Criminal Defense Case Results

Attorney: Katherine Aranda

After an argument with his girlfriend, our client was arrested for misdemeanor battery and felony burglary with battery. Pursuant to Florida Statute § 810.02(2)(a), the crime of felony burglary with battery is punishable by life in prison. After completing an initial investigation, attorney Katherine Aranda spoke with the alleged victim who did not want the case prosecuted. After explaining the alleged victim’s wishes to the prosecutor and pointing out other problems with the case, our attorney convinced the prosecutor not to file any formal charge. As a result, the case was dismissed on June 10, 2026.

In January of 2026, our client was arrested for “battery domestic” under Florida Statute Section 784.03, a first degree misdemeanor, by a deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. At the first appearance hearing the next morning, before we were retained, the Court imposed a “no contact” provision that prevented our client from returning to her home, seeing her husband (who was the alleged victim), or her child (who was present for the incident). Instead, the Court only allowed our client a “one time residential visit in the presence of law enforcement for retrieval of personal belongings.” Shortly after being released from jail, the client hired Katherine Aranda, an attorney at Sammis Law Firm. Ms. Aranda requested that the client take an “anger management” course and be careful not to violate the “no contact” provision. Ms. Aranda investigated the case and presented favorable evidence to the State Attorney’s Office showing that no crime occurred and the alleged victim did not want to prosecute. Although the State Attorney’s Office wanted us to send a written waiver of speedy trial which might have delayed the case, we refused since our client had already completed the Anger Management court. A motion to modify the “no contact” provision was filed, although Judge Holly Grissinger denied that motion since our client had not taken the longer 26-week batterers intervention program course and submitted to a mental health evaluation. Nevertheless, a few day later, the State Attorney’s Office filed a “no information” on February 5, 2026 that dropped the case. At that moment, the “no contact” provision terminated, allowing our client to return home and begin the process of petitioning the court to expunge the case since she had no prior record and was otherwise eligible.

Assigned Attorney: Josh Monteiro

We were contacted about a person sitting in jail after being removed from a domestic violence diversion program for failing to complete the original requirements. After being retained, we negotiated with the prosecutor at the State Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County, FL, to have our client reaccepted into the program and secured her release from custody.

The client then completed the program successfully, and the charge was dismissed on July 10, 2025. The case ended without a conviction and without the matter remaining on her record.

Assigned Attorney: Josh Monteiro

Our client and their partner were both arrested after a public argument. We obtained drop affidavits from both parties and presented them to the State. As neither party wished to prosecute, the State dismissed the case, recognizing it as a mutual misunderstanding.

Our client was initially arrested for Domestic Violence Battery on January 4, 2024, in Pinellas County. Attorney Idalis Vento contacted the State Attorney’s Office prior to charges being filed. The alleged victim was cooperative in not wanting charges to be filed and signed a notarized “Drop Affidavit” saying as much. Ms. Vento filed the Drop Affidavit and presented other mitigating information to the State. The State elected not to file charges against the client on February 6, 2024, filing a “No Information.”

Our client was originally arrested for Battery and Domestic Battery by Strangulation on March 8, 2024, in Hillsborough County. Ms. Vento contacted the State Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County shortly after the arrest. In communicating with the State, Ms. Vento realized there were discrepancies between what was reported to law enforcement, what was told to the prosecutor, and what the alleged victim was saying on social media. Ms. Vento provided the prosecutor with copies of the alleged victim’s social media statements, proving the discrepancies. The State elected not to file formal charges against the client on March 27, 2024, allowing our client to move on with his life free of any domestic violence or felony charges.

Our client was charged with battery after an incident involving a long-standing conflict between the victim and our client’s son. We provided evidence that the victim was the instigator in the incident. After reviewing this information, the State dismissed the case.

Our client was formally charged with Battery by Strangulation under Fla. Stat. 784.041 in a case pending before Pinellas County Judge Meyer. We conducted discovery depositions and elicited testimony from the alleged victim, showing that our client did not strangle her. We then filed a Motion to Dismiss the charge based on the alleged victim’s testimony and the State’s inability to prove the charge. We presented the State with mitigation from our client and information surrounding the alleged victim’s statements, which called into question the credibility of witness testimony. Before the Motion to Dismiss being heard by the Judge, the State filed a Nolle Prosse of the case on October 2, 2024, officially dropping the charge against our client. Our client was formally charged with Battery by Strangulation under Fla. Stat. 784.041 in a case pending before Pinellas County Judge Meyer. We conducted discovery depositions and elicited testimony from the alleged victim, showing that our client did not strangle her. We then filed a Motion to Dismiss the charge based on the alleged victim’s testimony and the State’s inability to prove the charge. We presented the State with mitigation from our client and information surrounding the alleged victim’s statements, which called into question the credibility of witness testimony. Before the Motion to Dismiss being heard by the Judge, the State filed a Nolle Prosse of the case on October 2, 2024, officially dropping the charge against our client.

Petitions for Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence Dismissed After Evidentiary Hearing – On January 10, 2023, in 22-DR-063XXX, an injunction hearing was heard before the Honorable Judge Daniel Diskey in Pasco County. Judge Diskey dismissed the Injunction against our client after the Petitioner’s testimony did not establish sufficient evidence to allow the court to issue an injunction for protection against domestic violence.

Our client was originally arrested on a charge of Battery by Strangulation in Pasco County, FL. We contacted the State Attorney’s intake division to discuss the charges and provide mitigation and additional information from the alleged victim. Following receipt of that information, the State Attorney’s office dropped the charge against our client on December 11, 2023.

Our client was originally arrested on a charge of Aggravated Battery (Pregnant Female). The client hired us right after arrest but before any charges were formally filed by the State Attorney’s Office. We contacted the State Attorney’s intake division to provide mitigation and additional information about the case. Following receipt of that information, the State decided on December 20, 2023, not to file any formal charges against our client. This allowed our client to maintain his clean record and move forward with his life.

Our client was charged with domestic violence battery. On January 25, 2022, at the scheduled Jury Trial hearing date, the State announced a Nolle Prosse which dismissed the charge.

Felony False Imprisonment and DV Battery Charges Dropped in Tampa

On December 5, 2017, in case number 17-CF-011XXX, pending before the Honorable Judge Vivian T. Corvo in Felony Division G in Hillsborough County, the prosecutor dropped charges of False Imprisonment and Domestic Violence Battery.

Assigned Attorney: Josh Monteiro

Our client was defending against two injunction petitions filed by an ex-girlfriend and her friend, both seeking long-term protection orders. We served deposition notices and forced the petitioners to move forward with their claims. When neither petitioner appeared for deposition or for the final hearing, the court dismissed both injunctions with prejudice on July 27, 2025. This result ended the litigation completely and prevented the same claims from being refiled.

On February 21, 2024, our firm was successful in convincing the State Attorney’s Office not to file any formal charge against our client, who had been arrested for Domestic Battery.

On March 4, 2024, our firm was successful in preventing the State Attorney’s Office from filing formal charges against our client who had been arrested for Felony Domestic Battery on a Person Aged 65 or Older. This resolution allowed our client to move forward without the burden of a criminal record.

Our client’s mother filed an injunction against him. We continued the initial hearing and began discovery, issuing interrogatories and requests for production. Following negotiations, the petitioner agreed to a stipulated settlement agreement and did not appear at the final hearing, leading the Judge to dismiss the injunction.

On October 31, 2024, the Honorable Aaron W. Hubbard, County Judge in Pinellas County, dismissed an injunction for protection from domestic violence after the petitioner presented testimony about alleged wrongdoing by her estranged husband. We questioned the petitioner in order to show the lack of evidence and inconsistencies in her testimony. The court dismissed the injunction finding that the evidence presented was insufficient to allow the court to issue an injunction for protection.

Our client was charged with domestic violence battery. Our office engaged in depositions of the alleged victim and several other witnesses in the matter. In the depositions, we identified inconsistencies in the testimony of the victim. On February 22, 2023, the day before the scheduled Jury Trial hearing, the State announced a Nolle Prosse, which dismissed the charge.

On January 11, 2023, the State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County agreed not to file formal charges against our client, who was arrested for a Domestic Battery Charge.

On May 1, 2023, we attended a hearing on a motion to dismiss an injunction for protection against domestic violence pending in Pinellas County, FL. We represented the respondent who filed the motion. After questioning the petitioner, the court found a change in circumstances and granted our request to dismiss the injunction since the petition was not in immediate and present danger of domestic violence.

On August 10, 2023, the State Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County agreed not to file formal charges against our client, who was arrested for two counts of Domestic Battery after we presented evidence in mitigation and explained the potential defenses.

On October 20, 2023, we convinced the State Attorney’s Office not to file any charges against our client who had been arrested for Domestic Battery.

Resisting Officer Without Violence and Domestic Battery Charges in Polk County Dropped – Our client was charged with Resisting Officer Without Violence and Domestic Battery. On August 02, 2022, at the scheduled Jury Trial hearing date, the State announced a Nolle Prosse which dismissed the charges.

The petitioner filed an injunction for protection against domestic violence against our client. At the final hearing on September 20, 2022, the petitioner announced she was ready to proceed. After hearing us announce that we were also ready to proceed with a hearing she retracted her statement and asked for another continuance. At the next final injunction hearing on October 4, 2022, the petitioner did not appear and the injunction against our client was dismissed.

Our client was arrested on two counts of child abuse. Before charges were even filed, we successfully negotiated with the Assistant State Attorney to have the charges completely dropped if he participated in a parenting course, which he did, and on February 3, 2022, the Assistant State Attorney filed formal documents dropping all charges.

Our client who was the real victim in a domestic incident with her husband was arrested and taken to jail on a Battery case in 21-CM-XXXX99. Fortunately, justice was served as we were able to achieve a quick Notice of Termination of Prosecution from the State on July 23, 2021, in front of Judge Taylor. This pending case would have had huge ramifications in her divorce and custody case with her children.

Our client hired us to represent her in New Port Richey. She had no prior history. Although she was initially unable to see her children, after we were retained, those restrictions were lifted. We provided information to the prosecutor showing that no crime occurred. The State ultimately filed a No Information on July 21, 2021, in Judge Handsel’s division.

On January 21, 2020, the State Attorney’s Office in Tampa was forced to drop a Domestic Violence Battery charge against our client in 19-CM-XXXX01 after the case was set for a Jury Trial. Prior to the day of trial the State was insistent that they would not drop the case despite the alleged victim not wanting to prosecute. At the Pretrial Conference, the State indicated it would attempt to prove the cases at trial based on our client’s statements regardless of whether the alleged victim cooperated or not. Had our client accepted the State’s offer, he would have been subject to the very expensive and inconvenient burden of Domestic Violence Intervention, a program that typically requires 26-29 weeks of Batterer Intervention classes. Because our client had confidence in our process, he was spared the inconvenience of DVIP and can now apply to expunge his record.

On July 20, 2020, the Assistant State Attorney filed a “letter of release” to drop the charges for False Imprisonment and Domestic Violence Battery. As a result, the charges were “no-filed.” Prior to that decision, we were able to talk with the alleged victim and provide exculpatory evidence to the prosecutor showing that our client was not guilty of the incident that allegedly occurred on June 9, 2020, in Hillsborough County, FL.

On August 19, 2020, the prosecutor in Tampa, FL, filed a “Notice of Case Statute – Letter of Release” which indicated “no-filed” as the filing. The reason listed was that the “victim has recanted the original facts given to law enforcement or has given statements that are inconsistent or not credible. There is no other admissible evidence to support the charge.” As a result, the arrest warrant was recalled and our client did NOT have to go into custody for the outstanding arrest warrant issued on July 27, 2020, for aggravated battery on a pregnant female or great bodily harm under Section 784.045(1)(b). Shortly after the incident, we were able to meet with the alleged victim who provided us with a “drop affidavit” requesting that the case not be prosecuted. We provided the drop affidavit to the prosecutor along with information from additional witnesses showing that our client was not guilty of the accusation.

On August 3, 2020, the State Attorney’s Office in Sarasota County, Florida, filed a Nolle Prosequi which dropped the charge. The client was charged with Domestic Violence Battery. Prior to the SAO dropping charges, we presented mitigation showing problems with the way the arresting officer handled the investigation and credibility issues on the part of the complaining witness.

On June 27, 2019, the State Attorney’s Office in Tampa, FL, filed a “Notice of Termination of Prosecution” with the clerk of the court which provided: “Having reviewed the charge(s) contained in the Criminal Report Affidavit and/or Notice to Appear, the State Attorney’s Office informs you that the charge(s) contained therein is/are dismissed and prosecution is terminated as of this date and that the defendant need not appear for any further proceedings in this matter. This notice is also authority to inform the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to release the bond, if bond has been posted.” In this case, we presented information to the State Attorney’s Office showing why the charge for domestic violence battery should be dismissed immediately.

On October 14, 2019, the day the jury trial was scheduled to begin, the prosecutor decided to drop or “nol pross” the charge of violating a domestic violence restraining order, a first-degree misdemeanor. That was the only charge pending against our client. The incident occurred on February 11, 2019, when our client was accused of violating a temporary domestic violence injunction against the mother of his children. The police alleged that while the alleged victim was walking her son to school on the sidewalk, the defendant pulled his vehicle over, exited the vehicle, and confronted the victim verbally against her will which upset her. The domestic injunction was in effect at the time and prohibited the defendant from having any contact with the victim unless they were exchanging the child. The security cameras from a nearby gas station captured the entire incident. We also represented the client for the final hearing on the request for a domestic violence injunction, and we were able to get that injunction dismissed as well.

Domestic Violence Battery Dropped in Tampa, Florida

August 2, 2018 – Our client’s DV Battery case was dropped on July 25, 2018, after we pushed the case to Jury Trial. Based on the State’s refusal to drop the case earlier and offer of probation, we elected to schedule a trial. On the date of Pretrial in front of the Honorable Margaret Taylor in Division E, the State dropped 18-CM-001XXX.

Our client was arrested for Domestic Violence Battery by Strangulation in 18-CF-014XXX. The alleged victim also filed for an Injunction in 18-DR-014XXX. Our office engaged in depositions of the alleged victim and several other witnesses in the Injunction matter while the felony case was pending in intake at the State Attorney’s Office. In the depositions, we were able to identify inconsistencies in the testimony of the State’s witnesses. The Injunction was dismissed on October 16, 2018, in Division X in front of Judge Weis in Plant City. In addition, the deposition transcripts were provided to the State Attorney and on November 28, 2018, the State Attorney filed a Letter of Release and declined to file any formal charges in his felony case.

Stand Your Ground Immunity Motion Granted after Hearing

On December 9, 2016, in case number 16-CM-008XXX in Division X with Judge Weis, we filed a Motion to Dismiss based on Stand Your Ground Immunity in a domestic violence case. The Court heard testimony from several witnesses and then decided to grant the motion which dismissed the criminal charge pending against our client.

Our client contacted us when his girlfriend at the time accused him of battering her. Our attorney contacted the intake attorney at the State Attorney’s Office and provided additional information showing that our client’s girlfriend was actually the initially aggressor and battered him. Our client acted in self-defense. After reviewing the information we provided, the State Attorney filed a Letter of Non-Prosecution stating that they decided not to file battery charges against our client.

The client was arrested on January 3, 2024, for Battery Domestic Violence under Florida Statute 784.03(1)(A)(1) in Hillsborough County. Ms. Vento made contact with the alleged victim, who initially indicated she did not want to proceed with charges before cutting off any communication. Ms. Vento made contact with the State Attorney’s Office, raising concerns of potential mischaracterization of the events that occurred prior to an arrest being made and a note that was left in the Client’s belongings when they retrieved their items from the mutual home. As a result, the State proceeded to not file formal charged against the Client.