Battery Trial Results in Acquital of Gymnastics Coach

 Posted on April 16, 2012 in Assault & Battery

My client was accused of having inappropriate contact with a fellow gymnastics instructor and former student.    At trial, I successfully argued that the mental state required in the proving the offense of Battery was not present and that the credibility of the witnesses weighed in favor of my client.   After a trial, a judge acquitted my client of the criminal Battery Charges placed against him.    This protected my client from a punishment that ranged up to one year in jail and would have had a devastating effect on his future coaching career.

Criminal defense trial attorneys should always examine the elements of criminal charges carefully to expose weaknesses in the prosecution's case.    Criminal cases involving sexual assault, battery, and other allegations of personal harm will always involve a complaining victim.   Careful consideration must be given to credibility of these alleged victims in evaluating a criminal case.