Attorney Murat Erkan's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Following negotiations, prosecutor and detective agree to dismiss crack distribution case

Apr 30, 2018

OUTCOME: Case dismissed

Lawrence District Court case no. 1618CR003905 charging distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Police observed a suspected ... drug transaction, in which "buyer" claimed our client sold her heroin for $80. Police arrest our client, finding additional heroin and crack cocaine on his person, as well as the $80 buy money. On April 30, 2018, following negotiations with the narcotics detective and prosecutor, the government agrees to dismiss all charges against our client.

Domestic violence

Retaliatory charges against domestic abuse survivor dismissed prior to arraignment

Mar 23, 2018

OUTCOME: Charges dismissed prior to arraignment

Lawrence District Court case no. 1818CR000502 charging felony malicious destruction of property. Client is a domestic abuse survivor. Her domestic partner files bogus complaint in retaliation for her ... reporting his abuse to police. We meet with prosecutors and prevail upon them that her prosecution is not in the interest of justice. The prosecutor agrees, ordering the complaint dismissed prior to any arraignment.

Domestic violence

Attorney Basso establishes restraining order plaintiff lacked credibility; restraining order terminated

Mar 06, 2018

OUTCOME: Restraining order terminated

Lawrence District Court case no. impounded, complaint for abuse prevention order. Client's former domestic partner files frivolous restraining order request against our client. At a hearing at which ... the alleged victim testified, our attorney Christopher Basso through cross-examination revealed her testimony to lack credibility. The court orders the restraining order terminated.

DUI and DWI

Associate counsel secures acquittal of client charged with driving under the influence

Mar 06, 2018

OUTCOME: Client acquitted of DWI/OUI/DUI

Somerville District Court case no. 1710CR001044 charging drunk driving (OUI/DWI/DUI), negligent driving. Trooper claims client weaving and driving 87 in a 55, almost striking other cars and HOV lane b ... arriers. Client fails all field sobriety tests. Police find rum bottle in car. They claim he is belligerent at booking. Our then-associate attorney Daryl Zules with Attorney Erkan supervising presented the matter to a jury. The jury found our client not guilty on the OUI and a mistrial was declared on the negligent driving. The Court continued the negligence charge without a finding following which, that charge was also dismissed on 9/7/18.

Criminal defense

Client accused of drug dealing has conviction filed with no sentence

Feb 26, 2018

OUTCOME: Guilty filed with no sentence

Essex County Superior Court case no. 1777CR00031 charging trafficking in heroin over 18 grams and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Young client first-time offender charged with serious fe ... lony and facing mandatory deportation. At lobby conference, we convince the Court to grant our request to allow our client to plead guilty, but file the indictment with no punishment of any kind. This largely unprecedented disposition was the only means by which our client would be spared from certain deportation.

Violent crime

Investigation exonerates our client of armed robbery; leads to identification of guilty party

Feb 16, 2018

OUTCOME: Client exonerated

Lawrence District Court case no. 1718CR005946 charging ten counts of armed robbery. Government alleges client is a member of a ruthless stick-up crew which, most recently, conducted a robbery of a pok ... er game at gunpoint. Client insists he has no involvement. We conduct an investigation, following generates evidence that not only exonerates our client, but leads to identification of the actual robber. We present our findings to law enforcement resulting in dismissal of all charges against our client.

Violent crime

Guilty plea arising from ineffective plea negotiations set aside; client resolves case with no immigration consequences

Jan 31, 2018

OUTCOME: Conviction set aside; client avoids deportation and is now a citizen

Lawrence District Court case no. 0718CR6788 charging mayhem, assault and battery dangerous weapon (ABDW) and assault and battery (A&B). At a house party, client allegedly smashed a glass into victim's ... eye, causing serious injury. On advice of court appointed lawyer, client pleads guilty to ABDW and A&B and is sentenced to 18 months suspended. Client, now a certified nursing assistant, married, and mother of two, learns she is facing mandatory deportation as an aggravated felon. In 2011, client retains Boston law firm to file motion for new trial. The motion is denied. In 2016, client retains our office. We file a motion for new trial. On January 31, 2018, the government concedes that her prior plea was invalid because of her prior lawyer's deficient performance. We negotiate a new agreement for a plea to the lesser charge of simple a&b which carries no adverse immigration consequences.

Criminal defense

Negotiated dismissal of operating to endanger

Jan 26, 2018

OUTCOME: Case dismissed after general continuance

Lawrence District Court case no. 1718CR001315 charging operating to endanger and failure to stop for police. We appear for trial. Following negotiations with prosecutor, case dismissed pursuant to G. ... L. c. 276, §87.

Domestic violence

Investigation reveals motive for false charges; case dismissed

Jan 22, 2018

OUTCOME: Case dismissed

Chelsea District Court case no. 1714CR00852 charging assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon; 1714CR00853 violation of a restraining order. Our client was accused of intentionally striking ... his roommate with a door during verbal altercation. Following his arrest, our client returns home to get clothes, and is arrested again for violating a no-contact order. Our investigation reveals that alleged victim had ongoing feud with a third roommate. Our client counseled the third roommate to contact police rather than allowing the incident to escalate. The next day, the alleged victim filed this criminal case against our client in retaliation for his siding with the third roommate. Armed with that information, we appeared for trial. After learning that we had discovered her misconduct, the alleged victim refused to come to court. Case dismissed.

Criminal defense

Drug charges dismissed after associate counsel establishes illegal stop

Nov 28, 2017

OUTCOME: Case dismissed

Lawrence District Court case no. 1718CR000962 charging possession of heroin with intent to distribute, failure to stop for police. State police attempt to pull client over for alleged driving infracti ... on. Client flees and is captured after short pursuit. Trooper locates heroin in client's pocket. Client admits to heroin sales. Following analysis of stop, we determine stop was illegal. Our then-associate attorney Daryl Zules conducted motion to suppress hearing. Court allows motion, case dismissed on 11/28/17.

Murat Erkan's Legal Cases (100)

Following negotiations, prosecutor and detective agree to dismiss crack distribution case

Retaliatory charges against domestic abuse survivor dismissed prior to arraignment

Attorney Basso establishes restraining order plaintiff lacked credibility; restraining order terminated

Associate counsel secures acquittal of client charged with driving under the influence

Client accused of drug dealing has conviction filed with no sentence

Investigation exonerates our client of armed robbery; leads to identification of guilty party

Guilty plea arising from ineffective plea negotiations set aside; client resolves case with no immigration consequences

Negotiated dismissal of operating to endanger

Investigation reveals motive for false charges; case dismissed

Drug charges dismissed after associate counsel establishes illegal stop