Berliner Cohen Successfully Defends Client in Concealed Carry Weapon Permit Case

Please join Berliner Cohen, LLP in congratulating Christian Picone, who last week obtained not guilty verdicts on charges brought against client and local attorney Harpaul Nahal (Santa Clara County Case No. C2010724).  Mr. Nahal was a defendant in the well-publicized concealed carry weapon permit case related to former Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith.  Our client and a co-defendant, former Santa Clara County Captain James Jensen, went to trial in early June on two charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery.  Mr. Nahal was found not guilty on both counts. The jury rejected the prosecution's theory, based almost exclusively of the testimony on Christian Hansen Vest (West), an alleged co-conspirator, that Mr. Nahal was the money connection. The jury seemed to reason that Mr. Nahal's involvement with Mr. Vest’s company, AS Solution, was unrelated to the conspiracy. 

This case began in early August 2019 when a series of search warrants were served on Mr. Nahal and others to obtain cell phones. The District Attorney obtain a Grand Jury indictment a year later in August 2020. The case was finally brought to trial last month. The jury returned not guilty verdicts for Mr. Nahal last week (July 17). Mr. Nahal's co-defendant was found guilty of the charges. In addition to Mr. Vest, two other witnesses had earlier pleaded guilty to lesser charges and testified against Mr. Nahal.

Christian Picone is a seasoned trial attorney, representing individuals and businesses in civil and criminal litigation at the state and federal levels. For questions, Christian can be reached at 408.286.5800 or christian.picone@berliner.com.