Jury Verdict/Results
The case results listed below are just a small sample of the successful results secured for clients by the Law Office of Melissa Fanoe
These results are not a prediction or guarantee for a future outcome if you were to
hire this office to represent you or a family member on similar charges. Every case is different, and results vary based on the unique facts of the case including but not limited to: the defendant’s prior criminal record, the Deputy District Attorney assigned to the case, and the Judge. These results do not include the numerous successful jury verdicts, dismissals, or case resolutions secured during Ms. Fanoe’s 6 years as a Deputy Public Defender.
MURDER
Charge: Premediated Attemped Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Criminal Threats
Maximum Sentence: Life in Prison
Client was accused of attempted murder for hitting an elderly neighbor over the head with a shovel causing Great Bodily Injury (“GBI”). It was alleged that Client assaulted with the premediated intent to murder his neighbor.
Result: Attempted Murder Charge Dismissed, Client plead to Assault with a Deadly Weapon causing GBI for 7 years state prison.
SEX CASES
Charges: Child Molestation Against Two Alleged Victims
Maximum Sentence: Life in Prison
Client charged with acts of child molestation against two children under age 11. Client denied the allegations. After thorough investigation case dismissed.
Result: Dismissed.
Charges: Child Molestation, Corporal Injury to Child
Maximum Sentence: 18 years 8 months
Client was accused of two acts of child molestation against his child. Clilent denied the allegations. After thorough investigation case dismissed.
Result: Dismissed.
Charges: Child Molestation Against Two Alleged Victims
Maximum Sentence: Life in Prison
Client was accused of acts of child molestation against her child and grandchild. Client denied allegations. After thorough investigation child molestation charges dismissed. Client plead to Felony Child Abuse with no requirement for sex offender registration.
Result: Child Molestation Charges Dismissed, Client plead to Child Abuse as a Felony. No sex offender registration.
Charges: Rape, Rape in Concert
Maximum Sentence: 17 years
Client was charged with gang rape against an underage girl. After thorough investigation case resolved for a general felony with no requirement for sex offender registration.
Result: Rape Charges Dismissed, Client plead to a general felony and received probation, no sex offender registration.
Charges: Misdemeanor Sexual Battery
Maximum Sentence: 1 year
Client accused of inappropriately touching a woman. Case resolved for a simple Battery with no requirement for sex offender registration.
Result: Sexual Battery Dismissed, Client plead to simple battery as a misdemeanor, no sex offender registration.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/CRIMINAL THREATS
Charges: Corporal Injury to Spouse, Criminal Threats, False Imprisonment, 3 Prior Strikes
Maximum Sentence: Life in Prison
Redding man accused of preventing his wife from leaving her home, strangling her, and threatening to kill her. Case dismissed during trial after successfully litigating numerous motions.
Result: Dismissed during trial.
Charges: Dissuading a Witness, Criminal Threats
Maximum Sentence: 3 years 8 months
Client accused of threatening and dissuading a woman from speaking with law enforcement regarding allegations of sexual assault. Criminal Threats charge was dismissed by Judge before jury deliberations due to insufficiency of the evidence.
Result: Jury Verdict: NOT GUILTY.
Charges: DUI w/Injury x2, Felony Child Abuse, 3 Enhancements
Maximum Sentence: 9 years 8 months
Client allegedly drove under the influence and caused a crash that injured three children in other vehicle. Client’s child was in her vehicle. District Attorney wanted Client to go to prison for 5 years 8 months. Successfully argued for probation at sentencing hearing.
Result: Probation.
FIREARMS
Charges: Assault with a Firearm, Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle
Maximum Sentence: 10 years 8 months
Client was charged with aiding and abetting her Co-Defendant who was alleged to have shot a gun at his ex-girlfriend who was driving in her vehicle on a busy street. Client was alleged to be driving the vehicle.
Result: Jury Verdict: NOT GUILTY.
Charges: Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Maximum Sentence: 3 years
Client charged with possession of a firearm as a felon. Investigation highlighted weaknesses in District Attorney’s case. Dismissed before trial.
Result: Dismissed.
Charges: Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Maximum Sentence: 3 years
Firearms were located in a home where my client was staying overnight. Client was discharged after successfully arguing that the District Attorney did not meet their burden of proof at Preliminary Hearing.
Result: Dismissed.
Charges: Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, Felon in Possession of Firearm
Maximum Sentence: 7 years 8 months
Client accused of shooting at girlfriend’s vehicle after an argument. Client denied the allegations. After thorough investigation case resolved for a misdemeanor.
Result: Felony charges dismissed, Client plead to a misdemeanor.
DRUGS
Charges: Transportation of Heroin, Possession of Heroin for Sales
Maximum Sentence: 5 years
Client was a passenger in a vehicle. The vehicle was searched by law enforcement. Law enforcement located a large amount of heroin in a suitcase in the trunk. Client denied knowledge of the heroin. Client was discharged after successfully arguing that the District Attorney did not
meet their burden of proof at Preliminary Hearing.
Result: Dismissed.
Charges: Cultivation of Marijuana
Maximum Sentence: 3 years
Client was accused of engaging in the illegal cultivation of marijuana. Client was arrested near an illegal grow site containing 3,375 marijuana plants. Client was held to answer at Preliminary Hearing. Filed a Motion to Dismiss for insufficiency of the evidence at Preliminary Hearing. The Judge granted the motion and the case was dismissed.
Result: Dismissed.
Charges: Cultivation of Marijuana, Maintaining a Place for Sales of Controlled Substance
Maximum Sentence: 5 years
Client was accused of engaging in the illegal cultivation of marijuana and maintaining a place for the sales of marijuana. Client was arrested in a residence alleged to be a part of housing for the workers cultivating marijuana. The nearby grow site contained 5,988 marijuana clones. Client was held to answer at Preliminary Hearing. Filed a Motion to Dismiss for insufficiecy of the evidence at Preliminary Hearing. The Judge granted the motion and the case was dismissed.
Result: Dismissed.
THEFT
Charges: Theft of a Vehicle, Receiving a Stolen Vehicle
Maximum Sentence: 3 years
Client accused of vehicle theft and receiving a stolen motor vehicle. Client denied the allegations stating he had borrowed the car from a neighbor who he believed lawfully owned the vehicle. During the jury trial filed a Motion to Dismiss due to a Brady Violation. The Court found that the District Attorney failed to provide exculpatory evidence to the defense and dismissed the felony charges. The evidence the District Attorney withheld was video surveillance of someone else stealing the car.
Result: Dismissed.