Thomas P. O'Connell, P.A. “Defending the Rights of the Accused”

Tom O’Connell represented the Defendant who was accused of breaking into an off- duty police officers’ truck. The lighting in the parking lot was shaded and the officers could not obtain an adequate identification. The Defendant’s license was used as an identification tool for law enforcement when he was eventually arrested. After two mis-trials, the Defendant was found not guilty after a third jury trial.

In this interesting case, the Defendant was accused of drinking with some friends at a party, and his Wife accused him of not taking care of the child. The Defendant and his Wife were involved in a verbal altercation. The Alleged Victim’s Mother was over 65 years old at the time where the Defendant accidentally bumped into her during an argument. The State filed a four count information, including Battery on a Person over 65 years old. After Tom O’Connell’s private investigators obtained sworn statements from all of the witnesses, the State decided to announce a Nolle Prosequi (dismissal) due to lack of evidence.

In December of 2006 Tom O’Connell, along with Co-Counsel, achieved a not guilty in a Drug Trafficking case. This 25 year mandatory case was an on going investigation. After the Defendant was placed under surveillance, law enforcement indicated they felt the Defendant was hiding some drugs under his jacket after leaving his residence.

Upon obtaining a search warrant, there was cocaine residue and other drugs located in the residence. The Co-Defendant had some drugs in his vehicle. The confidential informant testified he left the drugs underneath the vehicle. However, law enforcement was not able to positively identify the Defendant and the cocaine. The informant’s testimony was not credible. Consequently, the verdict as to Count I: Trafficking Cocaine over 400 grams and under 150 Kilograms, Count III: Possession of Methamphetamine, Count IV: Possession of Cannabis, and Count V: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, ended in a verdict of not guilty.

Tom O’Connell has represented hundreds of domestic violence Defendants within the past five years. Most of the alleged victims voluntarily come forward and provide voluntarily sworn statements asking the State to drop the charges. All of the cases the State will review the probable cause affidavit, read the sworn statement, consult with the victim, and then will make a decision whether to drop the charges. The cases which proceeded to trial were eventually dismissed or resulted in a lesser charge.

Tom O’Connell recently settled a WRONGFUL DEATH CASE for 1.2 million dollars wherein the mother of four children died while riding as a passenger after a tragic car accident wherein Tom and his Co-Counsel negotiated a complex long term pay-out which will help the children pay for school, funeral expenses, and various other living expenses.

Tom O’Connell settled a similar case wherein the victim lived after suffering severe chest trauma as a result of a drunk driver slamming his truck into a tree.
The case settled for the insurance policy limits of $300,000.00. Tom’s Client was thrilled with the settlement, she was able to recover from her injuries, and she went back to work as a local artist painting beautiful pictures which have been displayed throughout the State of Florida.