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Notable Case Results
Links to news coverage of high profile cases are listed below:
JURY TRIAL - ELEVEN CLASS 'A' FELONIES - NOT GUILTY OF ALL ELEVEN CHARGES
In this trial, my client was charged with of 2 Counts of Attempted Murder, 5 Counts of Robbery and 4 other charges, but after a week long trial, the jury found him 'not guilty' of all 11 charges. He had spent several years in jail awaiting trial. The Tuscaloosa News reported: "Since his arrest in February, 2012, Donald has adamantly maintained his innocence in this case," defense attorney Mike Upton said. "We are pleased that the jury's verdict echoes Donald's innocence." Testimony in a subsequent trial revealed that my client was never at the crime scene, just as he had told the police in a voluntary statement.
JURY TRIAL - CAPITAL MURDER - NOT GUILTY
Client avoided both the death penalty and life without parole. "From the beginning, Lequincey voluntarily accepted responsibility for the shooting, but adamantly denied that a robbery took place," Upton said Friday. "Today's verdict finding him not guilty of capital murder validates our contention all along."
CAPITAL MURDER - CASE DISMISSED AFTER PRELIMINARY HEARING
"Mr. Woods is extremely happy to be released from jail and be reunited with his family," said his attorney, Michael J. Upton, stressing the importance of the preliminary hearing: "Mr. Woods might likely still be in jail for a crime in which he had absolutely no involvement. I've never been happier to deliver news to a client in jail, and to his family."
CAPITAL MURDER - CASE NO-BILLED BY THE GRAND JURY AFTER PRELIMINARY HEARING.
In this case, after the Preliminary Hearing, the State moved forward but declined to prosecute based upon weaknesses in the case revealed at the hearing by lead defense attorney Michael J. Upton. Mr. Caddell was released from jail, and avoided prosecution for a case that could have resulted in either the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.
JURY TRIAL - CAPITAL MURDER - MISTRIAL
Jurors failed to reached a verdict after the first trial. Prior to the second trial, the prosecutor offered a reduced charge of Burglary in the 2nd Degree and a settlement was reached. Client avoided both the death penalty and life without parole. He served 3 years in prison and was released in 2015. "Michael Upton, who represented Garrison, said that his client is remorseful for his role in the crime. "Phillip and his family are relieved to get this matter behind them, so that he can move forward with his life when he is released three years from now," he said. "The manner in which Ms. Gilbert died was one of the most tragic I've seen in my 19 years of practicing law. Since Phillip's arrest, the facts surrounding his level of involvement were in dispute."
JURY TRIAL - RAPE FIRST DEGREE - NOT GUILTY
"Attorney Michael Upton, who represented White, said a juror told him after the trial that there were too many contradictions in the evidence to convict White. "Since Mr. White's arrest in July 2012, just a few days after the alleged incident, he has adamantly maintained his innocence and lack of involvement in this matter," Upton said. "Mr. White got his day in court, actually his week in court, and this case is a great example of how our court system and constitutional right to a trial by jury are supposed to properly function."
JURY TRIAL - RAPE FIRST DEGREE - MISTRIAL - CHARGE SUBSEQUENTLY DISMISSED.
In that case, I had previously provided a quote after the preliminary hearing: "Mike Upton, representing Childs, said he believes the evidence will clear his client. "Two of the three complaining witnesses could not make a positive photo identification of Christopher Childs, and there is also no physical evidence to support his involvement," he said. "We are confident that DNA testing of the items that were collected to support the rape accusation will ultimately establish Christopher's innocence."
CAPITAL MURDER - NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT FOR MANSLAUGHTER - CLIENT SERVED 4 YEARS AND RELEASED FROM JAIL.
"John is obviously relieved to soon put this chapter of his life behind him," his attorney, Michael Upton wrote in an e-mail Wednesday. "John had maintained his innocence all along, and we were prepared to defend John at trial if necessary. After serving over three and a half years in jail awaiting trial without bond, however, no jury verdict would have given John back that time...it was in John's best interests to resolve the case and move on with his life, especially in light of the risks inherent in any criminal trial. John's mom looks forward to having her son home again."
Other Notable Case Results:
State v. Thomas: NOT GUILTY of Robbery 1st after only 25 minutes of deliberation.
State v. Snipes: NOT GUILTY of Attempted Murder.
State v. Hall: NOT GUILTY of Promoting Prison Contraband.
State v. Maddox: Charged with Capital Murder. Negotiated settlement for Manslaughter.
State v. Dismuke: Accused of Murder. Negotiated settlement for Manslaughter. Served 4 yrs.
Practice specialties:
- All Felonies & Misdemeanors, Anywhere in Alabama, including:
- All Drug Offenses (Trafficking, Distribution / Sale, Possession of Marijuana, Controlled Substances, etc)
- Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol and/or Drugs)
- Driver License Suspension or Revocation (Department of Public Safety)
- Violent Crimes (e.g. Murder, Manslaughter, Robbery, Rape, Assault, Kidnapping, Burglary)
- All Alcohol Offenses, including "Diversion" or "Deferred Prosecution" cases
- Public Intoxication
- Open Container
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol (M.I.P.)
- Improper I.D.
- Youthful Offender cases
- Probation / Probation Revocation
- Community Corrections cases
- Second Chance cases
- Bond Revocation cases
- Preliminary Hearings
- Bond Reduction Hearings
- Arraignments
- All Traffic Offenses, including CDL and Overweight Truck tickets
- All Theft charges
- Worthless Checks (NWNI)
- Judicial Affairs (e.g. University of Alabama, Stillman College)
- Personal Injury
- Auto Wrecks with Injuries
- 18 Wheeler Accident with Injuries
- EXPUNGEMENT (clear your arrest record in certain cases)
[There are several criminal courts in Tuscaloosa County]
- Tuscaloosa Municipal Court
- Tuscaloosa County District Court
- Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court
- Tuscaloosa County Drug Court
- Northport Municipal Court
- Brookwood Municipal Court
- Lakeview Municipal Court
To schedule your free consultation, contact me via any of the following methods you choose:
- Text me at 205.799.3800
- Email me at mjulaw@gmail.com
- Voicemail at 205.799.3800
