Sale of Heroin Within 1,000 Ft of Convenience Store (St. Lucie County)

Facts: Attorney Whitney Duteau came onto this case when it was already several years old. Depositions had been completed and an offer had been made by the state. Whitney reviewed all the evidence in the case and determined that the state would likely have an issue proving the location was a convenience store within the meaning of the statute. She set the case for trial and then explained to the state that they had an issue. Based on her argument to the state she was able to have the charges amended from sale within 1,000 feet, a first degree felony, to a simple sale, a second degree felony. Additionally, while the state had already made a below guidelines offer, she was successful in getting the state to cut the offer in half, saving her client from a prison sentence and ultimately having him time served based on the time he spent in custody.

Results: Charges Reduced