From attempted murder charges to a new life: how we helped a teen immigrant clear his name
DISCLAIMER: The results are specific to the facts and legal circumstances of each of the clients’ cases and should not be used to form an expectation that the same results could be obtained for other clients in similar matters without reference to the specific factual and legal circumstances of each client’s case.
Charged with Attempted Murder at 17, Now He’s a Free Man on His Way to Citizenship
At Izquierdo Law Firm, we believe in second chances and in fighting for those who feel like the system has already given up on them. That was the case for a 17-year-old immigrant who came to the U.S. hoping for a better life, only to find himself facing adult charges for attempted murder and armed robbery.
What happened next is a story of strength, strategy, and one of the biggest victories of our career.
A Dream Interrupted by a Terrifying Choice
Our client fled gang violence in his home country and came to the U.S. to build a future. Like many immigrants, he hoped to gain legal residency and, one day, citizenship.
But his journey nearly ended when he was arrested at age 17 for attempted murder and armed robbery, accused of shooting two people during a failed robbery. The entire incident was caught on video.
At first glance, the evidence looked damning. But once we met with him at the juvenile detention center, we knew there was more to the story.
The Truth: He was coerced by a gang
Our client wasn’t a violent criminal. He was a scared teenager, coerced at gunpoint by a well-known gang member.
That gang member gave him two choices:
- Hand over everything he had, or
- Go rob someone else and bring it back.
When our client refused, the gang member pulled a gun and said, “I’m in a gang. I’ll kill you and your family.”
He felt trapped. So he followed orders. Not out of malice, but out of fear for his life and the safety of his family.
No One Believed Him, Except Us
Prosecutors rotated in and out of the case. None of them believed his story. Other attorneys might have pushed him to take a plea deal. But we didn’t.
We said: “Let’s take it to trial.”
For five days, we told his full story in court. We showed the jury who he really was, a teenager under duress, not a violent criminal.
The Verdict: Not Guilty on All Charges
After just 45 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on both attempted murder and armed robbery charges.
- No conviction
- No prison time
- Full exoneration
- A second chance at life in the U.S.
“I stuck with him. I believed him from day one,” said Attorney Daniel Izquierdo. “And when the time came, we made sure a jury heard the truth and gave him his life back.”
Today, He’s Building the Future He Always Wanted
With his name cleared, our client was able to obtain legal status in the United States. He’s now on a path to citizenship and thriving.
Do You Find Yourself In Need Of A Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you’ve recently found yourself in need of an experienced criminal defense attorney in Miami you should contact me as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact me online or to call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You can also request my free book “The Ultimate Guide To Fighting Criminal Charges In Florida”, a detailed download discussing the myths, rumors and hearsay often associated with criminal charges, what to expect from your criminal court proceedings and important steps you must take to battle your charges.