Client, a young Marine, was charged with arson of an inhabited structure under Penal Code § 451(b), arson of a structure under § 451(c), burglary under § 459, and felony vandalism over $400 under § 594(a)(b)(1). He faced up to eight years in state prison, a strike on his record, and public scrutiny after the case received media attention. We secured probation with no jail time, avoided a strike, and the case was ultimately expunged under Penal Code § 1203.4.
The case began when the client went to San Diego’s Gaslamp District for a belated 21st‑birthday celebration after completing Marine Corps training during his actual birthday. He drank heavily and blacked out. In that impaired state, he wandered into the kitchen of a closed downtown restaurant, broke drinking glasses, and started small fires that triggered the sprinkler system. The fires were contained to the kitchen, but the San Diego Fire Department responded, and the upstairs hostel with dozens of occupants had to be evacuated.
The client was arrested and faced serious felony charges carrying eight years of exposure, a potential strike, and the risk of dishonorable discharge from the Marine Corps.
We conducted a thorough case workup showing that the client had no criminal history, that this incident was an isolated lapse in judgment, and that he was unlikely to reoffend. After extensive negotiations, the court imposed probation with no jail time. The client avoided a strike, jail, and later had the case expunged under Penal Code § 1203.4, preserving his future and his military career.
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Well first of let me start with patrick is number 1 ! He is so motivated in his type of work and very great energy best he is staight forward and 100% real . He wont let you down . In my case that really me and my family thought it be some years witch normally would have but with...
Adair
I recently had a case in riverside county where I was getting charged for domestic violence, entrapment, and other things. When really it was not anything like that at all, I was looking at 4+ years and when I denied that they tried to hit me with a 211 for taking her phone (which she denied ) and give me...
Roberto
Patrick and Samantha were very helpful and answered any question I had during one of the most difficult times in my life. Patrick was able to deal with everything and I never had to step a foot inside the courtroom. Thank god everything was resolved and I’m able to move forward.
Alberto
If you’re looking for the best attorney in San Diego to fight your case, you need to hire Patrick Griffin asap. I was involved in a nightmare situation with an ex girlfriend and Griffin Law Office came to the rescue. When I ended the relationship with my ex and tried to move out she vandalized my property, changed the locks...
Andrew
