"2000.00"
My name is Patrick Shiflett and I was arrested approximately December 23 2018. I am a combat veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan, and did one Humanitarian mission to Bosnia in which I conducted security for medics, doctors, and politicians. Unfortunately, during Iraq I went into cardiac arrest, died, and I was revived. I still went to Afghanistan and rolled my vehicle on a mountain during a fire fight. I was prescribed Benzodiazepines, ambient, and Percocet with a bunch of other pills totaling eighteen altogether. Let's just say I went from from a two time combat veteran, received Bachelors Degree in Health and Human Services with 3.5 GPA (top ten percent), and received and Associate Degree in General Ed. I went from being on top of the world as married with child, supervisor, speed track career, bank full of money, house, and everything anyone seemingly would want except happiness. So I would up getting addicted to the pain pills and the anxiety medicine, as well as drinking. I was petrified, truly scared. I wound up getting an honorable discharge from the military through the grace of God, and I refused to give up anything, but because of my anxiety I procrastinated on getting a lawyer. I was terrified because of my Combat PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Severe Anxiety. I tried to will my way through the drugs to cope but couldn't. They took me over fast and in a hurry. I finally heard of this lawyer firm through my brother's friend Casey. Casey told me about Mr. Matthew Kunka, so without anything to lose I gave him a call. From the first conversation, I like Mr. Kunka because he was down to Earth and did not treat me like a drug addict, junkie, criminal or someone who did not deserve help. He reminded me of a younger man, early thirties, who was geared to get out there, win cases for his clients and firm, and make a name for himself. It did not seem like he was just there for the job. He immediately called me back and stayed in contact with me the whole time on the phone. He gave me advice on treatment centers where I could bang out addiction treatment, but I was ahead of the game with that because of the Veterans Administration. One of his helpers was a former prosecutor, who also could not have been more professional. Again, this man told me how it was not my fault and how he believed big pharmaceutical played a part in the opioid crisis than cut us off leaving us to the heroin bought on the street, and the same goes for the Benzos. The Benzos worked for me but the VA did not believe in them so I went to the street after being cut off from them after using them for a month. And Franklin Square was the ones with the Percocet, but the Army did not want me on them. Anyway, Mr. Kunka had me bring him all of the paperwork needed in advance from military awards, to degrees, to the six programs I went through for inpatient and outpatient drug addiction. Mr. Kunka and his team were always on my side even knowing I got caught with a drug. He argued there was no reason for the officer to just stop me for walking down the street, he argued that I was one hundred percent disabled, he argued I was a supervisor and model citizen to this point, and most of all he argued that is would be a disservice to put me behind bars or furthermore on probation. He believe I did nothing to deserve any of this. While he agreed I need help and will be fighting this disease forever, prison would just make me worse and give me a record when trying to become a Federal Employee.As far as the court date and trial I was contacted several times, to include the day before trial, so I knew it was all good. Mr. Kunka showed up fifteen minutes early to court and immediately had me get my papers together, as he talked with the State's Attorney and another gentleman helping her (not sure his title). But, Mr. Kunka was friends with both of them or at least great acquaintances. At first PBJ was recommended, but Mr. Kunka was not going to let that happen without a fight. So, he gave all of my accolades to the gentleman and states attorney, and than he read a copy of the police report, to which he replied was written by someone in elementary school, and that was the same way it was handled. After proving his point on the police report, Mr. Kunka asked if the case could be a Stet and dropped. The states attorney thought for about five minutes and said "how about 24 hours community service in addition?" I replied with an absolutely that would be lovely and I am truly grateful and humble. I could not have been more happy with my lawyer team. I was a little skeptical at first when Mr. Mark Scheuerman told me to relax and he was going to try and get it dropped, and that this court house was his playing field. I honestly thought he was blowing smoke to get money, but that is not the case and never was. I paid 2000,00 and that is it, not Probation, court costs, fines, etcetera. Now, he said he could have probably got me found not guilty, but I was happy enough with the verdict in hand. I went thirty-five years with just traffic violation and being detained for fighting when younger, but never anything serious. I just got caught up in the world of pharmaceutical drugs which led to street drugs, and they are all the same. So, with that said this has been my best experience by far with a lawyer and in court. He knew what he was doing, there was no doubt, and if he did not know he wrote it down and got back to me. He is a true professional and believes in the core values of excellence in all he does, integrity first, and service before self. I recommend him to anyone and if you need to talk I will leave my email and name. And I do that for credibility. I can write all day but if it is anonymous it means nothing to me. Very Respectfully, Retired TSgt Patrick Sean Shiflett
Patrick Sean Shiflett
Baltimore / Dundalk, MD
