Court Break Incident – Pre-Hallway Conversation, Binder Notice & Attorney Response

This page documents a factual record of the events that occurred before the start of the non jury trial in superior court, including what was said by the parties, what was overheard by the courtroom bailiff, and the sequence of digital and physical notice regarding the criminal-charge binder.

Attorney Profile Screenshot

Newspaper Article about Steven D. Silverstein

Public article screenshot regarding Attorney Steven D. Silverstein.

Binder Video Thumbnail

Thumbnail of criminal-charge binder video

Image from the 15-minute binder video sent before the physical package arrived.

 

“Criminal Binder Flip-Through” – 15:00 minutes. Demonstrates payments, charges, and evidence.

"Factual Hallway Conversation (Overheard by Bailiff)

During the break in court, as all parties were returning to the courtroom after several weeks away, the following exchange occurred in the hallway. This conversation was audible and most was overheard by the official courtroom bailiff who was standing nearby.

1. Phat Tran’s Question to Attorney Silverstein
Phat asked Attorney Steven D. Silverstein in the Hall about the binder and video that had been delivered to his office:
“What about that binder he sent me?”

2. Silverstein’s Response to His Client
Silverstein replied to Phat:
“I got one also, but this is a civil trial. He’s not going to get anything.”

3. Complainant’s Statement to Silverstein
As the defendent I stated that continuing to represent a person who was making false statements to the court could have consequences to your livelhood. The remark referenced a monetary figure $100,000, which I clarified was not a contract offer, but a statement about what it was going to cost him to fight not to close his practace and if he did not interfer with a legal investigation I would refund him 10%.

4. Bailiff’s Clarification
The bailiff intervened:
“That’s not a lawful contract.”
I immediately clarified:
“It’s not a contract — it’s a refund for just following the law.”

5. Bailiff’s Later Comment
As the discussion concluded, the complainant asked how he had done against an attorney with approximately 30 years of eviction-practice experience. The bailiff remarked:
“You’re golden.”

Digital + Physical Notice Timeline

Before the physical criminal-charge binder arrived via certified mail, a 15-minute video showing the entire contents of the binder was sent electronically to both Attorney Silverstein and Phat Tran.

The physical package was later signed for by Phat K. Tran at his workplace. (See postal receipt.)



This establishes:

For the District Attorney a few of the images sent to Tran/Silverstein

Given that:

Did Attorney Silverstein’s reassurance to his client constitute inaccurate or misleading legal advice regarding the nature and seriousness of the evidence, and did it influence the statements taken in court?

This page is submitted solely as a factual, recorded sequence of events.