Client, a 26‑year‑old Navy hovercraft pilot, was facing charges under California Penal Code §§ 288(a) and 288.5 for allegedly molesting his 4‑year‑old daughter. A conviction would have carried life‑changing consequences, including prison and the end of his military career. After a contested hearing in court where we exposed the truth, all charges were dropped.
The case arose from a bitter custody dispute. After our client obtained a favorable child support order, his ex‑wife and her mother retaliated in the most damaging way possible. They coached the client’s young daughter to make false accusations of abuse, triggering a year‑long criminal investigation and threatening to end his career in the Navy.
Despite multiple medical exams showing no evidence of abuse, the case moved forward. Child Welfare Services and the San Diego Police Department launched investigations, and our client endured multiple interrogations while on active duty. Determined to clear his name, he voluntarily took two polygraph examinations, both of which he passed, and we submitted the results to law enforcement.
The turning point came during a contested hearing in court. Through careful preparation and cross‑examination, we dismantled the case: We cross‑examined the mother and demonstrated that she had coached the child. We examined the CWS investigator, highlighting gaps and inconsistencies in the investigation. We reviewed the forensic interviews, exposing that the child’s statements were the product of adult coaching rather than reliable evidence.
The dramatic hearing revealed the full scope of the false accusations. The mother was caught in lie after lie and broke down in court as the scheme unraveled.
All charges were dropped. The case was closed, and our client walked away cleared of any wrongdoing.
This case shows how aggressive courtroom advocacy, cross‑examination, and careful preparation can expose the truth in even the most serious and high‑stakes criminal cases.