If you are charged with a violent crime, such as murder, make sure you speak to Ms. Dodson regarding your case before you speak with law enforcement.  The police want you to talk.  They pride themselves on getting suspects to talk.  The police, however, are not on your side.  Regardless of how friendly and innocuous they appear, their goal is pinning charges on you.  Ms. Dodson is on your side.  Her intervention in your case can make the difference between no charges against you, or spending the rest of your life in prison.  Ms. Dodson has years of experience in handling these types of cases and has an excellent track record for winning.

Since violent felonies usually involve the victim being present when the crime took place, witness identifications are usually a direct issue.  Hiring Ms. Dodson at the early stage of the charges is crucial.  This is because she will want to require a live line-up if there is any chance the witness’s identification is shaky.  If this is not done in the early stages of the case, a preliminary hearing will be conducted.  This means that the witnesses will testify in court.  Since the defendant will be present in court, and the prosecutor will ask the witness if they recognize the defendant, there will be no question in the witness’s mind that the accused, sitting at the defense table, is the one who committed the offense.  Forcing a witness to pick a defendant out of several people of the same race and similar build, however, will often cause the witness to pick out someone else other than the accused.  This misidentification can lead to reasonable doubt at trial.

Often, the victim may know the accused.  Therefore, a live line-up will not help the defense.  In those cases, however, it is still essential to hire a good defense attorney immediately.  A thorough investigation will often reveal that the witness is biased, prejudiced, or tainted in a way that will also raise reasonable doubt.  This investigation needs to begin as soon as possible. 

Recent Victories:

Conspiracy to Commit Murder– Client was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder and faced life in prison without the possibility of parole.  Ms. Dodson spoke with the district attorney’s office before charges were filed and her client was released that day and no charges were ever filed against him.

Conspiracy to Commit Murder– After several, lengthy court appearances and discussions with the district attorney, Ms. Dodson managed to get the entire case dismissed against her client.  She was released and is now at home living happily with her family.

Attempted Murder– Client was charged with three counts of Attempted Murder, Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling, and Shooting at a Vehicle.  There were also several gang enhancements, firearm enhancements, and violent and serious felony enhancements.  After a trial, the jury found Ms. Dodson’s client “NOT GUILTY” of all charges against him.  He was released from custody and free to live his life.

Attempted Murder– Client was arrested for Murder in connection with a gang shooting.  Ms. Dodson was retained immediately following the arrest of client.  Ms. Dodson took witness statements right away and found an alibi witness for client.  She intervened with police interviews and spoke with the filing district attorney.  No charges were ever filed against client and he was released from custody 2 days after his arrest.

Felony Kidnapping– Client was charged with Kidnapping and Felony Domestic Violence.  He faced 9 years in State Prison.  After Ms. Dodson defended him at the preliminary hearing, the judge dismissed the kidnapping charge and reduced the domestic violence charge to a misdemeanor.  After the preliminary hearing, the district attorney offered a sentence of community service and reduced the domestic violence charge to a misdemeanor assault.

Three Strikes Law

Felonies that are considered serious or violent are considered strikes in California.  Having a strike on your record is a grim matter.  If you are charged with a crime that qualifies as a strike, it is essential to hire a lawyer who has the skills and experience to defend you against it.  Ms. Dodson has helped several clients avoid convictions that would otherwise be strikes on her clients’ records. 

Recent Victory– Client was charged with Criminal Threats as a felony, a strike offense, Battery with Injury on a Police Officer, Resisting a Peace Officer Causing Serious Bodily, and Resisting an Executive Officer.  Client was facing a possible sentence of ten years in state prison and incurring a strike on his record.  After several court dates and intense plea negotiations with the district attorney, Ms. Dodson managed get the strike offense reduced to a misdemeanor, so her client will have no strike on his record.  Furthermore, two charges were dismissed and her client was sentenced to a mere 90 days in the county jail.  The district attorney also agreed to have the remaining felony reduced to a misdemeanor after 18 months.

If you already have a strike on your record, the strike can be used for enhancing your sentence.  Many crimes that would result in probationary sentences can cause a person to receive state prison if they have prior strikes.  With one strike, your sentence could be doubled for any felony.  With two strikes on a person’s record, any felony could result in a sentence of 25 years to life.  Even non-violent felonies, such as Petty Theft, or Possession of a Controlled Substance, could send a person to state prison.