Helping Good People Regain Control of Their Future
When Charged With a Crime
March 2020 eNewsletter Issue no. 40
San Diego Courts Closed: March 17-April 3. Now What? Coronavirus and how the Firm is here to help, whether in person, by phone, by email, by video conference, et al.
It’s on your mind and it’s on ours. So let’s talk about the Coronavirus and what that means for you and for us.  San Diego criminal courts will be closed March 17 through April 3. If you have court scheduled during that time, your hearings will be continued by the court to a future date at least 30 days out. We will all be notified of the new date(s) in the coming weeks. 
 
Make no mistake about it, unless things change drastically, the Firm is not planning to close our doors. While others may be inclined to lay low and abandon their clients during this uncertain time, we will continue to help those facing criminal charges regain control of their future. The Firm shall, as best as possible, continue on with life and business as normal, taking smart and logical precautions for your safety, and ours. We will be viewing the next few weeks as an opportunity to continue to improve our internal systems and procedures and will begin embarking on new projects. 

We know the media reports about the virus can be overwhelming, so here is the official site for updates from the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
 
What can we do?  Standard recommendations to prevent infection include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs, and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. In other words, pretty standard stuff. However, in an abundance of caution and to help protect all of us, the Firm has established extra safety measures at our office: (1) We’re working with our overnight cleaning crew to increase sanitation and disinfection programs across all high-volume touchpoints like surfaces, handrails, washrooms, entrances/exits, public touch-screens, along with the use of correct cleaning/sanitizing materials and products; and (2) there are sanitizing and disinfection materials for our staff, clients and visitors, all around the Firm.
 
Obviously, if you believe you have contracted the virus please seek immediate medical attention. We can move your appointment until you are well, and/or convert our necessary meeting to a phone conference.  If you are already at high-risk of health complications from viral infection, we strongly encourage you to speak to your health care providers and follow their recommendations.
Firm’s Client Avoids 19-Year Prison Sentence After Hung Jury at Trial
We are pleased to announce another favorable trial result the Firm was able to obtain for one of its clients. David P. Shapiro was successful, after a 7-day trial, in avoiding a conviction at trial for our client on March 10 at the South Bay Courthouse in Chula Vista. Our client, now 20 years old, was charged when she was 19 with entering the United States with over 22 kilograms of methamphetamine in her vehicle. The client adamantly denied knowledge of the drugs in her car, despite some concerning circumstantial evidence found in the client’s cell phone. The District Attorney’s best offer was a stipulated 8-year prison sentence. The client rejected that proposed resolution and the matter proceeded to trial, after which the jury informed the judge that it was “hopelessly deadlocked,” and could not reach a unanimous verdict. A re-trial is currently scheduled for late Spring.
3500 Fifth Ave., Suite 304
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619-295-3555
Contact Us 24/7
This newsletter is for meant for informational and marketing purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice. Viewing and/or use of the newsletter, including sending email or submission of forms, does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. Any endorsement, testimonial or other statement contained in or referred to in this newsletter is not a guarantee, a warranty or a prediction of a particular result in your case. David P. Shapiro and Stefano L. Molea are active members of the State Bar of California and are admitted to practice law in any and all California state courts and in the Southern District of California federal courts.