State v. L.J.

Outcome: Dismissed by State before Trial

Description: I represented a 19 year-old woman charged with Manslaughter in the First Degree for the stabbing death of her younger brother in a shopping center parking lot. The case received significant local media attention and was a devastating experience for my young client. Investigation and trial preparation revealed a strong self-defense claim but it was clear to me that my client's interests would not be served by enduring a lengthy and high-profile jury trial. Instead, I presented my case to the prosecutor through extensive negotiations and persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charge against my client on the eve of trial, thereby avoiding media attention and minimizing the stress on my client.