Criminal Defense
Hilton Napoleon is a preeminent attorney renowned for his unwavering dedication to justice and his exceptional legal prowess. With a diverse portfolio spanning high-profile civil rights cases, criminal defense, and defense against government overreach, Napoleon has established himself as a formidable force in the legal arena.
Hilton Napoleon Triumphs in Defense of Dr. Farzaneh Modarresi Against Federal Charges
Dr. Farzaneh Modarresi and her husband, Dr. Mohamed Faghihi, are world-renowned doctors who studied at the Karolinski institute in Sweden, which awards the Nobel Prize for medicine. Dr. Modarresi and Dr. Faghihi dedicated their lives to helping children with genetic defects worldwide.
Despite their altruistic efforts, both doctors found themselves ensnared in a legal battle when the federal government accused them of illegally exporting genetic sequencing machines from the United States to Iran. The government alleged violations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The government also alleged that the doctors had connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (“IRGC”).
Faced with daunting charges that could have led to decades in prison, Dr. Modaressi turned to Hilton Napoleon for legal representation. Other attorneys warned the doctors that they were likely to face substantial prison sentences due to the government's accusations. Nevertheless, Mr. Napoleon took upon the challenge to defend the doctors against what he believed to be overreaching charges. His dedication went beyond legal work; he immersed himself in the intricacies of genetic sequencing, DNA, and RNA testing to develop a comprehensive defense strategy.
Mr. Napoleon meticulously crafted a 38-page motion to dismiss, which not only challenged the government's case, but also presented a detailed understanding of the complex scientific aspects involved in genetic sequencing. The motion to dismiss was a critical turning point that compelled the government to dismiss the charges against Dr. Modarresi! Mr. Napoleon’s motion also caused the government to offer Dr. Faghihi pretrial diversion – a rarity in federal court, and unheard of for someone who the government essentially accused of terrorism.
Mr. Napoleon's successful defense of Dr. Farzaneh Modarresi showcases the power of dedicated legal advocacy in the face of government overreach. His commitment to justice, combined with a deep understanding of the scientific intricacies involved in the case, resulted in the dismissal of charges that could have devastated the lives of two individuals dedicated to serving others. This victory not only preserves the doctors' reputation but also emphasizes the importance of holding the government accountable when accusations are unjust and overreaching.
Hilton Napoleon Secures Victory for Pooh Shiesty and Bobby Brown in Federal Racketeering Case
In a dramatic legal battle following a shooting captured on surveillance video in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, iconic rapper Pooh Shiesty and his manager, Bobby Brown, faced a formidable federal indictment in the Southern District of Florida. The duo faced allegations of at least 16 episodes of firearm usage across multiple states. The government, sparing no expense and involving several federal agencies, sought a mandatory 20-year prison sentence, with the potential for life imprisonment if convicted at trial. Teaming up with superstar attorneys Brad Cohen and Saam Zangeneh, Mr. Napoleon masterfully deconstructed the government's case, resulting in a significant victory for Pooh Shiesty and Bobby Brown.
Mr. Napoleon strategically deconstructed the government's case during sentencing and successfully argued that Pooh Shiesty and Bobby Brown’s guideline range should not include the serious allegations of murder or Hobb’s Act robbery.
In a groundbreaking move, Chief Judge K. Michael Moore, who is known to be conservative, acknowledged Mr. Napoleon’s arguments and applied the guideline range for assault, sparing Pooh Shiesty and Bobby Brown from the severe mandatory sentences initially sought by the government. As a result, Bobby Brown received a sentence of less than 5 years imprisonment, with all credit for time served.