negotiated lowest term

The day I was arrested, I didn’t know what to expect because this had never happened to me before. After going to my first court date while I was still incarcerated on a one million dollar bail I was appointed a public defender. He came and saw me a few days afterwards and told me “your deal is 38 years and you are going to prison”. 

This was a shock to me as I was never in trouble with the law before.  I told him “I will not get out of here until my son is my age”.  I asked my family to find someone to help me because it was clear that the public defender was not going to. 

After looking through the yellow pages for a Sacramento criminal defense attorney, my family decided to talk with Dan Koukol.  He connected with my family and when he came to see me it felt like I really had somebody by my side through all of this.  As we sat down and discussed the case, he was positive that getting me a low term or even probation was possible. This really eased my mind as I sat stressed in the county jail.  

He had a great private investigator on my case that really broke my case wide open about all the wrong facts and accusations towards me.  It did take several court dates and some delays, but with Dan by my side it felt like I had the right person in my corner.  

We did get a second deal on the table it was 18 years.  This was also not something I wanted to hear.  Dan was also not accepting it as his final conclusion to this case.  He really put forth lots of effort and when it came down to presenting my defense to the District Attorney, he was very tough.  

At the bail hearing he got it reduced by half but I was still very freaked out about that sentence, it was way too much for me to handle. But even with this, he put my mind at ease because he was still fighting for me to negotiate even more.

The District Attorney would not accept probation, but Dan did not give up. He eventually got the offer down to the low term which was three years, and I accepted it. 

I feel very grateful to have Dan Koukol as my attorney.  I feel he represented me to the fullest capabilities. It could have been 38 years had I not had Dan working so hard for me, but instead it is only 3 years.  Now I will return to my ranch and put the past behind me as I live life for my son. 

Thank you Dan! I would recommend you to everybody! 

~ Luke