Grand Juries And Felony Charges

High School Coach D.H.I. was indicted for having sex with one of his 15 year-old female student athletes. Prior to the time he came in to visit with Mr. Pelley, D.H.I. had hired and fired 3-4 other lawyers and paid them a lot of money he never got back. The District Attorney was adamant that he wanted D.H.I. to go to prison and refused to offer probation. Prior to hiring Mr. Pelley, D.H.I. was jailed for months for violating his bond conditions by getting caught with the alleged victim in his truck. D.H.I. later reported to Mr. Pelley that the judge told him, "If I see you again, I am going to bury you under the jail."

Unhappy with his prior 3-4 lawyers and facing 20 years in prison and a lifetime of registration as a sex offender, D.H.I. hired Mr. Pelley. Mr. Pelley set the matter for a jury trial after doing his own independent investigation. After Mr. Pelley got both cases dismissed prior to trial, D.H.I.'s parting words to him were simply, "Thank you. Hiring you was the best decision I ever made."

- D.H.I.

Result: Dismissed

Facing certain deportation following 20 years in prison for Sexual Assault of a Child, W.P.'s family hired Mr. Pelley immediately after the 14 year-old complaining witness reported that W.P. had repeatedly raped her against her will. W.P. was not a U.S. Citizen and the complaining witness told the detective that she was drugged before she was raped by C.W.

Mr. Pelley used his extensive experience of exactly how to address these allegations at the Grand Jury meeting. Our defense team obtained a "No Bill" by the Grand Jury and charges were dismissed. Result: Case "No-Billed" by the Grand Jury and case dismissed.

G.W. was accused of an enhanced 1st degree felony and faced 99 years up to lifetime confinement in prison. He immediately hired us. "A packet" was prepared and submitted to the Grand Jury in Collin County of which G.W. stated "saved my life." Result: Grand Jury "no-billed" The Case; Charges Dropped.

While her parents were in the beginning stages of a divorce, a young girl made the allegation that her father had been molesting and raping her. The girl and her mother moved out and into another county. They would not legally have been allowed to do so without this false allegation that left B.R. facing 99 years up to life in prison. B.R. immediately hired us, and we submitted a very thorough "packet" to the Grand Jury.Result: Grand Jury "no-billed" The Case; Charges Dropped.

C.B. was accused of sexually molesting his step-daughter in two separate North Texas counties over a long period of time. As such, the range of punishment would have been enhanced to a minimum of 25 years confinement up to life in all cases with no possibility of probation if C.B. were to lose at trial! C.B. hired Mr. Pelley when the allegations first arose. Mr. Pelley and staff prepared a very thorough Grand Jury packet and submitted it to the District Attorneys' offices in both Counties prior to the Grand Jury meetings. Result: All 5 Cases Were Refused By Both Of The District Attorneys' Offices After Reviewing Our "packet."

J.T. was accused of sexual assaulting his young step-daughter on many occasions. A police detective made repeated attempts to contact J.T. and conveyed to the complainant's mother that she believed that the young girl had been raped by J.T. Instead of following his feelings and contacting the detective, he came to the office and hired us. J.T. was facing a minimum of 25 years and up to life. Our office intervened, and the investigation was closed within 2 short months.Result: Charges Dropped.

A young girl made a report to the authorities that T.L. had raped her. T.L. came to the office and we notified the police and the District Attorney's office that we represented T.L. Approximately 3 months after our firm contacted the D.A., the charges were refused and T.L. walked free.Result: District Attorney Refused The Case; Charges Dropped.

A very young girl made an allegation that her father had been raping her for most of her life. Client hired us, and he was facing up to 99 years or life in prison. The District Attorney's office made T.H. a plea offer of 35 years confinement in the Texas Department of Correctional Facilities ("the pen"). Accordingly, we set the matter for trial. The morning of trial, standing in the courtroom that same District Attorney made the announcement in open court that all charges were dismissed.Result: District Attorney Dismissed The Case; Charges Dropped.

A woman that our client worked with was mad at D.D. and called the police and claimed that he sexually assaulted her at work. A detective contacted him, but we had represented him before on a civil matter so he scheduled an appointment with us first. Based on the allegations in this case, the detective would most certainly have had D.D. arrested if he would have spoken with him first and he would be facing 20 years confinement. Instead, we intervened and he was never arrested.

Result: Grand Jury "no-billed" The Case; Charges Dropped.

D.K. was arrested after his daughter made an allegation that he was sexually assaulting her. She had severe mental disabilities. Unfortunately, bail was set at $250,000 and D.K. did not have adequate funds to both hire an attorney to defend him against these allegations that could result in him receiving a life sentence. D.K.'s wife hired our firm to file a Writ of Habeas Corpus--Motion to Reduce Bond. Within days, the bond was reduced down to only $500 and shortly after D.K.'s family hired our firm to file the Writ and explain the weaknesses of the State's case to the DA, the case was refused by the DA.Result: Charges Dismissed And Case Refused Before The Grand Jury Even Met.