Significant Cases
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It is not unusual for a new client or prospective client to inquire whether Mr. Lykkebak has ever handled a case similar to theirs. If the case is a criminal case the answer is probably, yes he has. Over his extensive career in county, state and federal courts Donald Lykkebak has been presented with a wide variety of criminal problems. In the following case summaries, examples of the hundreds of people Donald Lykkebak has defended are offered as representative of his law practice. Unfortunately, Florida Bar rules and regulations prohibit the web page from providing information regarding attorney results in these or any other cases. If, however, you come in for an appointment, you may inquire and he will be proud to let you know how these situations were resolved. |
These do not purport to be a complete list. It has only been compiled to provide insight as to the scope of Mr. Lykkebak’s law practice. Although many of these cases are significant, no criminal accusation is too minor to warrant Mr. Lykkebak’s attention. He knows that every client’s criminal record (or lack of same) is very important to that client and therefore, it is also very important to the lawyer entrusted with the responsibility of representation. Misdemeanor cases, for example, are welcomed and handled seriously. Mr. Lykkebak is particularly interested in misdemeanor marijuana arrests. (Less than 20 grams.) These are cases that frequently present search and seizure issues. Although charged as a misdemeanor, a conviction for marijuana possession has cumulative impact and a possible loss of the driving privilege in Florida.
Case Selections
Please choose any of the following links to navigate to their sub-section.
DUI Manslaughter
A young woman professional was involved in an auto accident in which two people died. She was charged with manslaughter and the charge carried a potential 30 year prison sentence. The case involved extensive investigation and hiring of traffic accident experts to reconstruct the entire accident using identical make and model vehicles as well as videotaping same for use at trial.
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Murder Investigation Intervention
The client’s husband was found murdered near their home in a rural area. When the police were called they immediately focused on the wife as their suspect. Fortunately, she was acquainted with Don Lykkebak and contacted him for assistance. All questioning ceased. Years later the case remains unsolved and the woman has never been charged with the homicide. Instead, Don brought a lawsuit against the insurance company seeking payment to the wife of a substantial policy.
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Drug Possession
A man who owned a business in a local oceanside town was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to sell and delivery of cannabis to a confidential informant. Because this man had a prior record when he was much younger, he was facing prison time. He contacted Don Lykkebak who immediately began investigation of the case. This case resulted in trial.
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Unlawful Search without Warrant
A young woman was in a hotel room with two other individuals. She had paid for the room with cash and one of the bills turned out to be counterfeit currency. The police were called and entered the room without warrant. Contraband was in open view and subsequent search revealed several pounds of marijuana and other illegal drugs. This case was resolved after extensive pretrial hearing to suppress the search and seizure.
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Vehicular Homicide |
Child Abuse Trial
A childcare worker in her 30s with no prior record was accused of child abuse by a disgruntled former employee. She hired Don Lykkebak who mounted a vigorous defense. The case was resolved by trial.
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Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
A tradesman and his girlfriend were awakened late at night by noises of a fight in progress outside their apartment. When he confronted those carousing outside his window, they threatened him and ran up the stairs, beating on his door and damaging a planter. Believing that he and his girlfriend were in jeopardy, he stepped out on his patio with his shotgun. The police had been called and ultimately arrested him for aggravated assault with a firearm. This charge carried a minimum, mandatory sentence of three years in the state prison. It was therefore, extremely serious and merited full attention of his defense team.
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Police Called to Bar; Patron Charged with Battery
A tourist and her fiancée were visiting the Orlando area. They were at a local nightclub and she was confronted by a bouncer (an off-duty police officer in plain clothes) for not paying for a drink. She protested that he had gotten her mixed up with someone else and he then attempted to eject her. She resisted his efforts and pushed his arm away when he reached to grab her. The police were called and she was arrested for battery on a law enforcement officer, a felony charge. Mr. Lykkebak was hired to defend these charges.
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Cocaine Charge/Search & Seizure |
Minor Traffic Stop and Drug Search
A man who worked for a well-known corporation was stopped by the police for failure to stop at a stop sign. Because he was in a known drug area of town, his vehicle was searched and a small amount of cocaine was discovered in the search. Mr. Lykkebak was retained and the case was resolved after hearing on a motion to suppress.
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Ulterior Motive for Spouse Abuse Charge
A prominent civil engineer was accused of domestic battery by his wife, a non-U.S. citizen who had overstayed her visa. During trial the facts established that the wife orchestrated the false accusation solely to support a simultaneously filed petition as an alleged abused spouse in an effort to cure her immigration problem and therefore, remain in the United States.
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Parent’s Job Influences Murder Charge in Tragic Death
A young mother, who worked nights in the adult entertainment industry, fell asleep in her home during the afternoon. Her young child and another child she was watching slipped out the back door and drowned in a swimming pool. The State Attorney charged her with aggravated manslaughter, felony murder and child abuse. If convicted, she was exposed to a sentence of 27 to 46 years in state prison. The three-day trial was featured in its entirety on Court TV.
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Complex Mortgage Fraud
A young woman professional was charged with two others in a multi-count indictment brought by the Statewide Prosecutor for mortgage fraud and grand theft alleging the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Her family hired Mr. Lykkebak. The case was resolved after a three-week trial.
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Robbery Charge & Mandatory Sentencing Threatens Young Man
A man in his mid-twenties was charged with robbery with a firearm. Because of his prior arrest record and the prison penalties associated with the crime, he faced substantial prison time if convicted. Representation required a three-day trial.
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Sexual Battery Charge by Girlfriend
A young man was arrested and charged with sexual battery. The alleged victim was his girlfriend at the time of the incident. Disposition required another three-day jury trial.
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Prison Sting Operation Results in Inmate Prosecution
After a joint operation by Federal prison officials and the FBI in a reverse-sting, a prison inmate was charged in a multi-count indictment with conspiracy and introduction of contraband (marijuana) into a penitentiary. Mr. Lykkebak was hired by the inmate’s family. A five-day trial in Federal District Court followed.
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Bail Bondsman’s Former Clients Become Accusers in Drug Charge
A bail bondsman was indicted in Federal District Court for conspiracy to sell and distribute heroin. Witnesses for the prosecution were inmates from the Federal penitentiary who had all made the bondsman’s acquaintance when they previously hired him to post bonds for them. Jury trial.
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Incident with Border Patrol Exposes Innocent Woman to Serious Battery Charges |
Local Mayor/Election Fraud
The Mayor of a local Central Florida community was indicted for election fraud and irregularities involving the solicitation and counting of absentee ballots. Case resulted in jury trial of approximately one week.
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Representing Another Lawyer Accused of Several Serious Crimes
A Florida lawyer who was also a former State Circuit Judge was charged with subornation of perjury, obstruction of justice, falsification of union records and embezzlement of union funds. The lawyer had formerly represented his accusers at their own Federal trial alleging the bombing of a trucking company. Those former clients were convicted. Now his former clients accused their lawyer. Don Lykkebak represented that lawyer in a two-week trial. That lawyer recently celebrated his 50 year anniversary as a member of the Florida Bar.
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Part of the Crew Smuggling 17,000 Pounds of Marijuana
An Orlando man was indicted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. The charge was smuggling 17,000 pounds of marijuana into the United States. A DC-3 full of marijuana had been intercepted in Lake County, Florida and the plane with marijuana seized. It was alleged that the accused was one of the off-loaders present at the off-load site. Mr. Lykkebak represented the accused at trial in Miami.
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Illegal Arms Sales In “Iranscam” Case
A Lebanese citizen and his Iranian spouse (permanent resident aliens in the United States) were both accused of attempting to sell anti-tank missiles to Iran. This followed a lengthy FBI sting operation extending from Florida to California. The news media nicknamed this case “Iranscam.” It featured a government informant with extensive organized crime history. A five-week trial in U.S. District Court in Orlando was required.
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Seven Week Trial in Cocaine & Marijuana Trafficking
An Osceola County electrical contractor was indicted in Federal Court in the Southern District of Florida, Key West Division, in an extensive multi-defendant, multi-count indictment alleging marijuana and cocaine trafficking. The indictment was nicknamed “The Bubba Bust” referring to the large number of Key West officials and citizens included in the Indictment. The trial lasted approximately seven weeks.
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Sting Operation by U.S. Customs Entraps Doctor
A German ophthalmologist and a colleague from Spain were arrested in Orlando after a reverse sting operation conducted by U.S. Customs. They were indicted in Federal Court in Orlando for the attempted unlawful sale of anti-tank missiles to Libya and Iraq. The trial extended approximately one month. Expert assistance hired by Mr. Lykkebak in enhancing voices and eliminating background noise on undercover recordings was instrumental in the result.
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Election Fraud
Mr. Lykkebak’s client who had narrowly lost a close election for mayor of Orlando was indicted by a special prosecutor appointed by the governor. The charges were for election fraud and receipt of illegal campaign contributions. The case was resolved after an aggressive investigation and pre-trial preparation.
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Burglary |
Aggravated Child Abuse
A local physician was arrested for aggravated child abuse with charges that he disciplined his son threatening him with an electric cattle prod. Extensive research and aggressive defense required.
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Battery Upon a Law Enforcement Officer
A Florida lawyer and his brother, also an attorney, were both accused of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting with violence while visiting a local downtown restaurant. The arrest followed a false accusation of vandalism inside the restaurant. A one week trial involving both men concluded this case.
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Armed Bank Robbery
Computer programmer indicted in Federal District Court for armed bank robbery. The indictment occurred only days before the lapse of the five year statute of limitations. At trial evidence of a poor investigation by the FBI, including inherently unfair photo line-up employed against the client, contributed to the result in this case.
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Civil Suit for False Arrest and False Imprisonment
Young man arrested outside Winn Dixie grocery store for alleged shoplifting. He was caused to stand handcuffed while the local neighborhood looked on. After the criminal case was resolved, the case was followed by a civil suit alleging false arrest and false imprisonment.
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Foster Parent Accused of Child Abuse
A foster parent was accused of alleged child abuse upon children in her care. Because of the nature of the allegations, there was high level publicity in both the television and print media. Mr. Lykkebak’s assistance was solicited by the lady’s pastor and her church congregation. Case was resolved after pretrial hearings.
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Cocaine Trafficking/Armed
Defendant and girlfriend prosecuted in Federal District Court after search warrant uncovered 2-1/2 kilos of cocaine and numerous semi-automatic weapons. Case involved challenge to dog sniff and expert testimony contesting the reliability of canine evidence which hearing took testimony for one full day. Case resolve after two days of trial.
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Doctor Accused of Misconduct in Office
Physician prosecuted for allegedly molesting a patient during diagnostic examination. Disposed by jury trial.
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Self Defense Attempted Homicide |
Counterfeit Trademarked Goods
Defendant who was a foreign national was indicted in Federal District Court for trading in counterfeit and knock-off trademarked merchandise from well-known national brands. Case involved product seized from warehouses and with alleged retail value estimated at over $100,000.00.
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Bank Fraud |
Narcotics cases of the nature listed below are routinely handled at all times.
Conspiracy and Trafficking in Marijuana
Defendant indicted in Federal District Court for conspiracy to traffic in marijuana. Charges were based on informant testimony reporting incidents occurring several years prior to the Indictment. Case resolved.
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Conspiracy and Trafficking in Cocaine
Example 1: Defendant traveled with friend to Florida and was charged in State Circuit Court with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine. Unbeknownst to defendant, his friend was traveling for the purpose of negotiating a large purchase of cocaine. The individuals with whom the friend was negotiating were local narcotics agents. Both men were arrested. Case resolved after two-day trial.
Example 2: Former motorcycle gang member charged in a multi-count Indictment in Federal District Court for drug-related crimes. Case resolved.
Example 3: Self-employed small business owner indicted in Federal District Court for money laundering in connection with drug trafficking. Case resolved.
Fraud & Public Graft
Former Federal employee questioned in connection with purchase of personal property for himself and others while overseas. Case disposed. A civil action was later instituted by the client for damages.
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Drug Trafficking
Example 1: Local business owner charged with operating drug enterprise through his businesses. Defendant was charged by the Statewide prosecutor in a multi-count, multi-defendant case with trafficking in cocaine. The case involved many hours of tape recordings from wire tap surveillance and numerous witnesses. Case resolved.
Example 2: Defendant was indicted in Federal District Court with conspiracy to sell, deliver or purchase crack cocaine. Case resolved.
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Fugitive Warrant/Probation
Middle-aged, disabled man now living in a western state was threatened with loss of his disability and social security benefits because of an almost 20-year old warrant for violation of probation. Case disposed after hearing.
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Attempted Armed Robbery
Man tried to talk his friend out of criminal scheme while driving him to the scene of the planned offense. As a result he was also charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery in Osceola County. Case resolved.
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Embezzlement and Forgery
Private commercial pilot charged by his former business partner with embezzlement and forgery. The case involved many paper transactions and review of corporate history. Aggressive defense assisted by an experienced white collar investigator was required. Case resolved.
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Battery on Law Enforcement Officer
Pre-med student charged at local nightclub establishment with battery on law enforcement officer who was at the time working off duty as security for the club. This is a very common scenario, often repeated at clubs in downtown Orlando and resulting in arrests routinely seen by Mr. Lykkebak. Case resolved.
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Robbery
Volusia County man giving ride to an acquaintance was charged with strong arm robbery of that acquaintance. Defendant was also later charged by the police with drug possession when officers went to his home to arrest him on the robbery charge. Both cases resolved.
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Violation of Probation
Disabled veteran on limited income was charged and incarcerated with violation of his probation after the term of probation had already ended. He was held in jail without bond for several days before Mr. Lykkebak was notified. A civil suit was later filed.
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What if your case is the focus of unwelcome media attention?
Is your case one which attracts significant public interest? Although most criminal investigations do not make it to the front page of the newspaper, it is a fact of contemporary life that some do. When a person is arrested damaging publicity is often a concern. As the following short summaries illustrate, seeking the help of excellent criminal defense can often mean the difference between prison and the stigma of a felony conviction, or it can be minimizing consequences and having the chance to move your life forward in a positive direction again. Even acquittal does not 100% restore a tarnished reputation. You and your lawyer should handle the attention your arrest receives very carefully. You can live with the fallout the rest of your life.
In any given week, somewhere in Central Florida, a criminal allegation seems to become the subject of unusual media scrutiny. During his career as a criminal defense lawyer, Don Lykkebak has represented a number of people whose alleged crimes were high-profile. Sometimes this arises because of an individual’s professional position or the prominence of his particular business. Sometimes it is the unusual nature of the accusation that attracts unwarranted interest. In these cases, not only is a person’s freedom on the line, but also the reputation of the accused and his family is significantly jeopardized.
For example, in the early 1990s Mr. Lykkebak represented a 19-year-old college student who became the chief suspect in the murder of five University of Florida students. Although he was completely innocent of these horrific murders, it took years of constantly defending himself both to prosecutors and to the public before he was finally able to resume as normal life as possible. His civil rights were fully restored after a hearing before the governor and his entire cabinet.