Case Studies in Criminal Defense

Angelica fought the power for her unhoused client arguing that merely existing is not a crime. Angelica challenged Austin’s Camping Ban. Even though her client only faced the lowest misdemeanor level charge, for him it meant everything. Her work forced the City of Austin to face the problem head on.

• https://www.kxan.com/news/local/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-homeless-law-appeal-how-it-impacts-austin/
• https://www.kut.org/austin/2018-10-12/austin-ordinance-banning-homeless-camps-challenged-in-court
• https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/10/29/austin-camping-ban-arrests-covid-revise-soon/8538360002/
• https://www.kut.org/austin/2019-09-17/council-members-offer-revised-plan-that-phases-in-restrictions-on-camping-or-resting-in-public
• https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/texas-governor-pardons-uber-driver-murder-b2546472.html

Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma – We took a fight against the governor’s Operation Lonestar program for our migrant client. The case is still open, but we argued all the way to the highest criminal court in TX. See minute 46:58

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0C-_krS4Io
• https://abcnews.go.com/US/migrants-arrest-operation-lone-star-ruled-unconstitutional/story?id=82266611
• https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/operation-lone-star-legal-challenge/
• https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/migrants-arrest-operation-lone-star-ruled-unconstitutional-82266611
• https://theintercept.com/2022/01/26/texas-greg-abbott-operation-lone-star/
• https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/He-called-Operation-Lone-Star-a-waste-and-17604278.php
• https://www.univision.com/noticias/inmigracion/jueza-inconstitucional-operacion-estrella-solitaria-texas-arrestos-inmigrantes
• Addy interview with Telemundo in Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEzZTxR8ICU
• More Telemundo news in Spanish: https://www.telemundo.com/noticias/noticias-telemundo/inmigracion/jueza-declara-inconstitucional-el-encarcelamiento-de-un-migrante-en-te-rcna12167
• More in Spanish: https://enlacelatinonc.org/una-juez-dictamino-hoy-jueves-que-la-operacion-estrella-solitaria-lanzada-el-ano-pasado-por-el-gobernador-de-texas-greg-abbott-para-combatir-la-llegada-de-migrantes-indocumentados-a-traves-de-la-fr/

Our client acted in self-defense when he shot his very abusive family member’s boyfriend. We had his life on our hands as an innocent person who was left with no choice. We presented a complete and innovative defense that included testimony of an amazing expert who explained how the levels of cortisol in fight or flight affect neurodivergent persons in a different way.

Client falsely accused by a troubled pre-teen. We were able to prove that it was a false accusation through a key witness. The complainant testified that after the alleged incident she immediately told a family member. We called the family member to the stand through Zoom and she testified that she was in a different country at that time. We had receipts (I mean, exhibits). We introduced her passport into evidence. Not Guilty

Murder – Travis County – Significantly low sentence (3 years) – plea deal after jury trial where it was evident that it was going to be a hung jury

• Our client accidentally shot his partner of 20 years during an argument. The prosecutor insisted that he did this on purpose. We showed the jury how this was not the case at all. The jury sent out nine notes with diagrams and questions. It was clear that there was reasonable doubt in the minds of some jurors, while a few others

Client shot a gang member who was harassing him. Jury found him not guilty and that he acted in self-defense.

Client accused of continuously molesting a child in his family. We went to trial and brought up all the inconsistencies in the facts alleged. We used experts to explain why children sometimes lie about being abused. The jury agreed and found him not guilty. Our client was facing a 25 year minimum sentence.

We were brought on to try a kidnapping case in federal court where our client was facing life in prison. The jury acquitted him of the kidnapping charges. Our thorough investigation revealed that our client was somewhere else and was not part of any conspiracy.