Torrance, Fight Between Two Construction Workers, Reduced To Disturbing The Peace – Attorney Success # 10
Our client, age 53 and with a prior record for four other misdemeanors, two involving fights, allegedly tried to swing his long key chain and kick a general contractor in Torrance. The incident was precipitated when the general contractor threatened to not pay our client, a welder, unless he remove certain lateral support bolts that, if removed, would certainly render the building very unsafe. Our client properly refused to engage in such an unsafe act.
The general contractor then advised our client that he would not be paid. Our client, understandably, became quite upset, as he had purchased over $1,000 of materials, welded them in place and even paid for a helper for several days. Our client had also spent several days of his own time on the project. Our client was an experienced welder with over thirty years in the industry and had won many awards for his projects.
Voices were raised and our client, mindful of his prior record, restrained himself, although he really wanted to deck the general contractor. The general contractor became convinced that his ultimatum was not going to work, so he backed off and paid our client.
But the general contractor was embarrassed and his pride had been wounded, so he called the Torrance Police Department and fabricated a claim that our client had punched and kicked him. He also called our client twice, telling him “I hope you have a prior record.” The Torrance Police Department took one look at our client’s prior record, disregarded everything our client said, and recommended charges be filed, which the Torrance City Prosecutor did.
Our client was charged with one count of battery (Penal Code § 242), one count of misdemeanor criminal threats (Penal Code § 422) and one count of misdemeanor assault (Penal Code § 240). The initial offer to our client was 15 days of county jail, significant fines and 52 weeks of anger management classes.
Greg Hill of our office immediately contacted the City Prosecutor and the Torrance Police Department to enlighten them of the facts behind the one-sided police report. By relentlessly presenting the facts, our client’s professional work history and seeking a reduction of charges, our office was able to convince the prosecutor to reduce the offer to a single charge of disturbing the peace (Penal Code § 415). Our client accepted the offer.
If you or a family member faces criminal charges involving batter to a police officer (Penal Code section 243(b)), criminal threats (Penal Code section 422) or disorderly conduct (Penal Code section 647), we at Greg Hill and Associates want to help you. Please call our office today for a free 45 minute consultation. Our telephone number is (310) 782-2500.
The general contractor then advised our client that he would not be paid. Our client, understandably, became quite upset, as he had purchased over $1,000 of materials, welded them in place and even paid for a helper for several days. Our client had also spent several days of his own time on the project. Our client was an experienced welder with over thirty years in the industry and had won many awards for his projects.
Voices were raised and our client, mindful of his prior record, restrained himself, although he really wanted to deck the general contractor. The general contractor became convinced that his ultimatum was not going to work, so he backed off and paid our client.
But the general contractor was embarrassed and his pride had been wounded, so he called the Torrance Police Department and fabricated a claim that our client had punched and kicked him. He also called our client twice, telling him “I hope you have a prior record.” The Torrance Police Department took one look at our client’s prior record, disregarded everything our client said, and recommended charges be filed, which the Torrance City Prosecutor did.
Our client was charged with one count of battery (Penal Code § 242), one count of misdemeanor criminal threats (Penal Code § 422) and one count of misdemeanor assault (Penal Code § 240). The initial offer to our client was 15 days of county jail, significant fines and 52 weeks of anger management classes.
Greg Hill of our office immediately contacted the City Prosecutor and the Torrance Police Department to enlighten them of the facts behind the one-sided police report. By relentlessly presenting the facts, our client’s professional work history and seeking a reduction of charges, our office was able to convince the prosecutor to reduce the offer to a single charge of disturbing the peace (Penal Code § 415). Our client accepted the offer.
If you or a family member faces criminal charges involving batter to a police officer (Penal Code section 243(b)), criminal threats (Penal Code section 422) or disorderly conduct (Penal Code section 647), we at Greg Hill and Associates want to help you. Please call our office today for a free 45 minute consultation. Our telephone number is (310) 782-2500.