Law Office of Matt Sullivan Wins New Trial Motion in Child Molestation Case

May 15, 2013 - The Law Office of Matt Sullivan had a new trial motion granted in a child molestation case in San Mateo County on February 25, 2013. In this case the client was facing a potential sentence of 32 years to life. It was discovered by the defense that there were serious errors related to the DNA evidence. The client was represented by a different attorney at trial and this DNA evidence was not adequately explored. (People v. Lal, SC-67918A, San Mateo County Superior Court). The case is currently pending to determine if it will be reset for trial.

The dangers inherent in child sex cases have been the subject of numerous studies and documentary films. The recent film "Witch Hunt" explores this frightening issue. "Witch Hunt is described as a gripping indictment of the United States justice system told through the lens of one small town. It's John Stoll's story, but it's also the story of dozens of other men and women who found themselves ensnared in a spiral of fear, ignorance and hysteria. These people are Americans, working class moms and dads, who were rounded up with little or no evidence, charged and convicted of almost unimaginable crimes. All sexual. All crimes against children. Years, sometimes decades later, they would find freedom again, but their lives and the lives of their children would be changed forever. This film shows viewers what the real crime in this case is, not molestation, but the crime of coercion. Viewers hear from the child witnesses who were forced to lie on the witness stand as they describe scary sessions with sheriff's deputies in which they were told — not asked — about sexual experiences that happened to them. Their coerced testimony led to dozens of convictions. Many times their own parents were the ones they put behind bars."

The Law Office of Matt Sullivan is a full service criminal defense firm handling complex and simple criminal matters in all Bay Area Counties. The office has recently expanded its web presence in Marin County, with the launch of a new website http://criminaldefenselawyermarin.com. This site is intended to make Marin County clients aware of Mr. Sullivan's experience defending criminal cases in Marin County. As a former deputy public defender in Marin County, and a former member of the Alternate Defender Panel in Marin County, Mr. Sullivan has years of experience defending citizens accused of crimes in Marin County. He has handled a number of serious sex cases in San Mateo County over the past few years, as both solo lead attorney and as second chair trial counsel. The new website is seeking to expand the reach of the office into Marin County to reach clients who are not aware of the services offered by the law firm, especially pertaining to the defense of sex crimes. Sex crimes are very difficult crimes to defend as they involve the intersection of numerous areas of law and science. There is often forensic evidence to examine, including DNA evidence. In the recent case in which the new trial motion was granted, DNA evidence had not been examined by prior counsel. It is critical in these serious cases, that competent and skilled counsel is obtained. Child sex cases in particular are very charged and volatile cases. Numerous persons have been convicted in these cases and sentenced to many years in prison whom were later found to be completely innocent.

The Law Office of Matt Sullivan represents client's charged with criminal offenses in all Bay Area counties. The office represents persons charged with crimes in any Marin County city, including San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Fairfax, or Marin City. The office has experience representing citizen's charged with DUI's, drug offenses, sex offenses, and crimes of violence in Marin County. The office can be reached at 415-879-1256 and offers free consultations. It can be viewed on the web at http://criminaldefenselawyermarin.com/ and http://marinsexcrimesdefenselawyer.com/ and www.mattsullivanlaw.com.