I hope you find this post helpful. If you’d like our legal team at Kersey Law to handle your case with the dedication and expertise you deserve, click here to get started with us today.

From Facing A Life Sentence to Freedom: A Criminal Defense Success Story by Jamahl Kersey

Legal Victory Overturned Conviction

At Kersey Law, we recently achieved a significant victory in a challenging case. Our client, a young man with no prior criminal history, was facing life in prison on multiple serious charges, including attempted murder and other gun-related offenses. After just one year, he is now back home with his family. Here’s how we did it.

The Charges and Initial Situation

Our client was arrested and charged with attempted murder, shooting at an inhabited dwelling, and other gun-related offenses. The most serious charge, attempted murder, was accompanied by an allegation of premeditation and deliberation, which carried the possibility of a life sentence with the possibility of parole. Additionally, because a gun was fired during the alleged incident, an enhancement added an additional 20 years to the potential sentence. In total, he was facing over 30 years to life in prison.

Given the gravity of the charges, this case required an experienced defense team. Our firm, Kersey Law, was recommended to the client’s family by another attorney, and after an initial strategy session, they decided to retain our services.

Bail and Pre-Trial Challenges

Despite strong ties to the community and numerous letters of support, our client was denied bail due to the seriousness of the charges. While it’s always preferable to have a client out on bail during trial preparations, we had to adapt our strategy to work with him while he was detained.

Being in custody presents challenges, but it also drives us to work efficiently and thoroughly. We prioritize understanding our client’s story beyond the police reports. We delve into their background, education, work history, and personal challenges to build a complete picture of who they are, which is crucial in crafting a defense strategy.

Building the Defense

In reviewing the evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and video footage, we confirmed that our client had indeed discharged a firearm. However, our client maintained that he acted in self-defense. According to him, the alleged victim had made prior threats and was armed during the altercation. Our client was captured on security footage walking backward, attempting to de-escalate the situation before drawing his weapon in response to the alleged victim reaching for a gun.

This defense formed the cornerstone of our strategy as we prepared for the preliminary hearing. At this critical stage, the judge decides if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. The alleged victim testified during this hearing and admitted to reaching for a gun, corroborating our client’s account to some extent.

Negotiations and Resolution

Our client was prepared to take the case to trial, but the risk of a life sentence was a significant concern. After lengthy discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of the case, we agreed that exploring a plea deal might be in his best interest.

We compiled a comprehensive mitigation packet for the District Attorney, including letters of support, a detailed mitigation report prepared by our investigator, and a plan for our client’s future to demonstrate his commitment to rehabilitation. This packet was essential in balancing the negative portrayal in the police reports with our client’s positive attributes and potential for a productive future.

After several weeks of negotiation, the DA agreed to a deal where our client would plead guilty to lesser charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a loaded firearm, in exchange for dismissing the attempted murder charge. The deal included time already served, allowing our client to avoid a life sentence and get back to his family after just under a year in custody.

Teamwork and Gratitude

This case was a team effort. Our paralegal Marisa, law clerk Daniel, investigator Christina, and assistant Pati all played vital roles in preparing and presenting our client’s case. Their dedication and skill were instrumental in achieving this favorable outcome.

We are also grateful for the cooperation and understanding of the DA, who recognized the mitigating factors and agreed to a just resolution.

Conclusion

This case exemplifies the importance of a robust defense strategy, thorough preparation, and teamwork. If you or someone you know is facing serious charges in California, contact Kersey Law for a free initial strategy session. We’re here to help guide you through the legal process and work toward the best possible outcome.

Thank you for taking the time to read about this case. We hope it provides insight into how we fight for our clients and achieve justice in even the most challenging situations.

Picture of Meet Jamahl Kersey

Meet Jamahl Kersey

Jamahl Kersey is a distinguished criminal defense attorney and the principal attorney at Kersey Law, a boutique law firm in San Diego. With a focus on criminal defense, Jamahl has built a reputation for his unwavering dedication to protecting his clients' rights and securing favorable outcomes in complex cases. Known for his strategic approach and thorough understanding of the law, he has successfully defended clients against various charges, including sex crimes and other serious offenses.

Beyond his legal practice, Jamahl is committed to supporting his community and providing educational resources to help individuals understand their legal rights. He regularly engages in discussions about criminal justice reform and is passionate about empowering young people to navigate potential legal challenges. Jamahl's dedication to his clients and community has established him as a trusted advocate and leader in the San Diego legal community.

More Articles from Criminal Defense Attorney Jamahl Kersey
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Strengthen your defense strategy in just 10 minutes per week.

Join 1,000+ clients gaining evidence-backed legal advice, first-hand experience, and ‘what’s working now’ strategies to build a strong defense.

Contact Kersey Law Today for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime, don’t wait to get help. Contact Kersey Law today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and develop a defense strategy designed to protect your rights, your license, and your future.

Call us today at 619-329-8385 or fill out our online form to get started.

Why Kersey Law is the Right Choice for High-Stakes Criminal Defense

  • Protecting Your Reputation and Career—We Know What’s at Stake

    When your career, reputation, and future are on the line, there’s no room for mistakes. At Kersey Law, we understand that losing is not an option. We take a proactive and discreet approach to every case, ensuring your professional standing is safeguarded at every step. Your case will be handled with the utmost confidentiality, ensuring that your public and private life remain intact. For clients with the highest stakes, we focus on delivering the exceptional outcomes you deserve.

  • 24/7 Availability—We Are Here When You Need Us Most

    Legal emergencies don’t wait for business hours, and neither do we. As a client of Kersey Law, you’ll have access to 24/7 availability for urgent matters. We’re here when you need us, ensuring that critical situations are addressed immediately. Whether it’s the middle of the night or the weekend, you can count on us to be there and act quickly. This level of support is vital when everything is on the line.

  • Our Experience—Proven Results in High-Stakes Cases

    Kersey Law has defended nearly every type of criminal accusation, from misdemeanors to capital offenses. Whether you’re facing charges like Sexual Assault, DWI, or even Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, our team has the experience and expertise to handle the most complex, high-stakes cases. We’ve built a proven track record of success in defending clients whose futures depend on the outcome. Trust us to use every tool at our disposal to fight for you.

  • We Return All Phone Calls Within Hours—Because Your Case Deserves Immediate Attention

    Unlike many firms that leave clients waiting for days or weeks, we have a strict 24-hour callback policy. Your calls will be returned within hours, ensuring that you’re never left in the dark. We understand the urgency of your situation, and we pride ourselves on keeping the lines of communication open. Your case is our top priority, and you’ll always know where things stand.

  • Strategic, Relentless Defense—We Go Above and Beyond

    At Kersey Law, we go above and beyond to provide a strategic, personalized defense tailored to your specific situation. Our attorneys take the time to fully understand your case and work tirelessly to develop a strategy that aligns with your goals. We’re relentless in our pursuit of the best possible outcomes and leave no stone unturned in defending your rights and future. When you hire us, you can rest assured that your case is in the hands of a legal team committed to delivering excellence.

When everything is on the line, you need a legal team that will protect your future, fight tirelessly for the best outcome, and be by your side at every step.

See what others have to say about Building a Winning Defense Strategy that Protects Your Future.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

I have no other words to describe Kersey Law group but “”Superb grateful excellent!!””. I’m tearing up writing this because when you are in a difficult situation and you hope and pray that you can have full confidence that your lawyer will truly have your back and take care of you - this was our experience 110% with Kersey. The professionalism Kersey brought to the table, his expertise with confidence and even kindness cannot be matched. He was not only considerate, but takes the time to communicate fully, detailed on what’s needed and does an amazing job handling our case. We truly are very thankful and are appreciative of such a stellar law firm. God bless you.
Truly amazing experience! In our time of need Michelle Boss, Marisa, and Nathan came through for us (my nephew and I) in a major way. All charges were dropped and we were able to resume our lives. This team actually cares, were very attentive, the pricing was more than reasonable and they communicated with us every step of the way. Marisa, Nathan and Michelle definitely put my initially fears and doubts about our situation to rest as we proceeded with our case. I had total confidence in my team and the desired outcome was met. If you ever find yourself in need I highly recommend this law firm.
These people save lives. I was tossed into the absolute worst moment of my life and found the wisdom and generous and attentive care I so desperately needed. I can’t begin to explain my gratitude towards this firm. I went into this situation expecting the state to not listen to what I had to say and feared for the outcome would result in the loss of precious time and the weight of scrutiny I would face from family and my pears. Mr. Kersey swept all of my troubles away by acknowledging and understanding my situation and delivering on fast and easy outcome for myself as well as the other party. He took a messy situation and allowed myself and everyone involved to walk away smiling. Obviously the best course of action in life is to not be in this situation, but if you do find yourself where I was, I highly recommend Mr. Kersey. Honest, genuine, tough and highly motivated. Thank you guys so much God Bless!!

Schedule Your FREE Strategy Session Today

In just 1 hour, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to turn your defense into an unstoppable force that can give you the most favorable outcome for your case (no obligation to move forward!).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Scroll to Top