While there are many considerations when selecting a defense attorney, the only reason that matters in the end is achieving a successful result for your case. Our entire group has been designed and organized around this single purpose. We are extremely proud of our past track record and remain as focused as ever on building our reputation as one of the most successful sex crimes defense groups in the nation.
The following is a small sample of our most recent case results. Each of these cases is a real Premier Defense Group client, and the results are typical of what we have accomplished over the past few years.
While every case is different, and we cannot predict the future result of your case, we can say with confidence that we routinely exceed our clients’ expectations and stun the prosecution with our preparation. If you are facing the possibility of a criminal prosecution, do not hesitate to call us immediately. We look forward to the opportunity of protecting you, your family and your freedom.
As of October 2011
Maryland Man Accused of Sexual Abuse: Not Guilty All Counts
State: Maryland
Court: Circuit Court for Prince George’s County
Case Name: State v. D.W.
Judge: Serrette
Trial Date: October 11, 2011
Co-counsel: None
Result: Not Guilty (Jury Verdict) – All 5 Counts: Custodial abuse, object penetration, attempted object penetration, improper touching and assault
Case Comments: Our client was accused of putting a light bulb his son’s anus. The son gave numerous contradictions on cross-examination. We had the light bulb examined: it was negative for fecal matter, and the police technician testified for the defense. We also had a gastroenterologist who had conducted 55,000 anal exams over 35 years testify that the nurse’s test for sphincter tone was bogus.
Pennsylvania Client Charged with Felony Sex Crimes – No Megan’s Law Plea
State: Pennsylvania
Court: Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County
Case Name: Commonwealth v. J.B.
Judge: McDaniel
Trial Date: April 25, 2011
Co-counsel: David Shrager
Result: Nolo Contendere Misdemeanor Plea: No Megan’s Law
Case Comments: Our client was accused of having sexual contact with a 7-year old girl while at the child’s mother’s residence. Despite passing a police-administered polygraph, he was charged with 1st degree and 2nd degree felonies. At his first scheduled trial the prosecution offered our client a plea, but one that was unacceptable to him and us. The trial was postponed. We were then offered a plea the week before his second scheduled trial: no jail time, no Megan’s Law registry, and a nolo contendere plea. While we firmly believed in our client’s factual innocence and were eager to prove this in court, the plea was an acceptable alternative.
Pennsylvania Man Accused of Groping: Not Guilty All Counts
State: Pennsylvania
Court: Court of Common Pleas for York County
Case Name: Commonwealth v. G.Z.
Judge: Kelley
Trial Date: February 9-11, 2011
Co-counsel: Autumn Walden
Result: Not Guilty – All Counts (Jury Verdict)
Case Comments: Our client was gay. He was accused of groping a much bigger and stronger 17-year old athlete in the locker room of a public gym. Testimony from the prosecution’s own witnesses contradicted not only the complainant but also each other.
Vermont Client Charged with Molestation: All Charges Dismissed
State: Vermont
Court: Superior Court, Washington Criminal Division
Case Name: State v. D.F.
Judge: Not Assigned
Trial Date: January 6, 2011
Co-counsel: Lisa Shelkrot
Result: Dismissed prior to trial
Case Comments: The Complainant was a special-needs student who had been transported by our client. His lack of credibility was established when the investigation showed that he had made previous unfounded complaints against others.
Maryland Sex Abuse Case Nolle Prosequi on Morning of Trial
State: Maryland
Court: Circuit Court for Baltimore City
Case Name: State v. B.E.
Judge: Not Assigned
Trial Date: December 15, 2010
Co-counsel: Charlotte Weinstein
Result: Entered Nolle Prosequi on morning of trial
Case Comments: Defense pointed out that the charges were inconsistent with the (i) police investigation, (ii) statements made to the social worker and (iii) the grand jury presentation. Case dismissed when a detailed letter questioned prosecutorial ethics and threatened outside intervention.
Virginia 4-Year Old Barred From Testifying: Not Guilty All Counts
State: Virginia
Court: Circuit Court for Suffolk County
Case Name: Commonwealth v. D.H.
Judge: Eason
Trial Date: October 2010
Co-counsel: Melinda Glaubke
Result: Not Guilty – All Counts (Jury Verdict)
Case Comments: The complainant was only 4 years old. The judge found her testimony unreliable and did not permit her to testify. The prosecution proceeded without the child’s testimony, attempting to rely on our client’s purported statement to the police.
No Medical Evidence: Not Guilty All Counts
State: Maryland
Court: Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County
Case Name: State v. T.S.
Judge: North
Trial Date: September 2010
Co-counsel: Charlotte Weinstein
Result: Not Guilty – All Counts (Jury Verdict)
Case Comments: Father accused of abusing his 2 teenage daughters at the same time. There was no medical evidence to support the allegations. Pediatrician and therapist testified for the defense. Allegations arose during a divorce case and only after the children were sent to Florida to visit the wife’s family
Pennsylvania Vindictive Girlfriend: Not Guilty All Counts
State: Pennsylvania
Court: Court of Common Pleas for York County
Case Name: Commonwealth v. R.Z.
Judge: Kennedy
Trial Date: August 2010
Co-counsel: Jerry Lord
Result: Not Guilty – All Counts (Jury Verdict)
Case Comments: Allegations of sexual abuse of the teenage daughter of our client’s girlfriend made when the relationship ended. Along with many photographs, defense presented testimony of independent witnesses who observed the interaction with the complainant and our client.
Not Guilty Jury Verdict To All 9 Sexual Abuse Counts In 7-Year Old Case
State: Pennsylvania
Court: Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County
Case Name: Commonwealth v. Donald H. Stettner
Judge: Sasinoski
Trial Date: March 2010 (17-day trial)
Co-counsel: Timothy Lucas
Result: Not Guilty – All 9 Counts (Jury Verdict)
Case Comments:
In Pittsburgh, PA a school psychologist was accused of anally raping his adopted son approximately 300 to 600 times when the young man was between 9 and 17 years of age. The son did not go to the police until 2002, more that 5 years after the alleged abuse ended. Our client was arrested on January 22, 2003. The son also accused his natural mother of sexual abuse. The mother denied any abuse on her part when testifying for the prosecution and against her husband during the trial. The case spanned 16 days from jury selection until jury verdict and was not concluded until March 19, 2010, over 7 years after the arrest.
Attorneys Tom Pavlinic and Tim Lucas tried the case together and presented the testimony of many fact witnesses as well as the expert testimony of a gastroenterologist to describe what anal-rectal medical findings would have been associated with the alleged abuse. There were no medical findings, and the complainant refused to submit to a voluntary medical examination.
Because of the bizarre nature of the allegations, the relentless prosecution to which he was subjected and the negative impact this ordeal has had on his life, our client has authorized us to share his traumatic experience with you. To learn more details about this terrible injustice Google: Dr. Donald Stettner, school psychologist, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Vindictive Divorcee: Allegations of Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Unfounded: Not Guilty All Counts
State: Delaware
Court: Superior Court for Sussex County
Case Name: State v. R.P.
Judge: Graves
Trial Date: December 2009
Co-counsel: Kate Aaronson
Result: Not Guilty – All Counts (Jury Verdict)
Comments: Allegations of spousal rape that were made along with allegations of child sex abuse during a divorce case.
Unreliability of Child Complainant: Not Guilty All Counts
State: Virginia
Court: Circuit Court for Lancaster County
Case Name: Commonwealth v. T.C.
Judge: Talifero
Trial Date: September 2009
Co-counsel: Jud Collier (Lead Counsel)
Result: Not Guilty – All Counts (Jury Verdict)
Comments: Complainant was only 6 years old. Defense challenged competency due to suggestion, but the court permitted the child to testify. Cross examination established the unreliability of the allegations.
Post Conviction Petition Leads to 50-Year Sentence Being Vacated
A DE man was convicted of two child sex abuse counts that resulted in a 50-year sentence. The client was guilty of lesser offenses but convicted of much more serious charges. Tom Pavlinic and Kate Aaronson were retained to obtain post conviction relief. An analysis of the evidence showed that the trial attorney failed to challenge the competency of a 4-year old child whose testimony was “tainted” by suggestion.
After the post conviction petition was filed, trial counsel was presented with the affidavit of the psychologist retained to provide expert testimony on suggestion. To his credit, trial counsel admitted that he was ineffective for failing to understand and raise the competency challenge and submitted an affidavit to support the petition. Tom and Kate were able to have the old 50-year sentence vacated and structured a plea that resulted in a new 10-year sentence. Kate Aaronson deserves the credit for maneuvering this delicate case so deftly through the criminal justice system.
Not Guilty Verdict for Virginia Dentist in Court Trial
A Fairfax, VA dentist was accused of the sexual assault of a teenage girl who visited his home while his entire family as well as hers were there for a social engagement. On the morning of trial, the prosecutor dropped the sex assault count and pursued the case only as a simple assault hoping to increase his chances for a conviction. The court found our client not guilty. Tom Pavlinic and Kim Irving tried this case together.
4-Hour Jury Deliberation Results in Not Guilty Verdicts on All 6 Counts
A Maryland man who moved to York, PA with his girlfriend and her 3 children was accused by the girlfriend’s 12-year old daughter of indecent sexual assault, a crime that carries a 10-year minimum, mandatory term of incarceration. Our client’s family and friends aggressively rallied behind him to provide both emotional and financial support.
After a 3-day jury trial in which the defense presented the testimony of nearly a dozen fact and character witnesses, introduced many photographs as exhibits and utilized a power point presentation during closing argument, the jury entered not guilty verdicts on all 6 counts after 4 hours of deliberation. Tom Pavlinic acted as lead counsel and tried the case with local York County attorney, Jerry Lord.
Spousal Rape: Not Guilty Jury Verdict (First Trial)
In Georgetown, DE a former husband was accused by his wife of spousal rape that allegedly occurred years before. The charges were only filed when the wife learned that her husband had introduced their children to his new girlfriend. The client was facing a minimum mandatory term of 30 years incarceration. The jury returned a not guilty verdict on both counts after only 55 minutes of deliberation. Tom Pavlinic and Kate Aaronson tried the case together.
Child Sexual Abuse: Not Guilty Jury Verdict
In Lancaster, VA the husband of a day care provider was accused of touching one of the children for whom the wife was providing day care. The defense requesed a taint hearing that was only partially granted by the court. The case was favorably concluded with a not guilty jury verdict. Jud Colliers was the lead attorney. Tom Pavlinic served as co-counsel and conducted the cross-examination of the minor children.
Rape: Not Guilty Jury Verdict
A Virginia police officer and a number of his colleagues went to Ocean City, MD to celebrate a bachelor party. While at one of the local nightclubs, the officer met and shared drinks with a young lady. She went back to his hotel, and they engaged in sexual intercourse. She claimed rape; he maintained it was consensual. The case proceeded to a jury trial. Evidence lifted by the defense team off of a MySpace account was shown to the jury. The officer was found not guilty on all counts. Tom Pavlinic and Charlotte Weinstein tried the case together.
Child Sexual Abuse: Case Dismissed
A man previously convicted of child sexual abuse was charged in Virginia Beach, VA with having abused the 4-year old twins of his girl friend. The allegations were brought by the girl friend’s former husband in the context of a custody matter. Experts were retained to show that the twins’ statements to social workers were the product of suggestion. Case was dismissed on all counts before trial. Tom Pavlinic and Melinda Glaubke worked the criminal case together. Melinda followed through and won a dismissal of all civil findings at an appellate adminstrative hearing.
Sexual Abuse: Case Dismissed
A sailor in Norfolk, VA was charged with having sexually abused the 5-year old daughter of a shipmate. The defense requested and received permission from the court to conduct a full “taint” hearing to establish that the child’s statements were the product of suggesttion. At a hearing that was scheduled for November 2009, the prosecution offered a misdemeanor plea which was accepted without any jail time or sexual abuse registry. Tom Pavlinic and Melinda Glaubke handled this case of first impression together.
Child Molestation: Not Guilty Jury Verdict, Other Charges Dismissed
In Annapolis, MD a 19-year old was tried for having repeatedly molested his 2 younger step-brothers. The charges were severed for trial. The first trial resulted in a not guilty verdict on the most serious charges and a hung jury on the remaining ones. Defense presented evidence from a dozen witnesses to refute the timeline that the prosecution tried to establish. After the first verdict, all of the remaining charges in the first trial as well as the charges brought by the other child were dismissed. Tom Pavlinic and Charlotte Weinstein tried the case together.
Possession of Child Pornography: Full Acquittal
A man in Bristol, VA was accused of having possessed hundreds of images of child pornography. Extensive cross examination of the Commonwealth’s “expert” resulted in the court granting a motion for judgment of acquittal at the end of the prosecutor’s case. The defense did not have to present any evidence. Tom Pavlinic and Jeff Coale handled the defense.
Child Sexual Abuse: All Charges Dropped
In Georgetown, DE the State indicted a father for having sexually abused his four-year old daughter. It was obvious to the defense that the former wife was behind the charges. Defense filed an extensive expert affidavit pointing out that the child had been coached. The criminal charges were dropped, and the case was resolved in the family law court. Tom Pavlinic and Kate Aaronson worked the case together.
Sexual Abuse: Full Acquittal
A 9-day trial in Martinsburg, WV resulted in a court decision that cleared the father of any sex abuse of his daughter in an abuse and neglect action brought by the former wife. The defense was able to undermine the credibility of the wife’s so-called expert and presented credible expert testimony upon which the court relied. Tom Pavlinic was lead counsel, and Jeff Burcham served as local counsel. Kirk Bottner was the court-appointed GAL.
Accusation of Date Rape: Dismissed at Preliminary Hearing
A sailor in Stafford, VA was accused of a date rape. Prior to the preliminary hearing, the defense team interviewed all of the independent witnesses. When the alleged victim was cross examined, her credibility was attacked beyond reahabilitation. The court refused to find probable cause, and no charges were formally brought. This early end to the prosecution was brought about by the collective efforts of Tom Pavlinic and Kimberly Irving.
Child Molestation: Reduced to Misdemeanor
A member of the U.S. Naval Academy band in Annapolis, MD was accused of having molested his neighbor’s daughter. On the day of trial the prosecution offered a plea to a misdemeanor count, no jail time, no criminal record and no listing on the sexual registry. The plea was accepted with no risk to the client. Attorneys Tom Pavlinic and Charlotte Weinstein worked every aspect of the case together.
Child Abuse: Not Guilty Jury Verdict, Dismissal of Other Charges
A Baltimore, MD school teacher was accused of having sexually abused foster children for whom he and his wife were caring. The first trial resulted in a not guilty verdict on all counts after a 3-day jury trial. The second case was dismissed with no trial. A civil action brought against the teacher was also dismissed with prejudice. Tom Pavlinic and Rowe Stayton handled the defense.
Third Degree Sexual Abuse: Favorable Plea
In Upper Marlboro, MD, the state charged a Marine with attempted second degree sexual abuse of a 3-year old. A careful analysis of the evidence revealed that only a third degree charge was appropriate. The client admitted his involvement in a video taped statement to the police. A favorable plea was finally negotiated, eliminating the harsh consequences of a second degree conviction. Tom Pavlinic handled the case, and Charlotte Weinstein helped with the preparation.
Child Abuse: Judgment of Acquittal
In Rockville, MD a foreign national was accused of having abused a special needs child on a school bus. The judge denied the defense request for a full competency/taint hearing. At the trial, however, the child was unable to testify, and the defense was able to block the admission into evidence of alleged statements made by the child to her mother and social workers. The case ended with a dismissal of the charges on a motion for Judgment of Acquittal. Tom Pavlinic handled the defense, and Charlotte Weinstein prepared the research.
Child Sexual Abuse: Appeal Pending
A young man was convicted on sexual offenses against his neighbor’s daughters in Towson, MD. During the trial there was confusion about the dates of the alleged abuse. Evidence showed that the abuse could not have occurred during the time frame charged. To clear up this ambiguity, the defense requested the “unanimous jury instruction,” which the trial judge refused to give. The Maryland Court of Appeals granted a Petition for Writ of Certioari on this important issue of first impression. Tom Pavlinic will argue the case before the appellate panel later this year.
Conviction of Child Molestation: New Law Made on Appeal!
A conviction of a father in Wilkes Barre, PA led to an appeal on the issue of whether suggestions made to young children “tainted” their testimony. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a favorable opinion as a matter of first impression on this issue. Tom Pavlinic and Mark Mack represented the client at the trial and on appeal.
Civil Suit Over Child Abuse: Case Dismissed
In New Jersey, an adult son sued his parents for alleged sexual abuse that he claimed occurred decades ago and that he only recently “remembered.” After extensive pre-trial discovery and the involvement of experts, the case was dismissed with prejudice. This means that the case cannot be refiled. Pat Jennings has extensive expertise in federal criminal and civil litigation. Tom Pavlinic retained the experts and served as co-counsel on this case.
Accusation of Sexual Abuse: No Charges Filed
In Cleveland, OH a former wife accused her husband of sexually abusing their daughter. No criminal charges were brought. The family court concluded from the evidence that no abuse had taken place. The wife’s “expert” was completely discredited. Heather Dyer and Tom Pavlinic handled this case.
Date Rape in DC: Not Guilty Verdict in Judge Trial
An employee of a prominent Washington, DC law firm was originally charged with rape. Prosecutors dropped that count but pressed for a conviction on a lesser offense that did not afford the client the right to a jury trial. Tom Pavlinic and Charles Shaffer tried this case before a judge and won a not guilty verdict.
Sex Abuse Charges: Dropped After Arrest
An uncle was charged in Washington, DC with having sexually abused his sister’s sons. After his arrest, the defense team scrutinized the evidence carefully and took the rare and unusual step of permitting the client to be interviewed by the prosecutor. As a result of that strategy, all the charges against the client were dropped. Tom Pavlinic and Richard Finci collaborated on the effort that brought about this favorable conclusion.
Accusations of Child Sex Abuse: No Charges Brought
In New Jersey, a grandfather was accused of sexually molesting his granddaughter. The child’s mother was pushing to have charges brought. The attorneys interceded with law enforcement and no charges were filed. Tom Pavlinic and Jim Wronko collaborated on this case.
Multiple Counts of Child Sex Abuse: Appeal Pending
In Stroudsburg, PA a man was convicted of multiple counts of child sex abuse against neighborhood children. The most serious count was attacked by the defense team in a post-trial motion as being insufficient under the law. This is a proceeding that permits the judge to overturn the jury and strike the conviction. This issue has been preserved and is now being argued on appeal. Tom Pavlinic and Robert Reno comprised the defense team.
Boyfriend Charged with Sex Abuse: Plea Negotiated for No Jail Time
In Rockville, MD a client admittedly touched his girlfriend’s minor daughter. The defense was able to rally the family and friends to speak on our client’s behalf. A plea was arranged that spared the client any jail time. He received straight probation. Tom Pavlinic and Maria Mena represented this Spanish-speaking client.
First Degree Child Rape: No Jail, No Public Registration Plea (Second Trial)
In Georgetown, DE, our client had been previously found not guilty of spousal rape. The allegations that his former spouse made about the rape of their daughter were severed for trial. This offense carries a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment in DE. The defense filed a motion attacking the interview protocol employed by law enforcement when taking statements from minor children and asking that the child be precluded from testifying. After the hearing, the prosecution offered a plea to a lesser of no jail time and no public registration. Tom Pavlinic and Kate Aaronson continued their joint representation.
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800-993-0632 to speak with an experienced attorney 24 hours per day. We are ready to help.
