Most of Matthew J. Steven's litigation history is in criminal defense, where the great majority of cases settle with an agreement to plead guilty or no contest to some of the counts charged in order to receive a lenient sentence. Indeed, this is usually the wise approach to resolving cases where the state's proof is strong.
Since beginning as a student litigator in 2017, Mr. Steven has obtained acquittals or dismissals in the majority of the cases he has tried. In fact, with the exception of two cases that he took to trial as a "nothing to lose" situation as a law student, he has beaten at least one count in every single case he has tried (as of November 2023, anyway).
But the greatest quiet victories have happened at the negotiation table.
Here are summaries of a few cases Mr. Steven has tried. The details have been generalized to only what is in the public record in order to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the clients.
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State v. Winn
Practice Area:
Criminal defense
Date:
May 6, 2024
Outcome:
Acquitted of multiple counts including Burglary 1 and several weapons charges, convicted by jury of Assault 2.
Description:
Disabled Navy veteran accused of disorderly behavior while intoxicated in several instances, including stabbing someone with a knife, which he asserted was in self-defense. Complex split trial with jury and bench deciding different counts. Court agreed with defense counsel that presumptive Measure 11 mandatory minimum sentence was not appropriate, and gave client a reduced prison sentence.
State v. Gilbertson
Practice Area:
Criminal defense (co-counsel)
Date:
Feb 6, 2023
Outcome:
Acquittal on two counts, mistrial on the remaining counts.
Description:
Client was accused of serious felony sex crimes for which there was no physical evidence. The defense won a motion for judgment of acquittal on two counts, and the jury was hopelessly deadlocked on the remaining counts. The case later settled.
State v. Nichols
Practice Area:
Criminal defense
Date:
Jan 24, 2023
Outcome:
Acquitted on all counts.
Description:
Young African-American male accused of felony eluding, reckless driving, and recklessly endangering another person. A jury trial was held, police were appropriately cross-examined and utterly discredited, and the jury quickly returned a not-guilty verdict across the board.
State v. Scruggs
Practice Area:
Criminal defense
Date:
Dec 15, 2022
Outcome:
Acquittal of felony
Description:
Client accused of assaulting a police officer, a felony. After a bench trial, client was acquitted of the felony and found guilty only of a misdemeanor offense.
State v. Melendez
Practice Area:
Criminal defense
Date:
Sep 30, 2022
Outcome:
Dismissed
Description:
Client was accused of manufacturing and delivering drugs many years ago. The defense filed a motion to dismiss for violation of constitutional rights. The state subsequently dismissed the case.
State v. Salazar
Practice Area:
Criminal defense
Date:
Aug 30, 2022
Outcome:
Dismissed
Description:
The state accused client of unlawful use of a vehicle and possessing a stolen vehicle. After starting what was planned to be a jury trial, the judge dismissed the case in pretrial motions.
State v. Schwartz
Practice Area:
Criminal defense
Date:
May 18, 2022
Outcome:
Acquitted on all counts.
Description:
Client was accused of burglarizing a house. After a two-day jury trial, client was acquitted of all counts, much to the relief of his family.
State v. Nordstrom
Practice Area:
DUI and DWI
Date:
Nov 16, 2017
Outcome:
Acquitted on all counts.
Description:
The state accused client of driving under the influence of intoxicants. After a three-day jury trial involving witnesses including a "drug recognition expert" the jury returned an acquittal. This appearance was as a certified law student.
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