Client, a 15‑year‑old high school student, was facing two felony counts—assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury under Penal Code § 245(a)(4) and aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury under Penal Code § 243(d)—with personal infliction of great bodily injury enhancements under Penal Code § 1192.7(c)(8). The charges were strike‑eligible and exposed the client to a serious juvenile record with long‑term consequences. After a contested Welfare & Institutions Code § 654 motion, the case was dismissed without any finding.
The case arose from a fight at La Jolla High School. Surveillance video and multiple student statements showed that the alleged victim had a long history of bullying and aggression on campus. On the day of the incident, the victim first harassed another student and then immediately attacked our client as he entered the gym, slamming his head into a door and tackling him to the ground. The victim, who was 30 pounds heavier and several inches taller, drove the client’s head into the pavement while throwing punches.
In the chaos that followed, other students jumped in to help the client, and the victim ended up at the bottom of a pile as students tried to pull him off. The incident lasted less than 15 seconds. Frame‑by‑frame video analysis and recorded student interviews confirmed that the victim was the initial aggressor, and our client’s actions were reactive and defensive in nature.
Griffin Law Office filed a Welfare & Institutions Code § 654 motion for informal supervision and dismissal, presenting the client’s strong school performance, positive family support, and ongoing therapy. We also submitted character letters and evidence of the client’s proactive steps to change schools, engage in counseling, and avoid further conflict.
The court agreed that this was an unusual case where the interests of justice were best served without a wardship finding. The petition was dismissed without any finding, sparing the client a strike and a lasting juvenile record.
This result demonstrates the impact of immediate investigation, careful motion practice, and persuasive mitigation in high‑stakes juvenile cases.
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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
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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...
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