Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Criminal Defense Case Study #2

Matter:

Grand Jury Representation – Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant with a Deadly Weapon

Service:

N/A

Summary:

Our client was 19 years old and had a long standing history of drug and alcohol abuse. One of the police officers on scene charged our client with intentionally attempting to run him over with a car.

We investigated the facts early on, fully debriefed our client and his family, visited with the prosecuting attorney handling the government’s case, and then made a concise but thoroughly complete Grand Jury presentation. Our investigator interviewed witnesses who had observed first hand what took place at the scene. He also requested the police reports through the Open Records Act procedure. We had a series of photos of the client’s vehicle taken and properly presented them for the Grand Jurors' consideration. We then examined and researched the necessary criminal intent needed to sustain an aggravated assault conviction, and compared those standards to what we believed our client was actually capable of forming, based on the witnesses’ observations that day. In addition, we counseled with our client and his family that the best thing he could do for himself and his future was to confront his drug and alcohol problems, and become willing to ask for help in resolving them.

With our guidance, and his family’s support, our client voluntarily checked himself into one of the country’s finest treatment facilities after he made bond.

Result:

The Grand Jury declined to indict our client on the first degree felony charge of Aggravated Assault, Public Servant, Deadly Weapon. Instead they reduced the charge, reporting it out as misdemeanor reckless conduct.

Highlights:

Being able to use more than 14 years of experience successfully preparing Grand Jury presentations and obtaining Grand Jury No Bills and reductions, to help a kind, decent, but confused young man, avoid the stigma and potential future consequences of a serious felony charge.

References:

Our client and his family. Please call our offices at 214-363-1828 or email us at info@meililaw.com for further information and contact numbers.

I contacted Col. Meili as a fellow practitioner to gain some context and perspective on a pretty complex set of issues. Because I practice in a different field of law, Col. Meili's extensive expertise was invaluable and he was more than generous with his time. A skilled and dedicated professional who cares deeply about obtaining the best possible outcome for his clients, Bill's a leader in this field.

- Steffen Chapin


After an exhaustive search of military attorneys, I came across the name of Bill Meili. From my first email exchange and telephone call, I knew that Bill was the right person to handle my case. I had discussed my unique circumstance with a handful of other attorneys who felt it may be too difficult to achieve the outcome that I was seeking - but Bill was interested in me and my case, and wholeheartedly believed that we had the ball in our court. I could tell that Bill cared about me as a person and soldier, not just viewing me as a paycheck.

- Anonymous