Cases & Results
State v. P.L. (Murder) (NOT GUILTY of Murder)
P.L was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder of a significant other. Arguing that the death of the significant other occurred during a heated argument and physical altercation, Mr. Light was able to obtain a jury verdict of Not Guilty on Murder.
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State v. D.B (Murder) (NOT GUILTY VERDICT)
Arrested and charged with Class AA Felony Murder, D.B. was accused of killing an acquaintance during an argument about a debt. Despite the testimony of an eyewitness to the altercation implicating D.B., Mr. Light's advocacy and agressive cross-examination secured a jury verdict of Not Guilty and D.B. was acquitted of all charges.
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State v. G.S. (Rape) (PLED to Misdemeanor Sexual Assault)
G.S. was charged with Class A Felony Gross Sexual Imposition, more commonly known as "Rape," after being arrested at the scene. G.S. admitted to most of the substantial facts needed to sustain a conviction to police after being read his Miranda rights. Mr. Light conducted a mock trial with the services of a noted jury consultant. Using the information obtained from this exercise, Mr. Light was able secure a plea deal. G.S. pled guilty to a Class B Misdemeanor Sexual Assault. G.S. avoided substantial jail time and was not required to register as a sex offender.
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State v. C.F.
C.F. was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver after law enforcement discovered drugs, guns, and a large amount of cash in his car during a traffic stop. C.F. faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Arguing that his client's Fourth Amendment rights were violated, Mr. Light got the evidence thrown out and the charges dismissed. As a result, the State was also forced to return the sum of money. Although the State appealed, Light was also successful before the North Dakota Supreme Court.
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State v. C.F. II
Law enforcement presented some of the information illegally obtained in the original State v. C.F. case to get a search warrant that could be used to search C.F.'s home either during the day or night. As a result of the search, C.F. was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Again, the evidence was suppressed and the State appealed. Again, Mr. Light was successful at the North Dakota Supreme Court.
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State v. J.B.
The State of North Dakota attempted to have J.B. civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person. J.B. could have spent remainder of his life in an institution. Despite expert testimony favoring J.B.'s imprisonment, Mr. Light's advocacy, including an aggressive cross-examination, prevented his client from being committed.
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State v. J.B. II
Although Mr. Light successfully defended J.B. against the State's attempts to have him civilly committed, the State re-filed the petition to have him committed a few years later. Once again, Mr. Light defeated the State in court. Mr. Light successfully argued that the State's attempts to commit J.B. as a dangerous sex offender had already been decided by the court once before and retrying J.B. on this issue violated sound legal principles. Thus, the court threw out the petition to have J.B. committed.
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State v. J.A.
Methamphetamine was discovered during a probation search of J.A.'s home. Due to a prior conviction, J.A. faced up to 20 years if convicted. Mr. Light was able to secure a Not Guilty verdict despite testimony that the meth was found in the nightstand next to J.A.'s bed and that J.A. made incriminating statements.
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State v. M.K. and K.D.
After drugs and a large sum of money were discovered during a search of their home, M.K. and K.D. were charged with possession of a controlled substance. They faced loss of the money and a possible prison sentence. At Mr. Light's advice, M.K. and K.D. pled guilty in order to challenge the search of their home on appeal. Subsequently, Mr. Light successfully argued their case before the North Dakota Supreme Court. Their convictions were reversed and their money was returned.
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State v. C.F.
C.F. was charged with negligent homicide as a result of a fatal car accident in which he was accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. He faced up to 5 years in prison. After an aggressive cross examination of the investigating officer at the preliminary hearing, the State agreed to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor. Mr. Light was then able to negotiate a plea agreement, which allowed C.F. to gain freedom after serving a minimal sentence in a smaller and safer facility close to his home.
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State v. A.V.
A.V. was charged with Driving Under the Influence after his blood alcohol concentration was well over the legal limit. Mr. Light was able to secure a hung jury and A.V. was not recharged.
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State v. J.S.
J.S. was charged with Driving Under the Influence. At trial the arresting officer testified that J.S.'s blood alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit. Nevertheless, Mr. Light secured a Not Guilty verdict and J.S. was acquitted.
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