I remember The 1st time I had heard about this experienced lawyer, who was amazing in court and who also had been practicing law for 30years that had a swagger like a modern day Johnnie Cochran. I was talking to my younger brother who had retained Mark Pollard after a domestic incident. He was very... impressed by this lawyer.
Now Fast forward a few years to my 1st actual interaction with Mr. Mark Pollard. I had been what you would call “ catfished” for those who dont know what that means, In short I was mislead about a person gender and/ identity prior to and after a consensual sex act or consensual sexual contact.
As traumatic as that was; having someone who you believe to be one gender, perform consensual acts with out informing you of the facts of their gender. And assume that you just going to have to accept their chosen gender over the one assigned them at birth?
Wait... that was not the end of my nightmares to top it off and make matters worse after the consensual contact occurred, which was at a well known public coffee shop in a very busy area near 34th penn station. After this person finally disclosed their gender when they could not hide it anyfurther, all I did was to reject any further contact with them because that was not my thing. I felt disgusted , violated and confused. I expressed these things to that individual. In person as well as via text mesg afterward this person continued to peruse me by waiting out side of the coffee shop for me following me saying “ but you don’t understand “and “ you can’t be mad at me I’m sorry for not telling you” “you don’t know what its like” Right then I knew I was dealing with a crazy person and because we were in such a busy area I was embarrassed about the entire interaction. when I finally threatened to tell someone I knew who worked at the same job where they worked, The person stop following me and I walked toward the train but not before texting the person again. “ please do not contact me ever again. I feel disgusted. Please do not call or text me again ur blocked!”
Not long after I was arrested and charged with sex assault which is a extremely serious crime carrying heavy penalties and costly legal fees. In the era of all the hash tag #s I would say this was by far the worst possible ttime for me to be involved in this type of mix up . I am not exaggerating when I say that my entire world came crashing down on me. I lost my union job at LaGuardia air port that I had worked many years to get. I lost my apartment. I lost my car. I lost friends. I lost my most valuable relationships including with one Of my children.
But to my hearts relief my younger brother and mark were right there in the court room at my arraignment and Mark stayed on my case for 2years after fighting tenaciously and compassionately on my behalf, even encouraging me when I couldn’t see my own way.
Finally we get to trial and as scary as that is by itself , this person came and tried to lie again on the stand but Mark as always was calm maintained his frame. Skillfully picking thru the lies while destroying the persons credibility in a very eloquent and professional way. I felt like we could have won the case right after the cross examination however he brought it all home in his closing statements again with smooth thought provoking facts or as he put it the lack there of; he was everything I had heard and more. I am grateful, I will never forget how Mark fought for me tooth and nail. How he encouraged me to fight for myself. I wasn’t going to take the stand on my behave but I did because of marks expert advise which was for me to do what I think is the right choice.
Although we got a hung jury /mistrial that was for me a victory !
I would recommend Mr. Pollard to anyone with a serious case. He is like a heart or Brain surgeon. Very skilled. Very knowledgeable. Very down to earth.
T. Tyler