James was charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a 3rd Degree Felony carrying the possibility of up to 10 years imprisonment upon conviction. James had a lifetime duty to register as a sex offender following an incident that occurred in 1988 involving the aggravated sexual assault of a minor.
The prosecutor assigned to the case was unwilling to offer any agreed plea resolution other than 4 years confinement in state prison. With this as our only option, James decided to entrust our law firm to argue his case to the judge and ask for probation. At the hearing the assistant district attorney called witnesses to discredit James and to portray him as a danger to society. During our presentation we called members of James’ family, and as our final witness, James himself. We urged the court to consider the positive accomplishments James had earned throughout his life, including his roles as father, son, husband and business owner.
Following a 3 hour hearing during which both sides vigorously advocated their positions, the judge asked James to rise to receive his sentence. James was granted probation and was allowed to leave the courthouse with his family. With the help of our law firm his ordeal was finally behind him.