Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Bernard Madoff was sentenced on June 29, 2009 to 150 years in federal prison for his white-collar crimes in Los Angeles as well as throughout the United States. His Los Angeles Ponzi scheme effected thousands of victims. Many were here in Southern California, but the fraud was determined to have occurred throughout the world. Madoff was represented by a top notch Los Angeles white-collar defense attorney.

The sentence was the absolute maximum that United States District Court Judge Denny Chin was able to imposed under the Federal sentencing guidelines. US Marshalls had to quiet the gallery when the spectators let out screams of joy as the 71-year-old Madoff was sentenced. Southern California White-collar crimes usually do not carry heavy sentences. Usually, people are able to payback some or all o the victim's money and the courts tend to go more lenient on the defendants. For example, a well known Hollywood producer was recently arrested for stealing half a million dollars from a major movie studio here in Los Angeles. The Southern California white-collar defense attorney was able to convince the District Attorney to allow the defendant to plead to one felony count of forgery with no jail time, and after three years of probation, the case can be reduced to a misdemeanor and dismissed from his record entirely.

Those interviewed outside of the courthouse claimed that Madoff was a given a life sentence just as the victims had been a life sentence for the loss of their entire fortunes at the hands of Madoff.

Continue reading " Bernie (Bernard) Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years for Los Angeles White Collar Crimes " »

Superstar Michael Jackson and Actress Farrah Fawcett both died today, June 25, 2009. Both of these superstars had repeated run in with the law. Fawcett was arrested for a Los Angeles DUI case that involved driving under the influence of drugs in Southern California.

Facts showed that she was seen driving in an erratic manner that gave police suspicion to arrest her. Her Los Angeles DUI defense attorney was able to work on the case in an aggressive manner that resulted in a very advantageous deal.

It is with great sadness that she died after a very long and public battle with cancer. Her family and loved ones were present with her when she passed.

The second death reported today was that of Michael Jackson. The pop star who had repeatedly fought charges of child molestation and other charges, died of an apparent heart attack at the home that was being rented for him. He was at home preparing for a 50 concert series in London.

It is being reported that Michael Jackson was fighting off a Los Angeles drug crime addition to prescription drugs. He was fighting this addiction for many years and passed away at home. Firefighters worked for over an hour to revive him. While all efforts were made to assist him, Jackson never regained conscious.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Loses Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett " »

On June 22, 2009, actor Chris Brown will face the judge for his Los Angeles assault on Rhianna. The prosecution will need to prove that Brown assaulted and verbally threatened Rhianna several months ago. Brown is being defended by his legal team composed of Los Angeles assault defense attorneys. Now it will be the time when rumors and innuendo is put aside and the facts will be put forth under oath.

Brown will have a preliminary hearing. This is a court proceeding in which the prosecution will have to prove that a crime was committed and more likely then not, Brown committed the crime. This standard of proof is very low at this point for the prosecution. They do not have to put all of their evidence on the table, just enough to tip the scales of justice.

Rhianna has been subpoenaed to appear in court and she is expected to testify truthfully against Brown. It will be her testimony that determines if Brown will eventually face custody time in jail or prison, or if the charges are reduced to misdemeanors or even dismissed.

Continue reading " Chris Brown will be ina Los Angeles Courtroom to Face Multiple Felony Charges for his Los Angeles Assault " »

Lindsay Lohan is being investigated for grand theft of the $400,000 worth of jewels from Dior she was wearing at her Elle Magazine photo shoot. Scotland Yard has been brought in to review the facts surrounding the lost jewels. The items, a diamond necklace and diamond earrings, were reported stolen right after she wore them on June 6, 2009.

According to sources close to the investigation, Lohan admired the jewels and asked if she could keep them. The jewels were not reported stolen for two days. At that time, Central London Police were notified.

Los Angeles grand theft crimes need to be defended by a Los Angeles grand theft defense attorney. People who are charged and convicted of a grand theft could be sent to prison for 3 years if the case is a felony. After release from prison, the person will be on parole and will have to be monitored. That is why if you or someone you know is being investigated for a South California grand theft crime, they should immediately hire a theft crime defense attorney who will handle the pre-filing investigation and assist that person early on even before the case is filed.

Continue reading " Lindsay Lohan Under Investigation for Grand Theft of Jewels in England " »

The DUI manslaughter case of Donte Stallworth ended this week with a surprise. The famous football player plead to a DUI manslaughter charge after he hit and killed a pedestrian in Miami on March 14 of this year. Stallworth was driving his Bentley with a blood alcohol level of .126, almost twice the legal limit. The legal limit in Miami for a DUI is the same as for a Los Angeles DUI, .08 by weight.

According to news result, Stallworth had been drinking and then ended up driving down the street when 59-year-old Mario Reyes jumped out between two parked cars trying to cross the street to get to a bus.

Most people were outraged by the low jail sentence of 30 days plus two years of house arrest. However, his pre-filing DUI defense attorney most likely made the difference in this case. By intervening early on his behalf, Stallworth was able to have his DUI attorney raise legal questions that may of given prosecutors pause in deciding how hard to fight this case.

In order for the prosecution to prove that Stallworth was driving under the influence, the District Attorney would need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following: 1) that he was driving with a high blood alcohol level, and 2) that while driving he committed an illegal act. Most Los Angeles DUI cases are proven when the driver crosses over the double yellow line, hits a parked car, or runs a red light. The very act of committing one of these violations is direct evidence of driving under the influence. Because the victim in the Stallworth case jumped into traffic, he might have contributed to his death and even a sober person might have hit him. Therefore, there were proof problems in the case and the prosecution decided to plead the case out for little jail time. Stallworth also paid the family of the victim for their loss and that also helped his case.

Continue reading " Donte Stallworth Gets 30 Days for DUI Death Case " »

Singer Rihanna has been subpoenaed for the up coming criminal case against Chris Brown. Her attorney's have publicly stated that she was served with a criminal subpoena served on behalf of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office for the June 22, 2009 hearing.

Under state law, if she fails to appear after being properly served with the subpoena, she could be arrested and jailed. However, former Deputy District Attorney Michael Kraut, now managing attorney of the Kraut Law Group, has stated that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has a policy of not arresting domestic violence victims if they fail to appear or testify at a criminal hearing.

The June 22, 2009 hearing, will be a preliminary hearing in which the prosecution must put forth evidence to show that a crime was committed and that the evidence points to Chris Brown committing the crime.

If she testifies as expected, it is likely that Chris Brown will be held to answer on several serious felony crimes.

Continue reading " Rihanna Subpoenaed on the Chris Brown Los Angeles Domestic Violence case " »