State of Texas v. J. M.
Feb 27, 2018OUTCOME: No-Billed
Client, J. M., at a 65-year-old woman with zero criminal history and a Texas License to Carry (LTC) who was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon after she was involved in a road-rage in ... cident. The “complainant” chased J. M. and aggressively approached her vehicle. In response and in fear for her life J. M. took her firearm out of her purse in case the irate person attacked her. J. M. never removed her gun from her holster or even pointed it. J. M. believed the interaction was over until she was contacted by a detective a few days later. The detective accused J. M. of firing her pistol at the alleged complainant, which she adamantly denied. A week later, J. M.’s house was raided by a S.W.A.T. team, she was arrested, and had to bond out. I immediately got to work and with the help of the client, conducted the investigation the police failed to do. After thorough legal review, we identified some significant issues in this case including lack of evidence and self-defense. I prepared a defense packet and J. M. to testify before for the grand jury. Based on J. M.’s testimony and the defensive grand jury packet the case was NO-BILLED (dismissed). The key to our success was a thorough understanding of the grand jury system along with a rapid and responsive defense strategy. While it is very unfortunate that J. M. was arrested in the first place, this was the best possible outcome.
