Mr. Bajaj's client, a young executive, was accused of Felony Resisting Arrest and Assault on an Executive Officer Causing Injury. Both are felonies, one is a Felony Strike, which is very serious under California law. The client and his family were referred to Mr. Bajaj by a prior client.
Mr. Bajaj believed in his client and had his doubts regarding the police officer's statement. He believed the officer fabricated the evidence and convinced other officers to do the same. He felt that the officers were covering for the fact that they severely beat his client. Through a complicated procedure, Mr. Bajaj filed numerous motions to gain the disciplinary and citizen complain history of each officer involved. While some information was turned over to the defense after the court's review of the files, Mr. Bajaj believed there was more the San Diego Police Department was hiding. He pushed on to file the motion again. Sure enough, Mr. Bajaj was right. A new report of a citizen complaint that should have been provided was now turned over.
Mr. Bajaj's client was offered a misdemeanor, no jail time, and a small fine. Together, they decided to reject the offer and move to a jury trial. His client's career was at stake as well as his reputation and dignity.
Mr. Bajaj was able to gather significant interviews and other evidence to present at trial. He also methodically picked the prosecution's witnesses apart. He convinced the jury that the police officers in this case fabricated the reports to protect other officers in the case. The case was hotly contested with completely different accounts of what occurred the night of the incident. In the end, Mr. Bajaj secured NOT GUILTY verdicts on all counts for his client.
This victory, like many others, demonstrates Mr. Bajaj's success and as a criminal defense attorney.
