SLG’s Masterclass in Criminal Defense: From Unwinnable to Unexpected Victory (Case Study)
Caught in a legal quagmire with seemingly no way out, of your own making? Today, we’re sharing a case that initially appeared impossible to win. Even our seasoned attorney thought, ‘Any judge would find this guilty after viewing the evidence’. The bottom line is, we managed to secure the best result for our client. But what exactly constitutes ‘best’ in such cases? Is it probation, a suspended sentence, or something else entirely? If you’re impatient, feel free to skip to the case summary and conclusion. However, we suspect you will find the full story too intriguing to miss.
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Case Overview – From Subway Suspicion to Damning Digital Evidence
The suspect was caught by the police taking private pictures of other people in the subway. The findings were even more shocking. Over 1,000 adult videos were discovered on the suspect’s phone. These included not only pornography downloaded online but also tens of videos of civilians that appeared to have been filmed without consent. With this level of evidence, anyone would think, ‘This is a clear guilty verdict.’ The case seemed ironclad.
SLG’s First Impression of the Case
“”I watched the video footage with my own eyes, right alongside the investigator. It was truly a challenging case. Anyone who saw it would say, ‘This person definitely took illegal hidden camera footage.’ In discussions with the investigator, this veteran officer expressed certainty about the suspect’s guilt. He noted that the suspect’s behavior matched that of typical offenders – scanning surroundings, observing reactions of people nearby, making motions suggestive of hidden camera filming, then quickly departing,” said the attorney handling the case.
During a private consultation, the client maintained his innocence, claiming all videos were recorded with consent. However, the numerous videos found on his phone made his assertion dubious. It seemed implausible that he could have obtained consent for each of the dozens of recordings, making the evidence extremely unfavorable to his claim.
Another Approach When Guilt Seems Inevitable in Court
True to the track record of achieving the best possible outcomes in numerous challenging cases, SLG immediately devised a strategy.
“If this goes to trial, it’s a guaranteed guilty verdict. So, I aimed to end it before it ever reached that stage,” the attorney explained.
How was it possible to conclude the case before trial? The key lay in ‘balanced negotiation’ and ‘strategic communication,’ which involved carefully calibrating cooperation and pressure in the relationship with the investigator. The following conversation reveals a masterclass in legal negotiation.
Negotiation Confidential: SLG’s Strategy Exposure
“Officer, we’ll cooperate with you to the fullest extent. However, shouldn’t we also ensure that legal procedures are followed?” With these words, the attorney clearly demonstrated both a willingness to cooperate and an awareness of legal boundaries. When pointing out legal issues, a careful yet effective approach was used. “Officer, this search warrant is specifically for this crime, right? Technically, we shouldn’t be looking at videos related to his private relationships.” Yet, simultaneously, a flexible attitude was shown. “But I won’t intervene on each one, so feel free to look. In exchange, please promise not to use videos unrelated to the warrant in your allegations.”
How was this a mutually beneficial solution? Had the attorney insisted on meticulously scrutinizing every procedural detail, the forensic analysis alone could have stretched into weeks. The investigator would need to click through each video, asking for permission to view it and confirm its relevance. Moreover, according to warrant principles, the search warrant is only effective for looking at the subway footage, requiring new warrants for anything else. In severe cases, it might be possible to proceed without a warrant. However, to determine the severity, they would need to thoroughly examine the content of the videos, not just skim through them. In other words, without the attorney’s consideration during the investigation process, it would become the arduous task of watching a thousand videos one by one with the attorney present.
Additionally, our attorney subtly highlighted the case’s uncertainties. “You mentioned that the victim seemed a bit odd from your perspective, didn’t you? I heard that while her statements were exaggerated, they also lacked consistency…” By relaying this information back to the investigator, our attorney emphasized the complexity of the case and discouraged the investigator from drawing hasty conclusions, tactfully steering the examination towards a more nuanced approach.
“Isn’t this sensitive information?”: SLG attorney responds to concerns about disclosure
“This isn’t some extraordinary strategy. Competent attorneys all do this. However, it’s not just about strategy. It’s about ability. The real issue is how well you can build relationships with investigators and communicate effectively.”
More Than Just Law Smarts: The Crucial Factors in Choosing Your Defender
The effectiveness of SLG’s approach became even more evident in private conversations with investigators. One experienced investigator confided, “It often feels heavy when we have to speak with attorneys. You can’t imagine how many lawyers yell and fight with us.” Another investigator shared an even more shocking story: “Clients who choose the wrong attorney can wind up in worse situations. We often say among ourselves, ‘That person got a bad lawyer. If the attorney hadn’t behaved that way, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad. But because the lawyer kept harassing and picking fights, I found myself digging into minor details I would have normally overlooked. I can’t help but react. It’s hard not to take it personally.'”
On the other hand, many lawyers remain silent throughout the investigation. They claim, “Without an attorney’s present, the atmosphere becomes more coercive with threats and persuasion. I’m there to prevent that. Just by being there, I do my job.” They’re right. The presence of a lawyer significantly changes how the investigator treats the client. But is that all you really want your lawyer to do?
Evidence, But Beyond: The Case’s Surprising Conclusion
The investigator ultimately concluded, “This case lacks sufficient evidence for prosecution.” What initially seemed like a certain guilty verdict ended up being dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Attorney Aaron Hwang, the principal of SLG, explains this result: “Resolving the case at the investigation stage, without going to trial, was most advantageous for our client. Battling it out in court would have been a significant burden. However, achieving such a result requires more than just knowing the strategy. The key is to build a trusting relationship with the other party, where both sides give up less important things to gain more crucial ones, maintaining positive rapport while applying precise pressure at the right intensity.”
He continues, “Ultimately, it’s about people. Understanding the law should be a given, but dealing with people is the real skill. Many lawyers know similar strategies, but implementing them effectively is an entirely different matter. Remember, behind every badge, gavel, or legal document, there’s a person. It’s how you connect with these individuals that often makes or breaks a case.
What to Look for in Your Attorney
This case demonstrates a new paradigm in criminal defense. While courtroom arguments are important, strategic responses before and after this stage can sometimes be even more pivotal. SLG Law Firm precisely understands this reality and develops and implements optimal strategies tailored to each case.
Are you struggling with a legal issue? No matter how difficult your situation may seem, don’t give up. SLG Law Firm will explore new possibilities with you. We will protect your rights and strive for the best results with our experience and expertise. We plan to continue this series, showcasing how we have protected the rights of our clients in cases that seemed nearly impossible to win.
Also, you can refer to the following posts related to this case: