Animal Neglect – Dismissed Through Deferred Prosecution

Our client and his date went for a summer hike, then stopped in Old Town Westminster for lunch. They left their dogs in the car during a hot July afternoon. A concerned bystander called police, who broke the car window to free the animals. The client was charged with animal neglect.

Our client appreciated the seriousness of the charge and its potential impact on his reputation. He came to Krizman Law determined to make things right. We developed a “mitigation” package. He documented evidence that he was a responsible and caring dog owner who made an isolated mistake. We enrolled him in an educational course and provided evidence of his character to the court and prosecution.

Our advocacy led to a deferred prosecution, meaning the city agreed not to pursue charges as long as he completed the agreed-upon conditions. After finishing the class and staying out of further trouble, the case was dismissed in full without a guilty plea. His record was sealed, allowing him to move forward as though the incident never occurred.

Through preparation, empathy, and strategic negotiation, Krizman Law helped a good person turn a momentary lapse in judgment into a lesson learned, without permanent consequences.