Case Results

Criminal Defense Results | Disability Results

Criminal Defense Results

3-day sentence for multiple DUIs. H.T. had two DUIs pending, one in Montgomery County and one in Bucks County, and faced a mandatory 3 days to 6 months plus a mandatory 90 days to 5 years in jail. Attorney Marr had both offenses treated as first offenses. H.T. served 3 days in jail and 3 days on house arrest with no ankle monitor.
Not guilty, third-offense DUI (drugs). Police alleged the client was driving under the influence of drugs. Reviewing the blood results, Mr. Mallis found the client had prescription medication in his blood. The client rejected a plea to house arrest and went to trial, where Mr. Mallis showed the blood levels were consistent with prescription use. After a two-day jury trial: NOT GUILTY.
Third-offense DUI dismissed, client was not driving. Facing a mandatory minimum of one year, the client had been seated in a parked, stationary vehicle outside an establishment that served alcohol. Mr. Mallis argued the client was not in actual physical control: the engine was on, but the car was parked in a spot, the lights were off, and nothing suggested the vehicle was ever driven. The Court agreed and dismissed all charges.
DUI charges dropped and ARD. Husband and wife were both charged after police believed the husband was driving before an accident and the wife moved the car afterward. The husband had prior DUIs and faced significant jail time. All charges against the husband were dropped, and the wife entered ARD for 6 months.
Work release for three separate DUIs. A client charged with 3 DUIs in 2 counties within one year, all highest-tier, faced a one-year mandatory, a 90-day mandatory and a 72-hour mandatory, and one case involved a serious accident. She served only 90 days on work release and kept her job throughout.
Second-offense DUI dismissed in York County. The client faced a 90-day minimum. The case was dismissed at the preliminary hearing when the officer could not prove the client operated the vehicle.
DUI dismissed after unlawful traffic stop. The client was stopped by a state trooper who claimed failure to use a turn signal. On cross-examination at the preliminary hearing, the trooper admitted the stop was based on his suspicion the driver was DUI suspended, and no turn signal violation was proven. Charges dismissed via motion to suppress.
DUI and false ID charges withdrawn. A 19-year-old was charged with DUI and possessing a false identification card. Although ARD eligible on the DUI, the firm presented the law to the officer and District Attorney, who agreed to withdraw the DUI; the client received ARD on the false ID. No loss of license and no first-offense DUI or ARD, saving thousands in costs and fees. S.T. 2018
Not guilty on assault charges. Twenty years old with no prior record, Mr. Mallis’s client was charged with simple assault against two neighbors in the apartment below and faced jail time. At a two-day trial Mr. Mallis showed complete self-defense: a longstanding feud between the neighbors, and video surveillance footage proving the client was attacked first. NOT GUILTY of all charges.
Not guilty on aggravated assault. Nineteen years old with no prior criminal history, the client faced up to seven years and was offered 2.5 to 5 years’ imprisonment before trial. He rejected it. Mr. Mallis showed the client acted in self-defense, and after a four-day trial the jury found him NOT GUILTY of all charges. He walked free with no jail time.
Domestic violence charges thrown out. The client was charged with felony assault after police alleged he strangled his girlfriend. On cross-examination Mr. Mallis showed the accuser was lying to police: a four-month delay in filing the report, no photographs of injuries, no hospitalization, no witnesses, no 911 call. All charges were dismissed after the preliminary hearing and the client was released from prison.
Domestic simple assault charges dismissed. After a hearing where evidence and testimony were presented, the entire case was dismissed by Judge Leonard Brown.
Not guilty on gun charges in Philadelphia. After an unannounced parole agent visit and a search of his home, the client was charged with unlawful possession of two assault-style rifles found in his bedroom, and faced a state parole violation if convicted. At a three-hour bench trial Mr. Mallis showed the rifles were hidden behind a door and the client had no knowledge they were there. NOT GUILTY, and the parole violation was avoided.
Firearm ruled inadmissible after unlawful vehicle search. Stopped for a routine traffic violation, the client’s vehicle was impounded and searched without a warrant, and a firearm was found. Mr. Mallis moved to suppress, arguing there was no legal basis to impound the vehicle and subject it to an inventory search, and that his client had the lawful right to drive away. The Court agreed, calling it “nothing short of a police-attempt to gain access to a vehicle without securing a proper search warrant,” and ruled the firearm INADMISSIBLE at trial.
Greatly reduced sentence, person not to possess a firearm. M.S. faced a state sentence of 5 to 10 years. Attorney Marr presented mitigating factors and the client received a county sentence of 12 months less one day to 24 months less 2 days, a deviation from the sentencing guidelines that had never been granted in that county or by that judge before.
Drug charges dismissed in Bucks County. The client was driving a vehicle involved in a major Pennsylvania State Police drug sting; police found over 2 kilograms of cocaine in the trunk along with multiple firearms, cash and plastic bags, and charged him with possession with intent to deliver. On the eve of trial the Commonwealth offered 1 to 2 years in state prison and the offer was rejected. After a day-long suppression hearing, Mr. Mallis showed police lacked probable cause to search the vehicle. Charges dismissed, no jail time, no conviction.
22 months instead of 5 to 10 years. C.W., a middle-aged woman, was charged with drug delivery resulting in death, with guidelines calling for 5 to 10 years in the standard range. Through Attorney Marr’s efforts and the Court’s response, she served 22 and a half months and is now home with her family.
House arrest instead of a 3 to 6 year prison term. The client was charged with felony delivery of drugs and illegal gun possession and faced a mandatory 3 to 6 years in state prison. He was sentenced to one year of house arrest.
Unlawful drug possession dismissed in Montgomery County. Stopped for speeding, the client was found with narcotics medication and charged with unlawful drug possession. At a short bench trial Mr. Mallis showed the client was prescribed the medication at the time of arrest. All charges dismissed and the client found NOT guilty.
Acquittal on felony armed robbery in Bucks County. The client was charged with armed robbery, witness intimidation, kidnapping and related felonies. After a four-day jury trial he was acquitted of the most serious felony charges and released from prison. On cross-examination Mr. Mallis showed the Commonwealth’s star witness’s testimony was riddled with lies. “The Commonwealth’s ultimate obligation in a criminal prosecution is to seek justice and truth,” Mallis argued, adding that the Commonwealth shirked that obligation and that the jury saw through the witness’s lies and deceit.
Release from prison, conspiracy to commit murder in Philadelphia. Young and with zero prior contact with the criminal justice system, the client was charged in Philadelphia County with conspiracy to commit attempted murder. After reviewing hundreds of police reports, transcripts and witness statements, Mr. Mallis showed the prosecutor their case rested on the testimony of co-defendants who were convicted liars and thieves. “My client wasn’t even present at the scene of the shooting,” Mallis told a reporter for the Legal Intelligencer. The outcome secured the client’s immediate release from prison. In his father’s words: “My kid was facing some serious charges. Because of Paul, my kid is home for the Holidays.”
Vehicular homicide dismissed at the preliminary hearing. The government claimed the client’s reckless driving caused an accident resulting in death, carrying a mandatory minimum of 3 to 6 years. Mr. Mallis showed the client’s driving was not the actual cause: a mechanical defect caused him to lose control of the vehicle. With no causal link between the driving and the death, the Court dismissed all charges at the preliminary hearing.
Retail theft dismissed for a college student. The firm convinced both the police officer and the store’s loss prevention representative to approve dismissal in exchange for 20 hours of community service. The case never reached common pleas court and the client was never processed or fingerprinted.
All criminal trespass charges dismissed. A.B. and M.N. were both charged with criminal trespass. After a hearing before the District Court, Attorney Marr prevailed and all charges were dismissed for both clients, sparing them fines, costs, possible jail time and a criminal record.
One year of probation instead of 7 years in jail. K.J. was charged with felony stalking in Lehigh County. Through negotiation with the ADA, Attorney Marr had the charge reduced to a third-degree misdemeanor with one year of probation, in place of a felony conviction and up to 7 years of potential jail time.
Not guilty on resisting arrest. After missing a court appearance on a separate, insignificant case, the client voluntarily turned himself in to the Northampton County Sheriff’s Department to lift a bench warrant. Instead of taking him upstairs to the courtroom, 4 armed deputies tried to take him into custody, and he sustained a rotator cuff injury to his left shoulder. He was charged with resisting arrest and related offenses. After a 4-day jury trial involving video evidence, Mr. Mallis showed the arrest was unlawful and that police used excessive force. NOT GUILTY of all charges.
Child abuse investigation closed with no charges filed. A teacher of more than 10 years was accused of sexual molestation of a student after a child-line report alleged inappropriate contact with a student under 18. Mr. Mallis hired a private investigator and established the contact did not begin until after the student turned 18, and had his client take a sexual history polygraph that showed no deceit or deception. After a ten-month investigation, police agreed the investigation had been misled from the start, found no wrongdoing, and closed it without filing any charges.

Disability Results

Every client below had been denied benefits before coming to the firm. Ages reflect the Social Security classifications applied to each claim.

Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine; right inguinal hernia. James A., 33, denied in Pennsylvania. Unskilled physical laborer in construction. Right-sided groin pain and lower back pain with difficulty performing household chores and social activities. Obtained both disability and SSI benefits.
Lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, status post surgery; cervical spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy; fibromyalgia. Robin C., 50 to 54 (approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Administrator in the financial industry. Severe leg pain and numbness radiating down the left leg, leg weakness, and difficulty sitting, bending, lifting, twisting and standing. Benefits obtained.
Disorders of the spine; post-laminectomy at L3-4 with peripheral neuropathies; morbid obesity. Valanna D., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Generally unskilled work history. Numbness and tingling in the hands and difficulty sitting or standing for extended periods. Benefits obtained.
Rheumatoid arthritis; obesity. Theresa F., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Joint pain, pain in the bilateral fingers and hands, and pain while sitting and standing. Benefits obtained.
Degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees; obesity. Patricia F., over 54 (advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Knee pain and back pain. Benefits obtained.
Cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy. Ruthann G., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Administrative assistant and account checker. Neck pain radiating through the arms with pain in the hands and fingers. Benefits obtained.
Right hip dysfunction. Eric H., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Very limited work history due to incarceration. Right hip pain, diagnosed as major dysfunction of the right hip. Benefits obtained.
Cervical radiculopathy. Patricia L., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Chronic neck and right shoulder pain with persistent numbness in the right hand. Benefits obtained.
Panic disorder; depressive disorder; herniated nucleus pulposus; lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy; lumbar stenosis; post-laminectomy syndrome; thoracic compression deformity; osteoarthritis of the right hip; degenerative joint disease. Matthew L., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Construction work history. Lower back pain radiating into both legs with anxiety and depression. Benefits obtained.
Degenerative disc disease with lumbar radiculopathy; diabetes with peripheral neuropathy; obesity. Patricia M., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and file clerk. Intractable low back pain with tingling in the hands and feet secondary to neuropathy. Benefits obtained.
Disorder of the spine; peripheral neuropathy. Laurie R., 50 to 54 (approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Significant lower back pain, neck pain radiating to the right upper extremity, and numbness in both hands. Benefits obtained.
Lumbar and cervical degenerative disc changes; bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome; depression. Denise S., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Industrial truck operator, industrial cleaner and bindery worker. Severe neck pain radiating to the arms with anxiety and depression. Benefits obtained.
Musculoskeletal disorders including post-cervical and lumbar fusions. Marianne S., over 55 (advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Neck and lower back pain with numbness in the right leg, both arms and hands. Benefits obtained.
Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine; degenerative joint disease; obesity. Melinda F., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), originally denied in New York, where the firm assumed representation before the claim transferred to Pennsylvania. Left-side neck pain with radiating pain in the upper left extremity and numbness and weakness in the left hand. Benefits obtained.
Degenerative disc disease; arthritis. Rosanne S., over 55 (older individual), denied benefits. Secretary, stock supervisor and mail carrier. Pain in the hands, knees and back with numbness in the feet and hands. Benefits obtained.
Adjustment disorder; depressive disorder; anxiety; histrionic personality traits; lumbar disc disease; Raynaud’s disease. Molena C., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Day care worker and babysitter. Severe anxiety, back pain and numbness in the hands and feet. Benefits obtained.
Bipolar disorder; anxiety disorder; history of poly-substance abuse in remission; personality disorder; herniation of the lumbar disc at L5-S1 with chronic bilateral low back pain. Barbara E., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Anxiety, panic attacks and chronic pain in the low back and bilateral lower extremities. Benefits obtained.
Anxiety; major depressive disorder; bilateral knee arthritis; PTSD with morbid obesity. Lisa G., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Sporadic work history in generally unskilled jobs for limited periods. Severe anxiety, depression and severe knee pain. Benefits obtained.
Cervical spine post-laminectomy syndrome; cervical degenerative disc disease; PTSD with disassociated symptoms; panic disorder; adjustment disorder with depression. John H., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Physical laborer. Severe lower back pain radiating through the legs with depression and anxiety. Benefits obtained.
Traumatic brain injury; adjustment disorder; personality disorder; occasional cannabis use. Chad L., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Sporadic history of primarily unskilled physical work. Difficulty learning and concentrating with extreme anxiety, panic and mood disorders. Benefits obtained.
Intellectual disability; intermittent explosive disorder; organic mental disorder. David R., 50 to 54 (approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Little to no prior work history. Difficulty understanding and focusing, lack of impulse control, and cognitive processing issues. Benefits obtained.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease with bilateral radiculopathy; major depressive disorder; PTSD; history of poly-substance dependence in remission. Kimberly S., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Cashier and other unskilled non-physical labor. Lower back pain with radiculopathy, primarily on the left side, with severe anxiety and depression. Benefits obtained.
Asthma; bipolar disorder; PTSD. Miryam R., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Difficulty breathing, mood swings, anxiety and depression. Benefits obtained.
Seizure disorder; borderline intellectual functioning. Michael H., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. No prior work history. Uncontrolled seizures including nocturnal seizures, along with a learning disability. Benefits obtained.
Idiopathic dysautonomia. Nancy H., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Overwhelming weakness, lightheadedness, fatigue, racing heart, chest tightness and dizziness. Benefits obtained.
Left knee dysfunction; cerebral palsy; substance addiction disorder in remission. Theresa L., 50 to 54 (approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Teacher. Left knee pain and lack of dexterity in both hands. Benefits obtained.
Multiple sclerosis; lumbar degenerative disc disease; diabetes mellitus; obesity. Jennifer M., under 50 (younger individual). Primarily customer service and clerical work. Lower back pain, hand pain and dexterity issues, equilibrium problems and fatigue. Benefits obtained.
Vertigo; Meniere’s disease. Daria S., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. U.S. Postal Service. Uncontrolled dizziness and vomiting with numbness and right-side tinnitus. Benefits obtained.
Miller-Fisher variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Lesly E., over 55 (advanced age), denied benefits. Teacher and school administrator. A history of double vision and unsteadiness marked by fatigue, low stamina, persistent acute palsy affecting sensation of foot position with hyperextension of the lower extremity, along with tingling in the hands, eye droop and an unsteady gait, all in remission when the firm assumed representation. Benefits obtained.
Hypertension; lumbar degenerative disc disease; mitral regurgitation; concentric left ventricular hypertrophy; depression. Norman B., 50 to 54 (approaching advanced age), denied in New Jersey. Limited previous work history doing generally unskilled work, with a history of substance abuse. Shortness of breath, back pain, depression and difficulty sleeping. Benefits obtained.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; recurring migraine headaches. Michael D., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Insurance agent and owner. Shortness of breath with chest pain and frequent headaches. Benefits obtained.
MRSA infections; asthma; bipolar affective disorder. Rose F., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Hairdresser with attendance difficulties. MRSA infections, asthma, lack of concentration and anxiety. Benefits obtained.
Coronary artery disease; restrictive lung disease; degenerative disc disease; lumbar spine disease; obesity; anxiety; migraine headaches. Karen H., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Licensed practical nurse and office worker. Depression, anxiety, chest pain, fatigue, lumbar back pain and migraines. Benefits obtained.
Cardiac arrhythmia. Shannon M., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Medical secretary. Shortness of breath, chest pain, heart palpitations and dizziness. The firm continued representation after she moved to Florida. Benefits obtained.
Osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees; COPD; ganglion cyst in the left shoulder; depression; anxiety; PTSD. Bruce P., over 55 (advanced age), denied in New Jersey. Sales manager. Extreme anxiety, mood disorder, difficulty concentrating, difficulty lifting with the non-dominant left arm, and pain. Benefits obtained in New Jersey.
Ileoanal anastomosis with residual bowel incontinence; episodic vertigo; severe spinal stenosis at L4-L5 and L5-S1; degenerative disc disease. Debra A., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. LPN and later RN. Severe stomach pain, residual bowel incontinence, episodic dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches and paresthesia in the hands and feet. Benefits obtained.
Residual pain from diabetes affecting the hands and feet. Gary R., 50 to 54 (closely approaching advanced age), denied in Pennsylvania. Deputy sheriff and security guard. Foot and hand pain and other residual pain from diabetes. Benefits obtained.
Rectal cancer with surgery; history of abdominoperineal colostomy resection; history of stomach wall hernia repair. Albert P., under 50 (younger individual), denied in Pennsylvania. Extreme fatigue and difficulty with bowel control. Benefits obtained.