Felony Mayhem and Assault with a Deadly Weapon: No Jail Time

Client was charged with mayhem under Penal Code § 203, assault with a deadly weapon under Penal Code § 245(a)(1), and battery causing serious bodily injury under Penal Code § 243(d), with a personal use of a dangerous weapon enhancement under Penal Code § 12022(b)(1). He faced more than nine years in state prison. After an immediate and thorough defense workup, including top experts and a complex mental health diversion proceeding, we secured a resolution that allowed the client to avoid any jail time.

The case began while our client was in San Diego for a bachelor party. During a night out at a bar, an argument escalated into a physical confrontation. In the chaos, the client struck another man in the face with a glass. The glass shattered, leaving a deep laceration across the victim’s face that required emergency treatment, multiple stitches, and resulted in visible disfigurement.

Prosecutors filed some of the most serious violent felony charges in California law. Mayhem cases almost always result in state prison sentences, especially where the facts involve facial disfigurement, great bodily injury, and the use of a dangerous weapon. Our client was facing more than nine years in custody, along with a strike offense and a permanent felony record.

Recognizing the stakes, Griffin Law Office immediately launched a full investigation and defense workup. We retained top medical and psychological experts, developed a comprehensive mitigation package, and prepared for a contested Penal Code § 1001.36 mental health diversion hearing. Our strategy included showing that the incident was an isolated lapse in judgment and that our client had the capacity for rehabilitation without incarceration.

Through a combination of expert evidence, thorough investigation, and a compelling psychological and life history presentation, we were able to negotiate a resolution with the District Attorney that avoided prison entirely. Despite injuries and facts that nearly always lead to a lengthy state prison sentence, our client did not serve a single day in jail, and his future remained intact.

This case demonstrates how rapid action, expert-driven strategy, and detailed mitigation work can achieve extraordinary results in the most serious violent felony cases.