Juan Francisco Dotson

Juan Francisco Dotson's Legal Cases (10)

South Gate, CA

Family Lawyer at South Gate, CA

Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense ... +3 more

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Immigration

People v. Khaled Hassan

Feb 09, 2010

OUTCOME: vacated gun conviction; eligible for cancellation

Client is facing removal proceedings because of aggravated felony convictions over 15 years old (see GTA case). Counsel successfully convinced the court (partly because of the district attorney's bles ... sing) to vacate his 1992 firearms conviction pursuant to Penal Code section 1016.5 (grounds: failure to advise of specific immigration consequences). District Attorney has agreed to an immigration-friendly disposition. Clearing client's second aggravated felony makes him eligible for cancellation of removal since he is no longer inadmissible.

Immigration

People v. Khaled Hassan

Dec 31, 2009

OUTCOME: post-conviction work eliminated aggravated felony

Client is facing removal proceedings because of aggravated felony convictions over 15 years old. DHS is applying the law as written, regardless of extreme hardship on U.S. citizen children and relativ ... es. Through post-conviction motion work, presentation of hardships, and admittedly some luck, counsel successfully convinced court to modify client's grand theft auto (VC 10851) sentence from 365 days to 364 days. This brings this theft offense outside of the definition of an aggravated felony and increases client's chances of defending his deportation case.

Violent crime

People v. S.O.(1); S. Mendiola (2)

Oct 23, 2009

OUTCOME: not guilty, all counts

Brothers celebrating New Years came to a near tragedy after the cops arrived and manhandled one of them out of his own garage upon where a firearm was discovered after a brief struggle between the offi ... cer and the brothers. The brothers were pressed to fight and beat the case so they could avoid triggering the firearms deportation ground since the DA would not dismiss the firearm allegations. My client benefited from counsel’s short, calculated cross-examination questions that outlined the unreasonableness of both officers' conduct. Counsel coordinated effectively with courageous co-counsel regarding foundation, use of diagrams, and trial strategy. After five hours of deliberations, the jury acquitted the defendants of all charges.

Criminal defense

People v. Xavier Tellez

Dec 10, 2008

OUTCOME: case dismissed

Client was charged with possession of marijuana in a vehicle and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. From the start, the case was set for trial, no time waivers given. A motion to suppress wa ... s also set for the trial date. The goal of the hearing was to either suppress the seized contraband or set up officer for Miranda violations so I can have my client’s statements suppressed in trial. DDA realized weakness of their case, so they offered to dismiss the case if my client took a drug awareness class. Case dismissed.

Criminal defense

People v. David Miranda

Feb 20, 2008

OUTCOME: not guilty on all 4 counts of commercial burglary

Client was accused of stealing hammers on 4 separate occasions (4 counts of felony commercial burglary + many prison priors) from a hardwood store; car linked him to scene, video resembled him. Client ... benefited from my vigorous cross-examination of the loss prevention officer because the suspect on the video looked like my client per the DA and judge. Client contemplated making a 3 year counter offer, but he took it to trial and was found not guilty on all counts. Client did not testify.

Criminal defense

People v. Egularia Perez

Nov 01, 2007

OUTCOME: felony dismissed, probation violated/credit served

Non-citizen client charged with assault with a deadly weapon—and facing up to 4 years in prison (16 month offer by DA, concurrent with her probation violation). A prison sentence would have certainl ... y made this an aggravated felony for immigration purposes. Client benefited since she did not go to prison as I was able to get this felony assault case dismissed twice (once at jury trial stage, second time @ preliminary hearing stage) because the DA was not ready both times. Client ultimately found in violation of probation and sentenced to credit time served, which was our initial counter-offer. Client did not testify.

Criminal defense

People v. Richard Kelly

Mar 23, 2006

OUTCOME: felony resist dismissed; plead misd dom violence

Client was charged with felony resisting arrest with force and misdemeanor domestic violence. I spend tons of time going through all of the facts with the husband and wife, separately. I conducted th ... e preliminary examination that resulted in the judge discharging the felony resisting arrest. Client benefited because his counter-offer, which was to plead guilty to the misdemeanor battery against a spouse, was accepted after the hearing.

Violent crime

People v. Lingenfelter

Dec 22, 2005

OUTCOME: felony charges dismissed; plead disturbing peace

Facing felony domestic violence charges and up to 4 years in prison. Through investigation and negotiation, I outlined weakness of the DA's case; ultimately, the case settled for a misdemeanor disturb ... ing the peace, no probation.

Violent crime

People v. Karen Keene

Jun 27, 2005

OUTCOME: Not guilty on assault with a deadly weapon

Client charged with assault with a deadly weapon (metal pipe) against female neighbor. Through investigation, I learned and understood the complaining witness' culture, habits and reputation and used i ... t against DA in their case-in-chief. Client found not guilty because self-defense theory flushed out when jury learned about the client's injuries and the complaining witness' habits, reputation, etc. Client did not testify.

Violent crime

People v. A.Sanchez

N/A

OUTCOME: stabbing resolved for general assault, no jail

Client was identified as the person that stabbed a young man in Valley (Los Angeles). The victim went to the hospital and received stitches. Client faced violent (and serious) felony charges which car ... ry a maximum of 7 years state prison. The knife and great bodily injury allegations elevated this general assault charge to a violent felony pursuant to Penal Code section 667.5(c) (a "strike"). After some investigation, the case proceeded to preliminary hearing since the district attorney did not make any offers to resolve the case. During the preliminary hearing, I skillfully cross-examined the state's witnesses, which in turn highlighted the proof issues for the district attorney. The Law Office successfully convinced the district attorney to "strike" the strike allegations for the plea agreement: felony assault no-contest plea that carries formal probation terms and community labor (NO JAIL time).

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