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Case Results

Life Without Parole Sentence Reduced to Time Served After 23 Years

After more than two decades in prison, the sons of a man who had been convicted in the early 1990s for narcotics trafficking, and who was serving a federal sentence of life without parole, turned to NYC appeals and post-conviction litigation attorney Harlan Protass to find a way to get their father home. By examining the file from start to finish, attorney Protass found legal grounds for a new sentencing hearing. By presenting evidence of his client’s full rehabilitation, including letters from prison guards, religious leaders, and family and friends, attorney Protass persuaded a federal judge to resentence his client to time served. That client was home with his family the very next day.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Three-Year Sentence for Wall Street Executive Guilty of Multi-Million Dollar Fraud

A Wall Street executive who caused close to $14,000,000 in losses and personally embezzled more than $3 million faced 78 – 97 months in jail. Through impassioned argument at sentencing, attorney Harlan Protass persuaded a Brooklyn federal judge to impose a sentence of 36 months – less than half of the bottom of her potential prison term.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Charges Against Artist Who Destroyed Hotel Room Dismissed

During the course of an all-night party, a young artist painted the inside of his Manhattan hotel room, causing thousands of dollars in damages. Wanting to avoid a possible conviction for criminal charges, he reached out to Protass Law PLLC for help. By quickly agreeing to pay restitution, attorney Harlan Protass succeeded in achieving the dismissal and sealing of all charges.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

No Charges Against International Executive Investigated for Antitrust / Price Fixing

A Japanese company came under investigation by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice for price fixing. So did a number of its senior executives, one of whom turned to antitrust defense lawyer Harlan Protass for representation. Based on a careful and detailed analysis of his client’s communications with competitors, attorney Protass persuaded federal prosecutors to exclude his client from the list of senior executives identified as having potential criminal exposure. The client was never charged and lives today in retirement in Japan.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

45 Day Sentence for Business Owner Charged with Structuring Checks

A Maine-based business owner was charged with structuring close to $200,000 in checks – an offense for which he faced 46-57 months in federal prison. Wanting to avoid this lengthy term of incarceration, he reached out to NYC criminal defense attorney Harlan Protass. After successfully persuading a judge that his client fell within certain “safe harbor” provisions, attorney Harlan Protass significantly reduced his client’s exposure and ultimately persuaded the judge to impose a prison sentence of only 45 days.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Felony Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed

An Argentinian college student present in the United States on a student visa who was arrested on felony domestic violence charges faced a double-barreled threat: jail time and removal from the United States. Through his skilled negotiations, including presentations concerning the collateral consequences of any criminal conviction, violent crimes attorney Harlan Protass negotiated a diversion program for his client, including a battery class and individual therapy. After successful completion of those conditions, the charges against attorney Protass’ client were dismissed, and the record was sealed.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Felony Public Corruption Charges Reduced to Misdemeanor

Caught for filing false and fraudulent asbestos inspection certificates with the City of New York relating to a multi-family house he was renovating, a Brooklyn contractor was facing felony charges that threatened his real estate career. Knowing he needed the help of a veteran criminal defense attorney, he reached out to Protass Law PLLC. By carefully analyzing the evidence against his client, and then convincing prosecutors from the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office that that evidence did not support the charges they had been filed, attorney Harlan Protass obtained a misdemeanor, no-jail deal for his client, preserving that client’s licenses and ability to work in New York real estate.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

No Jail for Grocery Store Owner Convicted of Tax and Related Violations

A New York grocery owner was facing the possibility of years behind bars for having failed to pay tens of thousands of dollars of taxes to the IRS, paying employees off the books, and employing undocumented workers. Wanting to avoid the harsh potential penalties of a conviction, the business owner reached out to skilled criminal defense lawyer Harlan Protass. By presenting written and oral advocacy principally concerning his client’s military service and otherwise clean record, attorney Harlan Protass was able to persuade a federal judge in Brooklyn that sending his client to jail would serve no purpose whatsoever, and his client walked out of the courtroom a free man.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Felony Assault Charges Dismissed

When a Manhattan man was arrested and charged with felony assault after his romantic partner accused him of hitting him in the head with a wooden statue, he turned to violent crimes attorney Harlan Protass to defend him. After exhaustively investigating the facts and circumstances relating to the alleged assault, attorney Protass persuaded prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office that no fight had taken place, and that his client was innocent. Prosecutors dropped all charges and sealed the arrest record, thereby protecting attorney Protass’ client against any future prejudice.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Probation for Federal Extortion Charges

Charged in federal court in a multi-defendant RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) and extortion case, a Brooklyn man was facing the prospect of three to four years in prison when he decided to plead guilty. In need of a seasoned advocate with a deep reservoir of knowledge and experience in sentencing, he hired attorney Harlan Protass to try to mitigate the consequences of his criminal conduct. Attorney Protass not only negotiated with prosecutors to go along with a sentence of probation, but he also persuaded a federal judge that a no-jail sentence was fair, just, and appropriate given his client’s uniquely troubled personal background.

The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.

Press & Publications

Gang Land News

Compassionate Release Motion Granted and Life Sentence Reduced After 29+ Years Behind Bars

Written by Harlan Protass

A federal judge granted Eric Millian a compassionate release, calling him a rehabilitated “man of extraordinary character.”

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Legal Blog

02, August 2022

New York Seeks Bail Reform for the Second Time in Three Years

Suggested changes would expand judges’ discretion to set cash bail.   Did the bail reform laws enacted by the New York legislature in 2019 lead to the release of two Mexican cartel smugglers arrested with $1.2 million of meth in New York City in early…

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