J.M. was headed to Gainesville one fall night with some “friends” and ended up being arrested for trafficking a kilogram of cocaine after a traffic stop on the interstate just outside of town. He faced a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a deeply conservative prosecution office. The local cops swore he was in on the deal and that they had corroborating evidence to prove it. They said it was an open and shut case. Furthermore, the detective and prosecutor wanted J.M. to cooperate and provide an interview describing the cocaine distribution ring. To make matters worse, the cops lied to J.M. and said that the other occupants of the car had already pointed a finger at him. J.M. refused any such suggestion and demanded a lawyer.
Nicholas Matassini was retained and quickly instructed the firm’s private investigator to dig up information on all involved – the case was dismissed before formal charges were filed. The defense information revealed multiple people in on the deal and scant evidence connecting J.M. to the package found in the car in which he was a passenger other than his mere proximity to the narcotics. Additionally, the cops knew J.M. had only just caught a ride up to Gainesville and wasn’t involved in the operation – yet they still arrested him for trafficking.
Life was still not back on track for J.M. even after the charges were dismissed, as the case still showed up on his background checks. And the dismissal was difficult for him to explain to potential employers and apartment complex managers. Matassini Law stepped in to help again and ensured the record was expunged from his criminal history and that J.M. had a letter from the law office explaining the case’s outcome, the lack of evidence, and how it was dismissed.