Attorney Ryan J. Harrington's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

N/A

OUTCOME: Client released from custody

Hispanic client was arrested on suspiction of cocaine delivery. Shortly aftern his arrest, Client's family and friends collectively posted $100,000.00 cash bail in the form of three separate cashier's ... checks for his release from custody. However, upon the posting of said bail by a Hispanic female, authorities refused to release Client and instead questioned the Hispanic female in a very intimidating fashion regarding the source of the money. Authorities suspected the source as being involved in the drug trade and money laundering despite not even a shred of evidence to support such accusations. In fact, the three checks were posted by a multimillion-dollar manufacturing company in Kenosha, an accountant for the company who used funds from her property management business, and a couple who had co-owned a mechanic's shop for ten years. Unfortunately, it had been discovered by authorities immediately upon Client's arrest that he was an illegal immigrant, but to their chagrin, there had not been a timely ICE hold placed on him, meaning that posting of Client's bond would, and SHOULD, result in his release from custody. Obviously, authorities had a vested interest in keeping Client in custody, so that's just what they did, despite the posting of his bond. I immediately filed an emergency Peition for Writ of Mandamus arguing that authorities had questioned the source of the bond only because the individual who had presented the three separate checks was Hispanic and that this was simply an end-around game on the part of authorities to wrongfully detain my Client so as to correct the error of not placing a timely ICE hold. The circuit court judge agreed with my argument that Client had been wrongfully detained and immediately granted my request, ordering that my client be released from custody forthwith.

Criminal defense

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

N/A

OUTCOME: Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty (Battery to a Police Officer)

Client returned home from an enjoyable day at the Brewer's game with her female significant other and decided to take some prescribed medication for her back pain. Evidence showed that client typicall ... y took less than the prescribed dosage and did so on this occasion. She soon began to feel light-headed and hyperventilate, at which time her girfriend called 911 and client's mother to advise. Client and her girlfriend testified that they had hoped to have paramedics arrive, instead law enforcement officers showed up. The responding officers found client sobbing and asked her if she intended to harm herself. There were no reports by girlfriend or client of any suicidal thoughts or depression and client testified that she told officers she had no intention of harming herself. Despite this, officers insisted on removing her from her home by force to place her in secured emergency detention for her own safety. Client responded that she did not wish to be removed and then reiterated that she did not have any intention of harming herself and did not need to go the hospital. Despite assurances from client that she is now fine, officers attempted to handcuff her and remove her from her home. Handcuffs were applied and client became hysterical. At the deputies' prodding, client's girlfriend successfully attempted to reassure client and calm her down, eventually getting client to kneel down on the floor. At this time the client's mother contacted client's girlfriend by phone for a status on client's condition. Client then attempted to rise from her knees to tell her mother she is fine, at which time deputies bull rush her and shove her head through the front door. Client is taken to the ground with two officers on top of her, who proceed to knee the client in her back and strike her in the back of her head. The evidence showed that during the confrontation one of the officers remarked, "You're going one way or another, you f*#%!ing dike." In the melee and confusion, one of the officers was kneed in the thigh by client and so client was charged with Battery to a Police Officer. Upon conviction for this charge she faced up to 10 years in prison. A Jefferson County jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.

Criminal defense

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

N/A

OUTCOME: Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty (Reckless Endangerment)

Client, his wife and their dog were spending the night at a friend's house and the friend set off some M-80 fireworks in the middle of the night after my client had gone to sleep in the guest bedroom w ... ith his wife and dog. Unbeknownst to my client or his friend, neighbors contacted police reporting possible gun play. A short time later, my client got up to let his dog out. After entering the screened-in porch while half-asleep with his dog, client found that he was surrounded by Janesville police officers with guns drawn shouting commands that he come out with his hands up. Client asked that he be allowed to let his dog back into the house before coming out with his hands up and officers refused his request. Client then warned officers that if he comes out of the screened-in porch while keeping his hands up, the dog will likely escape. Evidence showed that the dog is a small to medium-sized mutt, but was acting excitably given all the outside stimulai provided by the officers. After refusing client's request, officers continued to shout commands that client come out with his hands up. Client did as he was commanded and client's dog got loose despite client's best efforts to keep the dog back. Evidence showed that the dog went from officer to officer wagging its tail and appearing to want to play, then playfully jumped up towards an officer's leg, at which time said officer shot it through the chest and blew off its back leg. Absolutely no evidence was presented at trial to suggest that the dog was showing its teeth, growling or being aggressive in any manner. Client was charged with 2nd Degree Reckless Endangerment for allegedly endangering the safety of Janesville police officers by 'sicking' his dog on them. Upon conviction he faced 5 years in prison. A Rock County jury was out less than 45 minutes before returning a Not Guilty verdict.

Criminal defense

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

N/A

OUTCOME: Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty (Reckless Homicide)

16 yr old client was driving with her younger sister in the passenger seat in the early morning hours on the way to school. Evidence showed that frost was on the roadway, along with other debris, incl ... uding sand and gravel. Evidence also showed client was an inexperienced driver operating a car she was unfamiliar with. While driving through a subdivision, client lost control of her vehicle on a curved roadway. Client's vehicle left the road, striking and killing client's friend as she stood waiting for the bus. Client was charged with Reckless Homicide. State retained out-of-state accident reconstructionist who opined that client was traveling at a high rate of speed, i.e., approx. 60 mph. Defense retained a local and highly qualified mechanical engineering consultant and accident reconstructionist also trained in ergonomics who opined based on drag factors, coefficients of friction, the vehicle's path of travel and ergonomics of the victim that client was traveling at a much lower rate of speed, i.e., approx. 42 mph. After a polarizing 5 day trial, the jury found insufficient evidence to convict on the charge of Reckless Homicide, but returned a guilty verdict on the lesser included offense of Negligent Homicide, which is what defense had attempted to plea bargain prior to trial, but State refused.

Personal injury

Client vs. Defendant and Defendant Insurance Company

N/A

OUTCOME: Jury returned an award of $17,500 after insurance company had offered zero

After a 12-person jury trial in Kenosha County and a pre-trial offer of $0 from the defendant insurance company, Attorney Harrington won a $17,500.00 award at jury verdict in a personal injury case wh ... ere the defendants denied liability.

Ryan J. Harrington's Legal Cases (15)

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

State of Wisconsin vs. Client

Client vs. Defendant and Defendant Insurance Company