Case Results

The cases we take involve real people with real concerns. Clients put their faith in us because we focus on them, and no matter the allegation, every case gets our highest dedication and advocacy. Here is a small sampling of some results we’ve achieved.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

  • Not Guilty Verdict in Murder Trial

    Result: Not Guilty

    Client acquitted of murder after a week-long jury trial in Chester County Court of Common Pleas.  

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  • DUI Charges Withdrawn

    Result: Charges Withdrawn

    A Chester County woman was pulled over by a police officer who claimed that she was driving erratically and weaving. He arrested her for a DUI.

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    Facing potential jail time and loss of license, attorney Skinner retrieved the dash cam video and began building her defense. The video ultimately showed appropriate driving, without weaving or the other behavior alleged by the officer. Because the video did not support the officer’s claim, the DA agreed to withdraw the charges.

  • Not Guilty of Felony Strangulation

    Result:

    A domestic fight between high school sweethearts led to a felony strangulation charge for a Chester County man. The 20-year-old client had no priors but faced a minimum of one year incarnation for a 2nd-degree felony.

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    Although the victim presented a credible complaint, attorney Michael Skinner acquired evidence that weakened the prosecution’s case. The judge rendered a not guilty verdict, and the client was free to put this in the past.

  • Falsifying a Gun Application Dismissed

    Result: Dismissed

    A retired man contacted attorney Skinner after being charged with a serious felony for making false statements on a firearm application when he tried to buy a pistol at a gun show.

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    Apparently, he had been convicted of felony trespassing as a college student in the 70’s, but honesty believed the offense was expunged, and had later served in the Armed Forces for over 25 years, where he routinely used and possessed firearms. Attorney Skinner presented these facts to the prosecutor, and ultimately arranged to have all the charges dismissed.

  • Marijuana Grow Operation Reduced to Misdemeanor

    Result: Reduced

    When police officers searched a woman’s house for an unrelated reason, they discovered a marijuana grow operation. While it was apparently only for personal use, the amount still constituted a felony charge.

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    This exposed our client to harsh penalties and jeopardized her career. Attorney Skinner negotiated with the prosecutor and arranged to have all the cultivation charged reduced to a single misdemeanor for paraphernalia. This minimized the negative impact on her life and allowed her to easily put it behind her.

  • Reduced Sentence in Steel Mill Theft

    Result: Reduced

    Our client was involved in an elaborate conspiracy to steal raw nickel from his employer. This resulted in more than a million dollars in losses for the steel mill and involved numerous employees.

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    Based on the complexity and the value taken out client was looking at serious state prison time. Ultimately, attorney Skinner negotiated to have many of the charges dismissed, his sentence reduced to time in county jail, and had him admitted to work release so he could continue earning a living.

    Read more about this case here.

  • Evidence Suppressed in Drugged Driving Case

    Result: Dismissed

    Our client was pulled over leaving a Wawa at 3 a.m. after a shift driving for Uber. The officer charged him with driving under the influence, when it was discovered he had recently used heroin.

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    Attorney Skinner reviewed the circumstances, and it became clear that the officer had not reasonable cause to make the initial stop in the first place. By arguing that the stop itself was unlawful, the evidence the officer found was suppressed, and the whole case against the man was dismissed.

  • ARD for Felony Prescription Drug Charges

    Result: Dismissed

    When a woman was charged with several felonies for falsifying prescription forms, she faced several years behind bars, even as a first offense.

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    With prosecutors initially unwilling to offer a diversion program, attorney Skinner began aggressively negotiating for her. By explaining the circumstance surrounding her addiction and lack of criminal record, he was able to have several felonies dropped, so she could be admitted to the ARD program. By completing the favorable terms of ARD, she would could have the case dismissed and protect her record.

  • Retail Theft Dismissal

    Result: Dismissed

    Attorney Skinner assisted a client charged with retail theft from a local West Chester department store. As a misdemeanor, a  conviction would severely complicate this individual’s life.

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    By successfully negotiating, the prosecutor agreed to have the shoplifting charges withdrawn and expunged.

  • Underage Drinking Expunged for Education Major

    Result: Dismissed

    When an aspiring teacher was arrested in West Chester for underage drinking and public drunkenness, she was exposed to a license suspension and a stigma that could end her teaching career before it began.

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    Attorney Skinner didn’t want a single incident to limit her career path and negotiated to have the charges dismissed and later completely expunged. As a result, future employers will not see the charge on her record, and she could easily put this behind her.