Trial Experience - Benjamin and DesPortes

Representative Trial Experience

Steve Benjamin & Betty Layne DesPortes Criminal Trial and Appellate Practice in all Courts

Disclaimer: Because the facts and circumstances of each case vary, no previous results, rulings, or verdicts are predictive of the outcome in any other case.

Substantial experience as lead counsel in jury and non-jury trials in both state and federal court. State and federal capital representation successful in avoiding death penalty in all cases. Qualified in United States District Court as an expert witness in criminal defense.

Commonwealth v. Jane Doe (Richmond): Motion for judgment of acquittal granted after three days of jury trial and two years of pre-trial litigation for woman indicted for first degree murder.

Commonwealth v. John Doe (Unnamed Rural County): Retained by Chairperson of County Board of Supervisors to defend spouse indicted for first degree murder. Successful defense and two week jury trial resulted in Not Guilty verdicts within two hours.

Commonwealth v. John Doe (Greene County): Retained by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to represent a Virginia State Game Warden indicted for manslaughter in Greene County, Virginia. Successful defense led to a dismissal of the indictment.

Commonwealth v. Jane Doe (Southampton County): Retained by PETA to represent two employees accused of stealing a hunting dog from a Deputy Sheriff in Southampton County, Virginia. Successful defense led to an acquittal, dismissal and expungement of the charges.

Commonwealth v. John Doe (Chesterfield County): Retained by Chesterfield Police Officer to defend criminal charge alleging the brandishing of a firearm during an off-duty encounter with two motorists. Successful defense and one day trial resulted in a verdict of Not Guilty.

City of Richmond v. John Doe and others (Richmond): Successful First Amendment facial challenge to city’s anti-noise ordinance on behalf of band members and their host whose house was raided and searched.

Commonwealth v. John Doe (Henrico County): Successful defense and pretrial dismissal of disorderly conduct charge brought against young man who removed his shirt and pants to display the fourth amendment as he sought to proceed through TSA security.