November 16, 2010

• Steven Topazio wrote this April 27, 2014 at 11:38 am

The defendant, a senior at Xaverian Brothers High School, was at a house party where the police arrived and found the defendant and others with party amounts of alcohol, received a citation from the court for the issuance of a criminal complaint, hired Attorney Topazio to represent him. Attorney Topazio contacted the prosecuting police officer in an attempt to mediate the matter, pointing out that his client stayed to confront police when they arrived, while others who were present at the party fled and thus avoided prosecution. Attorney Topazio pointed out the inequity of the situation to the officer. A consequence of not fleeing the police resulted in his client now having to deal with the ramifications of a criminal charge and a possible CORI entry if the criminal complaint issued, and the possibility of the denial of Federal financial aid for his client who planned on going to college, while the individuals who fled were rewarded by not having to face the consequences of their actions. Attorney Topazio instructed his client to obtain letters of recommendation to establish his client’s good character and to highlight his leadership qualities in preparation for the hearing. Today, Attorney Topazio, as a result of his experience and understanding the hearing process, persuaded the Clerk Magistrate not to issue the complaint against his client.