Case Results in New York State and Federal Courts

A federal ATF gun and drug sting led to charges involving drug offenses and two counts under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which can carry mandatory prison sentences.

The client accepted responsibility for the drug conduct but denied the firearm allegations. The defense went to trial and argued entrapment, that the government improperly created or induced the alleged criminal conduct.

The jury found the client not guilty on both § 924(c) counts. The result reduced the mandatory minimum prison exposure from 15 years to five years. An appeal remains pending.

The New York State Attorney General charged a sitting state senator with felony corruption offenses.

Scott Iseman was part of the defense team. Before trial, the court dismissed the indictment in full.

The New York Times described the ruling as “a surprising rebuke” of the state attorney general.

The prosecution alleged that the client intentionally set fire to his own building to collect insurance proceeds.

The defense retained experts who challenged the government’s conclusion about the cause of the fire. The client declined plea offers and proceeded to trial.

During cross examination of prosecution witnesses, the government disclosed new exculpatory information from its own expert. The court granted a trial order of dismissal on every count before the defense needed to present its case.

A client, 18 years old, faced kidnapping and felony sex offense charges that carried the risk of an effective life sentence. He rejected a plea offer that would have required multiple years in prison and proceeded to trial.

The jury found him not guilty of both kidnapping counts and the other felony sex offense charges. On the remaining top charge, the jury was deadlocked 11 to 1 in favor of acquittal.

Scott later persuaded the district attorney’s office not to retry that charge. The client received time served on the remaining misdemeanor offenses.

A veteran denied the allegation against him and wanted to testify in his own defense.

The nature of the allegations led the defense to conclude that a jury trial presented unnecessary risk. The client waived his right to a jury trial, and the case was tried before a judge.

The client testified, and the court returned a verdict of not guilty.

A public official in a small municipality faced multiple fraud charges after allegations made by her former husband.

The client hired counsel from outside the local area. The defense conducted an independent investigation, reviewed the discovery materials in detail, and presented its findings to the district attorney’s office.

The prosecution dismissed the charges.

A sophomore honors student was accused of sexual assault by a former student.

The defense began immediately. The firm gathered witness statements and preserved social media evidence before it could be lost. At a contested Title IX hearing, the student was found not responsible.

He was able to complete his degree.

A student was accused of misconduct by a classmate.

The firm gathered and organized evidence, including witness information, text messages, and photographs, during the school’s investigation. The information addressed the allegation before a hearing was necessary.

The college dismissed the matter without a hearing.

The firm also represents students reporting sexual violence in campus disciplinary proceedings.

In this matter, the firm helped a student prepare her account, organize supporting information, prepare for interviews, and work through the hearing process. The person she reported was found responsible and disciplined by the school.

A business sued a customer for defamation after the customer posted a critical online review.

The defense invoked the New York statute that protects speech on matters of public interest, which can allow a defendant to seek legal fees. The legal pressure led the plaintiff to discontinue the lawsuit and pay a substantial portion of the client’s legal fees.

A college student reported a sexual assault to her school. The classmate she reported then sued her for defamation.

The firm promptly moved to dismiss the lawsuit. The court dismissed every claim against the client.