Defense Attorney Mark O'Brien Obtains Lighter Sentence in Sex Crime Case

TAMPA, FL, October 18, 2012 (Press-News.org) To ensure that a criminal defense case has the greatest possible outcome, defendants should entrust a team of expert lawyers with the tools and experience required for complex criminal matters. In Tampa, Florida, the attorneys at O'Brien Hatfield, P.A., go out of their way for clients. This dynamic duo has a history of high-profile successes.

For example, defense attorney Mark O'Brien was recently able to reduce the potential sentence for a defendant in a newsworthy case involving accusations of child pornography and rape. Specifically, a former assistant cruise director for the Norwegian Star faced serious criminal charges when he allegedly had sex and exchanged explicit photos with a 16-year-old passenger aboard a seven-day cruise.

Federal court documents suggest that the 29-year-old citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina met up with a minor on a cruise ship, which departed Tampa for the Caribbean. The minor girl was traveling with her parents. At a stopover in Costa Maya, Mexico, sources indicate that the defendant and minor engaged in sexual relations.

The man came to the attention of authorities after he showed several crew members pictures of the girl, noting that she was 16. The cruise line's internal security team conducted an investigation and informed the FBI. Amid the investigation, authorities claim to have found more than 600 explicit images on his computer, including images of the minor and other children that appeared younger than 12.

Initially, the man faced up to 10 years behind bars. According to O'Brien, the government pushed for the maximum sentence; however, the district court sentenced the defendant on Monday at the bottom end of the federal sentencing guidelines. Furthermore, because the defense struck a deal early in the case, no rape charges will be brought against the defendant in state or federal court regarding his sexual relationship with the minor.

The defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of possession of child pornography on June 18. O'Brien explains, "At the end of the day, Mr. Djedovic's sentence could have been much harsher than the sentence he received. We are very pleased." This recent victory is just one example of the level of dedication provided by the attorneys of O'Brien Hatfield, P.A.

About O'Brien Hatfield, P.A.

Mark O'Brien and Victoria Hatfield know how to handle criminal defense matters because they have both been on the charging side. Within their legal careers, these attorneys have experienced criminal law from the prosecutorial perspective. This prior experience has enriched their approach to criminal defense matters, providing clients with detailed case evaluations.

Together, these attorneys have over 15 years of quality legal experience. Even under the most egregious circumstances, this litigation-based team will fight to protect a defendant's future.

If you have been accused a crime, you should connect with an experienced attorney immediately. Contact O'Brien Hatfield, P.A., at (813) 345-4909 or visit them online at http://www.markjobrien.com to discuss your case.