In 2021, Mr. K. faced charges related to online communication with a minor. The investigation qualified his actions as other acts of a sexual nature under Art. 132(4)(b) of the Russian Criminal Code.
His mother approached attorney Sergey Nikolaev.
What defense counsel did
- A clear position on the case was agreed with the client.
- A voluntary surrender statement reported an additional episode.
- A pre-trial cooperation agreement was concluded.
- Materials confirming mitigating circumstances were collected.
Result
Through these actions, attorney Sergey Nikolaev secured the client's house arrest before sentencing. The final sentence was 6 years of imprisonment, while the sanction of the article provides 12 to 20 years.
A pre-trial agreement is not "confessing in exchange for leniency". It is a tool that only works with a competent procedural strategy and a complete picture of the circumstances.