“An innocent Dentist went through three  years of hell before he finally had a Jury of his peers vindicate him with a verdict delivering Justice. Not Guilty!” – Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer Ken Padowitz

Attorney Ken Padowitz with client immediately after Jury Verdict

June 23rd, 2026

Fort Lauderdale

Broward County Courthouse

Everybody hates to go to the Dentist. But that amusing anecdote almost turned tragic for one dentist who hailed an Uber/Lyft driver for a ride near the Sawgrass Mall. An expected casual 30 minute trip turned into the ride from hell when cold stares through the drivers mirror metastasized into unsupported and uncorroborated accusations of Attempted Robbery, Aggravated Assault with a weapon and Battery.

The alleged weapon? A Pocket Knife. The problem for the Government? No Knife found. The Driver claimed under oath the knife was viewed from her rear-view mirror and it was never opened. At trial, she testified the alleged knife amazingly became opened. She could  not give any description of the knife to any officer.

The Driver claimed in her sworn statement the Dentist punched her two times. In deposition, she testified two times. In trial, her testimony turned to three times. The problem? No red marks, no scratches, no black and blue marks, no injury. Every police witness said not a mark.

The Defendant took the stand and described how he immediately felt uncomfortable in the car ride and called a friend to have an ear witness. The ear witness testified there was no fighting, cursing, yelling or anything but his friends calm demeanor.

The driver was impeached over 15 times showing she had made different sworn statements on the same alleged facts. Not one video, body camera, picture or independent witness was produced by the State to corroborate the alleged victim. No real through investigation was conducted by the only Detective who first came into contact with the driver nine days later.

A week of trial culminated in the message from the courtroom. The Jury has a verdict. Not Guilty. The Dentist sobbed quietly as he knew his nightmare was over. ….And Justice for all.