potentially violated the law when they failed to preserve those texts messages during the investigation. The DA agreed to reduce the charges before any officer had to testify regarding why they failed to preserve the evidence.

Brian Worthington secured a dismissal of all charges against two clients accused of using a forged bill at a charity event. Mr. Worthington used his clients’ bank records, as well as pointing out holes in the investigation report, to show the district attorney they could not possibly prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The DA agreed after only one court appearance, and dismissed. Both clients will be eligible to have the record of their arrests sealed.