Once again, I must clear up Mr. Sarsfield’s smoke and mirrors.
He was quoted in the Free Lance saying that his special prosecutors
have
”
won all their assigned cases,
”
Free Lance, April 1, 2004.
Once again, I must clear up Mr. Sarsfield’s smoke and mirrors. He was quoted in the Free Lance saying that his special prosecutors have “won all their assigned cases,” Free Lance, April 1, 2004. Well, I only know of two cases that his special attorneys have taken to jury trial. The first case where the defendant was charged with driving while on a suspended license; these types of charges have an exposure of up to six months in the county jail depending upon the person’s driving history. In that case, the defendant was found not guilty. The defendant was fined for an infraction, but the primary criminal case was lost. Two days of jury trial, 12 citizens of San Benito that had to sit through a jury trial that resulted in a small fine and a not guilty verdict to the primary charge. Is there anyone except Sarsfield that thinks that’s a win?
The second case was mine. In that case, Mr. Sarsfield assigned two attorneys from Fish and Richardson. It was two against one. The trial consisted of three charges of battery on a special agent of the Department of Justice. In that case, here is what happened to all three battery charges; 243(b) penal code not guilty, 241 (b) penal code not guilty, 242 penal code not guilty. The defendant was found guilty of resisting arrest and 240 penal code. Any readers think that amounts to a win? Well probably just Mr. Sarsfield.
Perhaps Mr. Sarsfield thinks not guilty is a win. Perhaps even if every serious charge is dismissed but he gets a small fine, that’s close enough for government work and the community need not be bothered with the details. Perhaps he is not getting the full story when these attorneys go back to his office. Perhaps this was Sarsfield’s April Fools’ joke since the news article was on April 1. Whatever the excuse is, know this, “Mr. Sarsfield, every time you mislead this community, I will be the first to give them the straight skinny.”
Arthur Cantu, attorney at law,
Hollister
