Mr. Crusen’s client was accused of Assault 4 and Harassment. The maximum potential jail sentence if convicted was one day less than one and a half years. The basic allegation was that Mr. Crusen’s client was accused of biting her boyfriend’s face during an argument. This was a case where we had declined the option of the Deferred Sentencing program - therefore, we went to trial.

The police testified that the boyfriend had an obvious bite on his forehead. Mr. Crusen established through cross examination (primarily) that his client was trying to kiss her boyfriend, and he pulled away at the last moment at an angle that caused her teeth to be struck by his forehead hard enough to leave marks and some injury. The jury saw reasonable doubt and therefore found Mr. Crusen’s client Not Guilty of both charges.