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Prominent Criminal Law Attorney Michael Grieco Successfully Defends Rising Music Artist Who Was Facing Life In Prison Sentence If Convicted
MIAMI – February 25, 2013 – Celebrity criminal defense attorney Michael Grieco announced that a Miami-Dade judge has dropped armed robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm charges against rapper Richard Morales, known as Gunplay, during a scheduled court hearing today. 33-year-old Morales, a protégé of top selling rap artist Rick Ross, was accused of robbing a man at a Miami tax business in April 2012. The incident was captured on surveillance video.
“After the prosecutor was denied a third request for a trial delay, she was forced to drop the case. Mr. Play will be released from house arrest and is free to get back to his music.”
Morales was facing a possible life in prison sentence if convicted of both charges. Prosecutors said Morales and another suspect allegedly stole a gold chain and a cell phone during the altercation. A warrant in connection with this incident was issued in May 2012. Morales surrendered peacefully and cooperated with authorities while under house arrest. Grieco said Morales is now free to pursue his music career.
“We couldn’t be happier with the result. My client kept his chin up the entire time he was facing life in prison, sitting on house arrest waiting for his day in court. He got it, and he is now a free man and ready to get back to his music. A dismissal on a case like this is very rare and my client knows it’s simply time to move forward.”
Michael Grieco, a Florida criminal defense attorney and former felony division chief for the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, founded The Grieco Law Center located in Miami Beach, Fla. The firm not only provides clients with concierge service for a litany of criminal matters, but also works with corporate counsels for numerous Miami and New York businesses in litigation and transactional matters, as well as municipal ordinance violation defense/prevention. Grieco has investigated and tried numerous high-profile criminal cases such as homicides, narcotics offenses, firearms charges, property crimes, white-collar offenses, mortgage fraud and DUIs. He has represented clients from all walks of life including physicians, corporate CEOs, law enforcement professionals, pro athletes, and Hollywood personalities.
Additionally, Grieco regularly acts as a legal consultant for several professional athletes and a sports management firm and is sought out by media outlets for legal analysis regarding high-profile criminal matters, including the George Zimmerman prosecution and FAMU hazing case. For more information visit: www.miamicriminaldefense.com.
