Possession of a Controlled Substance
Oct 01, 2010OUTCOME: Dismissed
DS was charges with possession of a controlled substance in Philadelphia. Attorney Dorward presented his case before the Municipal Court and the Judge decided to dismiss the case.
Shawn Michael Dorward's Legal Cases (8)
Harrisburg, PA
DUI and DWI Lawyer at Harrisburg, PA
Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Criminal Defense, Violent Crime
Multiple Drug and Firearm Felonies Dismissed
Feb 02, 2010OUTCOME: Dismissed
KW was initially charged with Receiving Stolen Property (F2), Possession of Firearm Prohibited (F3), Firearms Not to be Carried W/O License (F3), Drug Possession w/ the Intent to Deliver (F3), Drug Par ... aphernalia (M2). He would have been facing a lengthy prison sentence if found guilty. KW was initially pulled over because of the tint on his vehicle; however, the officer also testified that he began following the van because he had received information within the past three weeks about a driver of a white van causing problems in the neighborhood. A stop was made whereby the officer requested identification of the driver and proof of registration and insurance. The driver provided all requested documents. The officer then had the two occupants step out of the vehicle and to the rear of their vehicle. The officer ran a criminal background check and noted that the driver previously had a firearms charge. This charge was approximately five years ago. Based on that information the officer completed what he called a protective sweep of the driver’s side compartment of the vehicle where he found a gun underneath the driver’s side seat. Upon finding the firearm he immediately came back to the rear of the vehicle where the defendant was standing with the passenger and several other officers and placed the driver in handcuffs. The passenger was left go, no questions asked. The driver of the vehicle was taken away at that point and the arresting officer contacted the registered vehicle owner requesting her consent to search the vehicle. She gave consent to search only after the officer advised her that he would obtain a search warrant and the vehicle would be towed. In the vehicle they found crack cocaine and other items of drug paraphernalia. Attorney Dorward argued that the officer conducted an improper search of the vehicle and the judge agreed. All charges were dismissed except for a summary tint charge.
Felony Drug Charges- Withdrawn
Jan 07, 2010OUTCOME: Nolle Prossed
Mr. DC was accused of Felony Drug possession and related charges where he was accused of selling drugs and also possessing drugs with the intent of selling them. He was facing several years worth of ... mandatory minimums. They went to trial and lost. However, never giving up, Attorney Dorward continued to examine the case even after conviction and his hard work paid off. He was able to discover purposefully withheld exculpatory evidence that lead to forcing the DA to dismiss the case even after obtaining a conviction before a Jury.
Officer Mistakes Rare Disease for DUI
Jan 05, 2010OUTCOME: Dismissed at the Preliminary hearing
Attorney Dorward represented WM in a case where his 4 counts of DUI were dismissed. Prior to the hearing he asked the officer for the results from his client's blood test because at the time he filed ... the initial charges the officer had not received the results. The officer explained he would not be testifying to the results but agreed to show them to me and made me copies. All the tests came back negative. After receiving those results Attorney Dorward proceeded to a hearing where the officer testified he received a phone call from dispatch indicating erratic driving in the area he was on patrol. At the time of the police stop, WM was out of his vehicle putting notes in mailboxes he thought he hit. WM’s vehicle matched the description of the vehicle given by dispatch. The officer provided testimony that WM did not have his driver’s license and could not locate his registration, which the officer picked up right in front of him. Additionally, WM’s truck ran over a 3 foot pile of stone in the yard he was in. A PBT was given with no indication of alcohol and the officer stated WM was slow and sluggish. WM was placed in the back of the officers patrol vehicle and became unconscious at one point in time prior to him leaving the scene. The officer contacted the local hospital who in turn sent an ambulance to come pick him up. The officer waited on scene for the tow truck to come take WM’s vehicle away and then went to the hospital where he told WM he was going to be charged with DUI. Attorney Dorward based his arguments on the fact that the blood test came back negative and that WM has a disease called cystic vomiting syndrome which is an extremely painful disease. WM can go through vomiting episodes that last for hours. In the three months prior to this episode, WM had been hospitalized 16 times due to this disease. Also, since the time of this incident WM had one of his legs amputated. This dismissal could not have happened to a better person and someone in need of a fresh start.
Felony Drug Dealing and Weapons Charges Withdrawn
Jul 15, 2009OUTCOME: Felony Drug Dealing and Weapons Charges Withdrawn
Mr. M was arrested and charged with felony drug dealing along with weapons charges. If convicted he was looking at a lengthy prison sentence. Attorney Shawn Dorward represented Mr. M in this case and ... his superior research and planning were the keys to winning this case. After a series of motions by Attorney Dorward were granted, the prosecution moved to withdraw its prosecution of this case.
Felony Unlawful Use of Computer, Theft
Mar 19, 2009OUTCOME: All counts dismissed
Ms. P was charged with a felony count of unlawful use of a computer as well as theft of property. Attorney Shawn Dorward successfully argued the case at the preliminary hearing and his objections were ... key to having all of the charges dismissed.
Aggravated Assault (First Degree Felony), Criminal Trespassing (Third Degree Felony): Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
Dec 11, 2008OUTCOME: Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
Mr. D was charged with four counts which included aggravated assault (first degree felony) and criminal trespassing (third degree felony). Crimes this serious normally carry lengthy prison sentences a ... nd probation. Attorney Shawn Dorward argued the case in front of the District Justice. His precise cross-examination of the evidence showed major flaws in the DA's case. He argued that because of these flaws, there was simply not enough evidence to prosecute Mr. D. The Court agreed and dismissed the case.
Commonwealth v. Justin Chad Tobery
N/AOUTCOME: Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI dismissed
Originally, Mr. Tobery was charged with Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI as well as DUI-High Rate (Blood Alcohol Content between 0.10 and 0.16) and DUI-incapable of safe driving. This is a ... serious felony of the second degree charge where the other impacted party was grievously injured. After a contested preliminary hearing, use of experts and a hotly contested suppression hearing, the trial court agreed with Attorney McShane that there was no probable cause to arrest Mr. Tobery and the chemical sample of the blood for determining the BAC was improper. As a result, all charges were dismissed. To read the trial court opinion please read the below: <a href="http://www.themcshanefirm.com/file_download/479/2009_04_24_17_04_03.pdf">Trial Court opinion</a>
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