Case Results

Charges Dismissed

2015 EXPLOSIVE DEVICE AND CHILD ABUSE CHARGES DISMISSED

Life Sentence Avoided due to Wrongfully Accused

Client was wrongfully arrested and charged with exploding a destructive device causing great bodily injury, possessing a destructive device near populated locations, and child abuse, all felonies. Client was suspected of giving a 13-year-old boy an aerial mortar round on August 2, 2015 that exploded and caused him to lose his left hand and hearing in one ear. Martin Caraves and Roseann Torres conducted further investigation, and with the help of a private investigator, determined that the client was in another county several hundred miles away as evidenced by gas station surveillance footage. Case was dismissed and client set free.

Link to News Story: https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/08/26/oakland-man-charged-in-fireworks-explosion-that-cost-boy-a-hand/

Charges Reduced to Misdemeanor and Resisting Arrest Dismissed

2017 – FELONY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND RESISTING ARREST CHARGES

Client was charged with felony domestic violence and resisting arrest. At the preliminary hearing, Martin Caraves convinced the judge to reduce the two DV charges to misdemeanors and showed that the client was the victim of assault by the two arresting officers. At trial, the resisting arrest charges were dismissed.

Dismissed

2019 SEXUAL BATTERY CHARGE DISMISSED

Client charged with unlawful touching of a woman without her consent. Martin Caraves discovered through his own investigation that the woman had made false allegations to law enforcement and convinced the DA to dismiss the case. Case dismissed and client was set free.

Dismissed at a Constitutional Motion Hearing

2017 GRAND THEFT/BURGLARY/FORGERY CHARGES DISMISSED

Client was charged in 2010 with 4 counts of felony Burglary, Grand Theft, Identity Theft, and Forgery, for allegedly breaking into a home, stealing checks and cashing them at a grocery store, making off with tens of thousands of dollars. Martin Caraves filed a motion to dismiss the case because law enforcement failed to get the client to court within a reasonable time, in violation of his constitutional rights. After two hearings on the matter, the case was dismissed and the client set free.

Dismissed on Day of Trial

2017 RAPE BY FORCE CHARGES

Client was accused of using force to rape a woman with whom he had a dating relationship. DA brought 5 felony and 3 misdemeanor charges. With the help of an investigator, Martin Caraves conducted an extensive investigation and obtained impeachment evidence against the complaining witness. He use that evidence to convince the DA to dismiss the case without the need for trial. Client avoided jail time and deportation. The case was dismissed prior to trial.

Dismissed on Day of Trial

2018 ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON

Client was charged with attacking another person with a pipe and causing injury. Martin Caraves was able to show that the complaining witness was the first aggressor and our client was merely defending himself as best he could. Law enforcement failed to ask the proper questions and understand the entire context of what had happened the night of the incident. The case was dismissed on the eve of trial.

Dismissed:

Man pulled over in and arrested for DUI
was taken to court and his case, dismissed.

Extensive Investigation Lead to Reduction of Charges

2018 CHILD MOLEST CHARGES REDUCED

Bay Area school teacher accused by multiple students of inappropriate touching. Martin Caraves and his investigator were able to show the legal problems with the prosecution’s case and convinced the DA to resolve the matter for one count of simple battery. Client avoided PC 290 registration, jail time and possible deportation.

Felony Charge Reduced to Misdemeanor

2018 FELONY STALKING CHARGES REDUCED

Client charged with felony stalking charges. At the preliminary hearing, Martin Caraves successfully argued to reduce the charges to a misdemeanor, to which the judge agreed.

Misdemeanor Child Abuse Charges Dismissed

2018 – CHILD ABUSE WITH INJURY CHARGES

Client was charged with physical abuse of a juvenile resulting in injuries. The juvenile had trespassed onto the client’s property to steal items belonging to several tenants. The client attempted to conduct a citizen’s arrest and allegedly beat the child causing the injuries. Martin Caraves conducted further investigation and learned that it was the arresting officers that had injured the juvenile when they forcefully detained him to investigate what had happened. After reviewing defense counsel’s mitigation, including Body Worn Cameras, the case was dismissed.

Successfully Recovered Client’s Funds

2019 ASSET FORFEITURE RECOVERY

Client convicted of drug crimes had his assets (cash, retirement, real property, etc.) seized by law enforcement. The DA argued that all assets were obtained illegally as a result of profits obtained in drug sales. Martin Caraves successfully recovered 95% of the funds that were seized, including the life savings and investments, by the tracing the funds to legitimate sources. Client forfeited only 5% of funds.