The Challenge
After a long-term romantic relationship ended, our client was accused in Temecula of felony vandalism under Penal Code § 594(b)(1), along with several misdemeanor offenses, by her former partner, “Hollywood Madam” Heidi Fleiss. Because § 594(b)(1) is a wobbler, the felony filing carried exposure of up to three years in custody and a permanent felony record — in a case that began as a personal dispute between former partners.
Our Strategy
Through negotiations with the prosecution and a careful review of the evidence, we successfully challenged several of the allegations. The misdemeanor charges were dismissed, and the felony vandalism charge was reduced to misdemeanor vandalism, substantially limiting our client’s criminal exposure.
Media Coverage
The Result
FELONY CHARGES REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR
Your Case Belongs at the Southwest Justice Center.
Your Defense Belongs Here.
If you were arrested in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, or French Valley, your future will likely be decided at the Southwest Justice Center (SWJC) on Auld Road. In these courtrooms, local knowledge is the ultimate advantage. Since 1999, Nic Cocis has been a weekly fixture in the SWJC, appearing before the same judges and negotiating with the same Riverside County prosecutors for over 25 years. We don’t just know the law — we know the specific nuances, procedural quirks, and judicial tendencies of the Southwest District. Whether you are facing a felony or a misdemeanor, you need a firm that treats the Southwest Justice Center as its home turf.
