Defense Attorney

Avvo Interviews Corso Law Group Founder on Martin Shkreli Case

Martin Shkreli is one of the most talked about men in America right now. In his recent appearance before a congressional committee, Shrekli pleaded the fifth when asked questions about highly increased drug prices.

Christopher Corso, founder of Corso Law Group weighed in on the national controversy and if Martin Shkreli had the right to plead the Fifth in such a serious case.

Does the Fifth Amendment even apply in this situation?

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens from self-incrimination, stating that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” As Shrkeli’s hearing was not a matter of criminal inquiry, was his taking the Fifth an appropriate response?

“[The Fifth Amendment] covers any statement that would tend to give rise to criminal liability on the speaker’s part,” says criminal defense lawyer Christopher Corso, founder of Corso Law Group. “Mr. Shkreli fully had the right to plead the Fifth.” The hearing was more about the ethical than the criminal implications of Shkreli’s actions, but Corso says it comes down to who’s making the determination about what was and was not legal.

“Until you’re with attorneys, you may be [unwittingly] adding information,” cautions Corso, “Answers that may perhaps—even in a miniscule way—open yourself up to criminal liability is a problem. Therefore, he is able to plead the Fifth.”

Did Congress intentionally try to make Shkreli look bad?

Bottom line: No matter what you think of Shkreli, he was not improperly invoking his constitutional rights. “As somebody that advocates for the constitution,” says Corso, “I would say no, the 5th Amendment was not abused.”

Read the full article here: http://stories.avvo.com/rights/did-martin-shkreli-have-the-right-to-plead-the-fifth.html

The “Affluenza” Case: A 2016 Update

Criminal defense attorneys represent a range of cases, but recently, one case caught the media’s attention again, the “Affluenza” case. After killing four people in a drunk driving accident at the age of 16 in 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas, Ethan Couch was convicted of four counts of intoxication manslaughter but was not sentenced to any jail time.

Recently, Ethan Couch and his mother, Tonya Couch went missing after Ethan didn’t show up to a check-in with his probation officer. This resulted in U.S. Marshals releasing a wanted poster and announcing a $5,000 reward for details about Ethan Couch’s location.

After being found in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Ethan Couch and his mother were arrested. Tonya Couch was extradited back to the United States while Ethan remains in Mexico. Questions still remain as to why Ethan and his mother fled to Mexico in the first place.

Either way, the fault of the case seems to be with the prosecution. While the “Affluenza” defense is not common, Ethan’s lawyers presented a case that worked for their client and proved that due to Ethan’s upbringing, there were never any consequences associated with his actions because in his mind, wealth could fix anything.

The irritating factor is that the government seems to have given Ethan a better deal due to the fact that he had money.

It can be difficult to understand cases like this one. It seems that this case was given more consideration by the court due to the money behind it. Prosecutors work on statistics and there are only so many “get out of jail free cards”.

In this situation, the advancement of the arguments continued, then the case went to sentencing where most likely, several politically important people spoke, a crucial factor in any case. However, when looking at this case from a criminal defense perspective, it’s frustrating.

Corso Law Group works with clients all the time that ask, why not me? the end, the state’s decision will not help anyone.

As of now, Ethan Couch remains in Mexico. What will happen when he returns the United States is still in question. After a Mexican judge granted the “Affluenza” teen a temporary stay in Mexico which in return stopped transfer proceedings, it’s difficult to say if he will face jail time in the United States.

10 Steps to Choosing the Right Defense Attorney

To achieve the best possible outcome for a criminal case, hiring an experienced, aggressive defense attorney is essential.

No matter the offense, criminal law is complicated, and the appropriate lawyer is crucial for a successful case. The attorneys at Corso Law Group know this to be true, and offer this 10-step guide to choosing the right defense attorney.

1. Decide which type of attorney you need. This is important because attorneys work in a variety of fields and offer various levels of experience. If you need help with a DUI charge, for example, you need a skilled DUI lawyer, not a family or civil rights attorney, and especially not a public defender.

No matter the charge, the repercussions of a crime can impact your life and livelihood. Although you have the option to represent yourself or settle for a public defender, neither of those are good choices if you want to protect your rights and your future.

An aggressive criminal defense attorney with specialized experience can make a world of difference for your criminal case.

2. Understand what an attorney does. Once you decide which type of lawyer you need for your case, learn about what that specific type of attorney does, understand the services they provide and the areas of defense in which their practice focuses.  

For instance, some of the responsibilities of a DUI defense attorney include helping you decide how to plea, creating a strategic legal plan, gathering and sorting through evidence to help your case and representing you in court.

3. Know the possible outcomes of your criminal case and how an attorney can help. Criminal law covers a vast range of offenses, including misdemeanors, felonies, DUIs, traffic violations and domestic violence, to name a few. All of these charges involve different laws and can lead to different outcomes in court.

A good defense attorney should be able to go over possible outcome of your specific case with you, and discuss plea bargains, how trial works and what happens if you’re found guilty or not guilty.

At Corso Law Group, our attorneys offer guidance, expert advice and sound representation to our clients during every phase of a criminal case, keeping each person well informed and involved in their case.

4. Do your research. If you’re facing potential criminal charges, you need the best possible representation. Don’t settle for just any attorney, and research viable options for your case.

Look at professional accreditation sites, like the Better Business Bureau to review trusted firms in your area.

5. Read specific client reviews. If the firm has client testimonials on their website, these reviews can offer helpful insight into how the attorney you’re considering has interacted with other clients throughout the legal process.

Here is an example of a helpful review from Corso Law Group:

The Best Lawyer in Town. I used this law firm and had a great experience. Great guys, owner stayed late and met with me when I hired. Took the time to explain. A real motivating group, they work hard at what they do. My attorney sat with me for over an hour. No consultation fee at all. Definitely keeping this phone number on my favorites. Thanks for all the hard work. Case Dismissed.” – Sandra R., Peoria, Arizona

6. Stay local. Specific laws and regulations can vary throughout the state, so finding an attorney who works in the area where your case is pending can make a difference as they have experience with that court’s procedures and personnel.

Christopher Corso has previous experience with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and other prosecutorial agencies, giving him invaluable knowledge of all side of a criminal case and first-hand experience with multiple aspects of Arizona’s court systems. With this specific knowledge and experience regarding criminal law, he’s able to vigorously defend clients and the range of criminal cases that come his way.  

7. Look for relevant specialties. A criminal defense attorney may work with a variety of criminal charges and specialize in specific areas.

Attorneys at Corso Law Group handle all types of criminal cases, and specialize in Arizona DUIs, photo radar tickets and more.

8. Prioritize experience. Your attorney should have extensive experience representing others who were charged with the same or similar offense as you.

Potential Corso Law Group clients needing a DUI attorney, for example, can see how many Arizona DUI cases have been handled and their results on the firm’s website.

9. Set up a consultation. Meeting in person will allow you to discuss your situation, get to know the attorney, better understand their services, determine who would be involved in your case and find out about cost.

Attorneys at Corso Law Group know how important the initial consultation is, and use this time to hear each client’s side of the story.

10. Match your values. After the initial consultation, decide if you and the attorney are a good match. Your lawyer should do their best to make you feel comfortable, show a genuine interest in wanting to help with your case and keep you closely involved.

Something that sets Corso Law Group apart from other firms is that our attorneys value each client as a person, not just a case. We make an effort to give each client and their families the respect and professional representation they deserve.

The team of skilled criminal defense attorneys at Corso Law Group are experienced in handling everything from DUI defense to felony cases, and we work tirelessly to defend the rights of our clients. Call today to schedule a free consultation (480) 471-4616.

Defense Attorneys Challenge TrueAllele DNA Interpretation Software

Defense attorneys around the nation are questioning the legitimacy of the DNA interpretation software, TrueAllele, which is used by law enforcement in at least six states to assist in separating and identifying DNA evidence.

Attorneys are interested in how TrueAllele’s software works to ensure that clients aren’t wrongfully linked to crimes based on the system’s interpretation of their DNA.

According to DNA experts, DNA from multiple people can intermix on anything including gun grips, clothing and victims, The Wall Street Journal reports. These mixtures can be complex, making it difficult for labs to sort out, resulting in inconclusive evidence more than half of the time.

Only seven out of every 100 crime labs nationwide were able to correctly separate a complex DNA mixture, according to a study by the Commerce Department.

To protect their clients from incorrect DNA matches, attorneys such as Noah Geary, are challenging TrueAllele’s reliability and methodology. Geary is the lawyer for Michael Robinson, who TrueAllele linked to the fatal shooting of two men in Pennsylvania after a crime lab deemed DNA from the evidence provided was too complex to analyze.

A judge denied Geary’s request to review TrueAllele’s codes, and it is unclear whether the defense will file an appeal. Robinson could be sentenced to death as a result of these charges.

The developer of TrueAllele, Mark Perlin, continues to refuse requests to review the system’s source code, but is offering defense experts guided tests on a limited set of data.

Issues with TrueAllele aren’t the only doubts regarding the reliability of forensic methods recently. Defense attorneys and experts have also faced problems with flawed hair forensics and bite-mark evidence.

 

Award Logo
Award Logo
Award Logo
Award Logo
Award Logo