Case Results
Dismissals
Conspiracy to Commit Murder
Lauren’s client, a Salvadorian immigrant, was accused of not only belonging to the notorious MS-13 gang, but also to have conspired to commit murder in aid of racketeering. The government accused him of conspiring with three other gang members to kill a rival gang member in connection with their membership in MS-13. Discovery was voluminous, and her client faced up to ten years in federal prison. Lauren was able to secure a team of discovery experts to facilitate discovery review for all of the other 7 co-defendants. She believed her client, never backing down when the government tried to convince her he was lying. After much persistence, diligent trial preparation, and continued belief in her client’s innocence, Lauren was able to secure a dismissal prior to trial.
Tax Fraud
Lauren’s client, an IRS employee, was charged with theft of government funds. The government accused her client of stealing tax return money. She faced up to ten years in federal prison. After diligently reviewing all of the evidence, subpoenaing bank records, meeting with her client’s union representative, and gearing up for trial, Lauren was able to get all her client’s charges dismissed.
Sentencing Mitigation
Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
After federal agents discovered Lauren’s client was responsible for trafficking hundreds of kilos of cocaine and coordinating the transportation of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drug proceeds, the government charged him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The client’s recommended guideline range was 168 to 210 months. (See Federal Sentencing Guidelines ). After careful review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the case, countless discussions with the client and the government, Lauren was able to secure a plea deal, capping him at 30 months’ imprisonment.
Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
Lauren’s client was a 19-year-old high school student, charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin. He admitted to transporting narcotics from Mexico and Laredo to Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas. He faced up to 20 years in federal prison, with a recommended guideline range of 70-87 months in prison. Lauren listened to his story and traveled to Laredo to speak with her client’s teacher, his employer, and his family members. After relentless work on her part to prepare for sentencing, she convinced the judge, over the government’s objection, to sentence him to 24 months’ probation.
Felon in Possession
The feds became interested in Lauren’s client when he was arrested for possessing a gun and drugs on three separate occasions within less than two years. His recommended guideline range was 51 to 63 months. Lauren conducted an in-depth investigation into her client’s childhood to discover that he used drugs to cope with anxiety stemming from his severe childhood trauma. She connected him with a local nonprofit, specializing in addiction recovery, and secured a spot for him in their 9-month residential boot camp upon release. At sentencing, she convinced the judge to impose probation including a condition that he attend the 9-month recovery program as an alternative to incarceration.
Sex Trafficking
Lauren’s client—a 19-year-old woman—was accused of sex trafficking a minor, a crime with a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. After her first few meetings with her client, it became apparent that her client was a victim of trafficking herself and not a perpetrator. Lauren was able to convince the government of this and secure a plea agreement for a misdemeanor prostitution count with a sentence of probation. In addition, Lauren connected her client with a local nonprofit that specialized in assisting women getting out of the sex industry.
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