Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Most Southern California DUI news stories and blog posts report only on the latest headlines. But sometimes the most important stories percolate for weeks without getting due attention. To that end, let’s examine relevant developments that could impact your driving and your safety.

1. CHP will serve over 6,000 warrants for individuals who’ve ignored DUI court appearances.

According to official sources, the California Highway Patrol is going to serve 6,000 warrants for drivers who were caught driving under the influence in Southern California and elsewhere throughout the state who did not show up for court appearances. These warrants should be out by September 30th. Individuals who have outstanding warrants can turn themselves in. Celebrities are not exempt from this hunt. As this blog reported, Jani Lane, former lead singer of the band Warrant, was issued a warrant last month for failing to show up to a Los Angeles DUI hearing.

2. Increase in traffic fines may be impacting Southern California road safety.

On January 1st, 2009, the California legislature passed a law that increased fines for traffic infractions by up to 150%. The revenues from these fines have paid for construction of new courthouses. The imposition of higher fines should theoretically deter bad driving, but it is uncertain whether the deterrent works. More studies need to be done to demonstrate a clear cause and effect relationship.

3. Mandatory Interlock Ignition Device program for first time Los Angeles DUI offenders is moving forward.

As regular readers of this blog may know, as of in January 2010, first time DUI offenders may be forced to install Interlock Ignition Devices in their vehicles as part of a pilot program to deter recidivism. The IID is a breathalyzer-like device that prevents you from turning on your car unless you blow into it and blow a “clean” reading (BAC = 0.00%).

In addition to the mandatory IID installation, first time offenders can face other undesirable penalties for driving under the influence in Southern California such as:

• Mandatory two days (48 hours) behind bars
• Strict terms of probation
• Mandatory alcohol school
• California drivers license suspension for a full year
• Potential elevation of the misdemeanor charge to a felony in the event of an injury DUI
• Fine of $1,000
• Court costs (often way in excess of $1,000)
• Unquantifiable anguish, frustration, and lost time dealing with the arrest, and the direct and indirect consequences of the arrest

4. Former DUI prosecutor now available to help Los Angeles DUI defendants.

Continue reading "Southern California DUI News Updates – Quick Reports on Stuff You Should Know" »

For years, we have been treated to a media spectacle: a seemingly endless parade of celebrity Los Angeles DUI violators apologizing to us on TV, on radio, and in print. Although Tiger Woods’ mea culpa last Friday had nothing to do directly with the string of celebrity DUIs that have graced our tabloids recently, his apology is in many ways one-of-a-piece with other celebrity self-flagellations we’ve collectively endured.

What is behind the following cycle?

#1. A celebrity does something obviously wrong. (From Nick Nolte to Mel Gibson to Lindsay Lohan to Stephanie Pratt, that “something” has been a Los Angeles DUI. For Tiger Woods, it was a string of infidelities.)

#2. Deny the wrongdoing or diminish it somehow.

#3. When the evidence becomes so overwhelming that the celebrity cannot get out from the glare of the spotlight, capitulate and make public amends.

#4. The public grants absolution (or not), and the celebrity gets off the hook (or not).

#5. The public gets distracted by the next celebrity crime/gaffe/outrageous statement.

If Tiger Woods’ infidelities and celebrity Los Angeles DUI events were victimless crimes, this cycle would be nothing more than frivolous theater for the masses. But real people can and do get hurt. In Tiger’s case, no one was actually physically injured. But in cases of celebrity hit and run accidents, for instance, people and property get damaged.

Moreover, when we see authority figures (celebrities, politicians, athletes) behaving badly, it gives other people a kind of permission to behave badly as well, indirectly.

So how can we solve the seemingly intractable problem of celebrities behaving badly -- committing public infidelities, lying to confidantes and to the public, and driving under the influence in Hollywood and elsewhere in Los Angeles?

Obviously, this blog cannot on its own solve the mess. But what we can do is to sketch out the law a little clearer, so that people can understand it and abide by it better.

Two key laws are found in the California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) and 23152(b). According to 23152(a), if the Southern California police stop you while you are driving DUI or under the influence of drugs, you can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or felony. If you wind up convicted of this crime, you can lose your California drivers license, be forced to pay significant fines and court costs, get points on your DMV record, and suffer all sorts of indirect consequences from the arrest and conviction.

23152(b) defines the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration at 0.08%. In other words, if you drive with this BAC or higher, you can be arrested and convicted for driving under the influence.

Building a stout defense to charges of driving under the influence in Beverly Hills or anywhere else in Southern California can challenge even veteran attorneys. The law is complex, and prosecutors tend to come down hard on DUI offenders -- even first time offenders. Fortunately, a good attorney can make a real difference.

Continue reading "Celebrity Los Angeles DUI Arrests and Tiger Woods: The Art of The Public Apology" »

In last Sunday's New York Times, writer Ryan Gabrielson reported that Southern California DUI checkpoints often spell serious trouble for unlicensed motorists. In 2009, nearly 24,000 cars were seized at Southern California DUI checkpoints -- netting around $40 million for the state in fines, towing fees, and other costs. Each impounding can run up to $4,000 or more -- usually much more than many motorists can afford to pay.

Times readers reacted passionately to the story. Some readers argued that the impounding is useful and fair. Others argued that the practice victimizes the poorest people in Southern California and constitutes what's in essence an extra tax on unlicensed drivers.

Those in favor of the police actions argued that uninsured motorists/unlicensed drivers often cause havoc on Southern California roadways. If one of these drivers hits another vehicle and then flees the scene, the driver who got hit (and possibly injured) must foot the bill for repairs and medical costs, if his or her insurance company won't help.

On the other hand, the draconian punishments for non-DUI checkpoint offenders may distract police from their primary mission of stopping driving under the influence in Burbank (and elsewhere). The practice also seriously hurts people who are just scraping by on the margins of society. Take away these people's vehicles, argues the other side, and they may no longer be able to hold down jobs. Some may even turn to crime to pay the bills.

Obviously, this blog can't resolve such a complex and multifaceted issue. But we can provide some basic information to educate Southern California drivers.

For instance, did you know that if you're pulled over for suspected DUI in Southern California, the police will look for so-called objective symptoms of DUI? These symptoms can include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Fumbling and stumbling
• Slurred or incoherent speech
• Contradictory stories of where you have been, or what you are doing on the road
• Slow or belligerent responses to officer questions
• Inappropriate emotional reactions to being pulled over
• Smell of alcohol on you
• Blurry, bloodshot, or unusually dilated eyes
• Shifty or slovenly appearance
• Poorly maintained vehicle
• Terrible driving

If you or loved one has been pulled over for driving under the influence in Burbank, it may feel like your world is collapsing around you. Who should you talk to? What might happen to you? What steps should you take to defend yourselves against the charges?

Continue reading "Southern California DUI Checkpoints Used to Nab Unlicensed Drivers: Is This Practice Fair?" »

Celebrity Beverly Hills DUI arrests regularly grace the pages of our tabloid newspapers (see, for instance, DUIs involving Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, Nick Nolte and, most recently, Adrian Pasdar). But the non-celebrities among us do not seem to be faring much better when it comes to avoiding the long arm of the law.

A recent Men’s Health Survey (due to be published in March) finds that 3 of the top 10 “drunkest” cities in United States belong to the Golden State; Riverside, Bakersfield, and Fresno all rank among the “most drunk” cities.

The survey took into account an array of factors. The magazine investigated CDC data re: alcohol liver disease, Southern California DUI fatal car crashes (viz the Fatality Analysis Reporting System), and the total number of DUI arrests (viz the FBI). The magazine even cross-compared DUI punishments to assess the relative drunkenness of metropolises.

Fresno ranked as the worst city; Riverside as the fourth worst city; and Bakersfield as the tenth worst city. Curiously, Boston, Massachusetts was the least drunk city. This may come as a surprise to many people, given that Boston is home to Samuel Adams beer as well as to a plethora of colleges, including Harvard, MIT, Boston University and many, many others.

New York City also got off relatively easy in the survey. Perhaps Boston and NYC fared better because the two East Coast cities have lots of public transportation; thus, maybe there were simply fewer opportunities for DUI driving.

Nevertheless, the Men’s Health Survey serves as a sobering reminder of the perils of Southern California DUI -- for both individuals and for our community.

Practically everyone -- from law enforcement officials to criminal defense attorneys representing Hollywood DUI clients -- agrees that driving and alcohol consumption don’t mix and that we need to better fixes for roadway safety. To move in this direction, we must understand when and how to tell whether a driver is intoxicated.

Beverly Hills DUI officers look for an array of symptoms whenever they pull over a suspected driver. These include but are not limited to:

• Disheveled appearance
• Bizarre or dangerous driving
• Poor motor coordination
• Fumbling with driver’s license and registration
• Incoherent or paradoxical stories of where the person has been
• Slow or inappropriate responses to police questions
• Watery eyes
• Smell of alcohol in the car or on the person
• Other inappropriate demeanor or actions

Crafting an intelligent defense to charges of driving under the influence in Beverly Hills means first and foremost understanding what the law stipulates and how the trial process for DUI typically proceeds.

Continue reading "Concerned about Southern California DUI? You’re not alone: Men’s Health Survey rates three CA cities as “drunkest” in the US." »

From Burbank DUI drivers to debris in lanes to ferocious traffic snarls, Southern California's freeways present a gallery of challenges to drivers. Here's a quick guide to the obstacles we frequently encounter thanks to our tangled freeway system.

Rush-hour gridlock from 6 AM through 9 PM... and often on weekends.

The massive, never-abating congestion on freeways like the 10, the 405, and the 101 (but not the 90!) causes much consternation to newbie drivers. Whether you join the queue at six in the morning on the way to work; or you encounter a surprise snarl at 9 PM on a Sunday, be forewarned that stop-and-go traffic can be quite treacherous. Obviously, it's hard to get into a serious injury accident going 5 mph. But when traffic thaws - after an obstacle is removed from the road, for instance - conditions can become quickly fluid, and accidents can easily occur. Just like a melting glacier presents challenges to hikers walking on top of it, so can a flowing traffic jam be extra dangerous to cars caught in the middle of it. So when the traffic breaks up, be on extra alert.

Freeways at night can turn into grand prix racing grounds.

The 405 is not always packed with cars, contrary to the impressions of daily commuters. At night, Southern California's capacious freeways empty out. This attracts a different kind of hazard -- the speedster. As reported on our Southern California DUI blog, a local television actor (Adrian Pasdar) was arrested just last week for driving 94 mph on the 405 near Santa Monica Blvd. DUI drivers, careless drivers, bad lighting, and highway maintenance projects can turn freeways into veritable obstacle courses.

Distractible drivers.

Southern Californians have an ongoing (and unfortunate... for many reasons) love affair with the cell phone/personal digital assistant. Driving while texting or talking on a cell phone can be hugely problematic -- perhaps even more dangerous than driving under the influence in Southern California. A recent study found that California's anti-cellphone-while-driving law has not resolved the problem -- perhaps because the law required only that drivers speak on headsets instead of requiring that they refrain from talking on the phone altogether while driving.

In any event, by paying extra attention to the road -- and not yapping on the cell phone, getting distracted by billboards or local celebrity sightings, or sightings of paparazzi spotting local celebrities -- you can hopefully mitigate some of the risks posed by other distracted drivers.

Understand the penalties for driving under the influence in Burbank and elsewhere in Southern California.

Many people think that getting a first-time DUI is akin to getting a speeding ticket. But a DUI is no mere infraction. According to the law, even a first-time DUI offender can be charged with a misdemeanor -- or even a felony, depending on the circumstances. If you're convicted of even a misdemeanor Burbank DUI, the court can impose a crushing array of penalties including but not limited to:

* minimum of 48 hours in jail (two full days)
* court costs and fines of potentially thousands of dollars
* mandatory alcohol school in probation
* suspension of license for a full year
* pursuant to a law that went into effect on January 1, first time DUI offenders must install an interlock ignition device (IID) in their vehicles. This means that you must blow into a Breathalyzer-like device every time you want to start your car.

Obviously, the punishments for driving DUI in Burbank are unpleasant, to say the least. But what can you do if you or a loved one has been arrested and charged?

There are many wrong paths to take. If you lack knowledge of how the court system processes Southern California DUIs, you could easily take one of these inferior paths and compromise your future. Fortunately, good help is available.

Continue reading "Burbank DUI Drivers and Other Hazards: How to Handle Southern California's Wild Freeways" »

The problem of driving under the influence in West Hollywood is a perennial one. On weekend nights and certain holidays (especially Halloween), the surface streets in West Hollywood become extremely hazardous to both pedestrians and drivers. Here, we provide some tips for how to (hopefully) drive safer and smarter in and around the City of West Hollywood.

1. Limit your driving on party nights.

As long time residents know, the City of West Hollywood comes alive on weekend nights -- particularly along the stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard from Doheny east to La Cenega. The Sunset Strip (to the north) is also the site of many arrests for DUI in Hollywood.

Hard partying drivers pose risks not only to other cars on the roads but also to pedestrians. According to authors Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner (SuperFreakonomics), walking while under the influence of alcohol may be even MORE dangerous than driving under the influence, per mile traveled. So pedestrians and drivers alike should be particularly cautious in the “party zones” -- especially during weekends and holidays.

2. DUI drivers who get distracted while looking for parking spots can be doubly dangerous.

Parking restrictions abound in West Hollywood. Trying to finagle a parking space, especially near the clubs and restaurants along Robertson, Santa Monica Boulevard, and La Cienega Blvd, can be perilous even if you're driving sober and in the middle of the day. The constant cat and mouse game that is the quest to find parking in West Hollywood can result in drivers becoming extremely distracted. When you combine this with alcohol in any form, the dangers skyrocket.

3. Certain intersections have a reputation for being unwieldy.

The intersections of Santa Monica Boulevard with north-south streets like Fairfax, La Cienega, and Doheny, for instance, can get crowded and competitive during rush hour. So be extra mindful at these big intersections. Watch for drivers cutting across traffic or breaking other rules.

4. DUI in West Hollywood dangers can actually increase when fewer cars are on the roads.

During the day, when most of Los Angeles is stuck in a perpetual traffic gridlock, cars obviously have to drive slower, and thus the potential dangers of injuries from certain collisions decrease. When the traffic frees up -- during the evening hours and sometimes in the weekends -- cars naturally speed up. While this makes getting around West Hollywood a little easier, it also poses problems. DUI in Hollywood collisions are more likely to lead to injuries and death, for instance. This hazard can be compounded on the weekends because certain neighborhoods will clog up with traffic (people going into and out of popular clubs and restaurants), and thus there's a lot of stop and go action on the roads, which can make things even scarier -- particularly when you add DUI in West Hollywood drivers to the mix.

The laws governing DUI in West Hollywood are the same as the laws that govern DUI elsewhere in the state. Two sections of the law are particularly relevant -- California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) and California Vehicle Code Section 23152(b). These sections outline precisely what constitutes the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and sets forth the (many) punishments that can be handed out to violators. Two related laws, California Vehicle Code Section 23153(a) and California Vehicle Code Section 23153(b), outline the crime of Southern California DUI with injury and stipulate the punishments for that crime.

To build a stiff defense against any of these charges, it helps to retain a lawyer who has a deep working understanding of Southern California judicial system from both the prosecutorial and defense side.

Continue reading "DUI in West Hollywood Dangers -- How to Avoid Them" »

1. Driving under the influence in Los Angeles will not be the only major challenge facing law enforcement agents in 2010 -- driving while texting/phoning is also a huge issue.

A cell-phone-talking/texting epidemic has overrun Southern California. As more and more people become dependent on mobile devices to get through their lives, more and more drivers become inattentive. Left unchecked, this epidemic of distraction will surely lead to an increase in the number of injury accidents and deaths on our roads and freeways.

2. An increase in media distractions.

We face dangers not just from drivers who text but also from distractions such as flashing billboards (e.g. on Sunset Boulevard), billboards that change as we drive past them (e.g. on Pico Boulevard just west of Beverly Drive), and other intrusive forms of media, such as satellite radio. All these drags on our attention could ultimately lead to an increase in accident injuries.

3. General degradation of California’s highway and surface street infrastructure.

The California budget crisis has made it difficult for the state to spend necessary money on roadside repairs and upgrades to infrastructure. A dearth of road improvements will almost definitely translate into greater dangers for drivers.

4. The increase in diabetes and obesity in our population poses an indirect hazard to drivers.

As the obesity/diabetes epidemic spreads, more and more sick, inflexible, and medicated drivers are getting on our roads, and this likely poses a serious public safety challenge.

5. Failure of rehabilitation programs.

Recidivist alcoholics are at higher risk for DUI. Unless and until we find a more effective and less costly way to curb alcoholism and addiction in our population, we will face a greater risk -- not only of Southern California DUI injury accidents -- but also of other safety problems.

6. Problems educating underage drivers.

Today’s youth are bombarded with distractions that did not exist even a decade ago -- such as social networking, twittering, and other relentlessly aggressive technologies. These youth may be so distracted by these toys that they fail to attend to basic driving skills effectively.

7. Collective habituation to the dangers of DUI in Pasadena and elsewhere in Southern California.

Although driving under the influence in Southern California remains a serious problem, it is a well-known problem. Thus, we don’t hear about the dangers every day, and this lack of awareness likely contributes to increased risk.

8. Better technology can lead to overconfidence.

With GPS systems and other technological gizmos available to many Southern California drivers, overconfidence can easily result. Put too much trust in any automated system -- and relinquish too much control over your automobile -- and road mishaps are almost certainly bound to follow.

9. Better safety technology can lead to an increase in risk tolerance.

The advent of antilock brakes was supposed to slash accident rates across the country. It didn’t -- at least not to the extent that it should have. One theory for why is that drivers who have ABS tend to wait until later to brake -- due to their confidence in safety features. Thus, even though a car built today might objectively safer than a car built in, for instance, in 1985, our collective reliance on “last minute” safety features might ultimately wash out the difference.

10. Failure to get good legal help for charges of Los Angeles DUI...

Continue reading "Ten Concerns Regarding Los Angeles DUI and Other Driving Hazards in 2010" »

As 2009 wraps up, it’s time to turn our attention to Southern California DUI statistics that engaged our attention and reminded us about the dangers and costs of violating California Vehicle Code Sections 23152(a) and 23152(b).

Here are 9 eye-popping numbers:

1. 28,457 - the number of people hurt in accidents in CA in 2008, in which alcohol played a key role, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

2. 1,029 - the number of people killed in “alcohol impaired motor vehicle fatalities” in CA in 2008. The only state with more alcohol auto fatalities in 2008 was Texas (1,269).

3. 214,811 - the number of DUI arrests made in 2008, according to the CHP.

4. 45 - the number of fatalities that occur every day on US roads during the Christmas season. 36 fatalities per day occur on average. 54 on average die on New Year’s Eve -- 40 percent of these fatalities involve alcohol in some capacity.

5. 2,500 -- The number of 2010 sobriety checkpoints that will be funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

6. 4/100,000 -- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS survey, this is the rate of alcohol-related driving fatalities per population nationally.

7. (way more than) 18 -- the number of celebrity Beverly Hills DUI arrests in 2009. For more on the celeb Los Angeles DUI arrests from January through June 2009, see our blog post from 12/16. For more on the July through December DUI arrests, see our blog post from 12/21.

8. 15-20 -- According to the NHTSA publication “Young Drivers” (2009), motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death for young adults age fifteen to twenty.

9. 380 -- according an NHTSA pamphlet called “alcohol impaired driving” (2008), drivers who operate vehicles with BACs of 0.15 percent or greater (it is illegal in California to drive with a BAC of 0.08%) are 380 times more likely to get into Los Angeles DUI crashes that result in death than are sober drivers.

To get effective and reliable help with your DUI charge -- whether it’s a minor misdemeanor Southern California DUI or a serious injury charge -- connect with a reliable lawyer today.

Continue reading "9 Eye-Popping Numbers regarding Southern California DUI in 2009" »

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" »

As we see the beginning of a new President and Vice President for the United States, we will most likely see a new beginning for criminal prosecutions for Los Angeles DUIs and Southern California criminal law.

Already the new administration has claimed that there will be a clamp down on crime. The local administrations have also claimed that they will vigorously prosecute even minor offenses. It will not matter if you are arrested for a Los Angeles DUI, a Long Beach crime, a San Fernando robbery, or a Pasadena DUI, the police will be trying to enforce the law to the fullest. For that reason, it is important to hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who has the experience and knowledge to defend you.

The new emphasis on punishment for minor offenses is going to put regular citizens in a bad position. In the past, judges and prosecutors understood that there is a clear difference between people who are law abiding but who make a mistake, and those who a repeat offenders. Now, even minor offenses are going to punished more severely.

As a former prosecutor, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut, handles criminal matters in the Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. His Harvard Law School training and over 14 years experience as a senior trial prosecutor has put Mr. Kraut in a unique position to defend individuals arrested and charged with Los Angeles based crimes.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime and or you need to hire a Los Angeles pre-filing defense attorney or you are under investigation for violent crime in Southern California, please contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut for 24/7 assistance by phone at (323) 464-6453 or toll free at (888) 334-6344 or online.

In a shift from a decade ago, violent crime in Los Angeles has declined for 6 straight years. Police in this Southern California city are thankful in the decrease. Others worry that the decline will reversed due to the failing economy.

Los Angeles homicides decreased about 5% from the previous year. While that number is not that impressive, the total total drop of 27% in 5 years. Law enforcement claim that the decrease is due to the severe push in gang eradication.

Violent crime has also dropped for other Southern California cities. San Diego saw a slight down turn, while San Bernardino had a 7% decrease, and Orange County also saw a drop in violent crimes

Continue reading "Violent crime down in Los Angeles and Southern California in 2008" »

I want to wish everyone in the Los Angeles and Southern California area who reads or is redirected to this Los Angeles and Southern California Criminal Defense Blog a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. This blog is now six months old and I am pleased that it seems to have helped so many people. I have received many comments from people around the area that they have been helped by the information here.

In an attempt to wrap it up for the year I want to make sure that people are safe for this holiday season. I also want those people people who get into a Los Angeles DUI that if they should be stopped by the police in at a Southern California DUI checkpoint, or by Los Angeles law enforcement, that a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney is available 24/7 to assist if you or a loved one.

Because Southern California DUIs are taken so seriously, you need to know your rights and responsibilities. Remember you do not need to take the Los Angeles Law Enforcement PAS test in the field. If you are stopped by the police make sure to be polite. If they ask you to take the Los Angeles field sobriety tests you must comply. But if they ask or demand that you take a PAS test you are allowed to refuse. It is the recommendation of this Los Angeles DUI defense attorney to refuse this test. It can only be used against you. If you blow a significant BAC then you will be arrested. If you are taken to the police station you will be offered a choice of the breath or blood test. The choice is yours. But try to delay the test as long as possible. The law requires that the blood test must be taken with a specific time. If it is not done within the allotted time then the results will be thrown out in court.

Continue reading "Christmas and Holiday Wishes From Los Angeles and Southern California" »

The California Attorney General filed criminal white collar crime charges against 8 people in the Southern California county of San Bernardino. The charges include theft crimes of money laundering, conspiracy, and grand theft stemming out of Redlands, California.

The charges arose out of a scam that has plagued the mortgage industry after so many people in the City of Redlands had trouble making their house payments. Most of the victims responded to a flier which claimed to be able to help lower house payments for those who have been affected by the recent problems in the economy. The company promised to help home owners so that they would not fall into default and loose their properties in foreclosure.

Those individuals charged in the 39 count complaint most likely knew that they were under investigation. Had they hired a San Bernardino County defense attorney familiar with the officials in Redlands, it is possible that the money could have been returned to the victims and no charges would have been filed in return for full restitution. Or in the alternative, the charges would have been minimal any quite possibly no custody time would be imposed. Now all 8 people are facing decades in prison.

The home owners responded to a flier by a fake company called First Gov, also called Foreclosure Prevention Services. Some paid as much as $6,000 to the fake company to assist them in negotiating with the banks to lower their payments. The victims waited but nothing was ever done to assist them and those charged just stole the money.

Continue reading "California Attorney General Charges 8 People in White Collar Crimes in San Bernardino" »

This morning homes and other property in the San Fernando Valley woke up to flames caused by an arsonist. The fire began at 2 AM on Sunday morning and is suspected to be caused by an arsonist. By early Monday morning, 3,200 acres had burnt so far and with 60 mile per hour Santa Ana winds feeding the fire. In the early morning hours the containment was good until sometime after 7 AM when the winds picked up the number fell to 5% containment. The fire then spread to an additional 1500 acres. The fire is being called the Marek Fire because of the location.

The resources that have responded to this crisis have been amazing. Over 200 fire engines have been assigned to fight the fires . LA County and LA City Fire Departments have assigned over 1000 fire fighters, plus police and other law enforcement personnel to assist the fire personnel.

A mobile home park was fully engulfed in the flames and so far as many as 10 homes have already been lost. People and horses were being evacuated.

Because the fires are now presumed to be suspicious in origin, the police and fire investigators are trying to locate the suspected arsonist. Arson in California is a very serious crime and is considered a "Strike" offense and is punishable by 8 years in prison. Anyone convicted of this serious crime will also be required to pay restitution to all of the victims who lost homes and property as well as the full cost to law enforcement. Anyone suspected of being involved with the fire or is hiding the person who started the fire should immediately hire a Los Angeles arson attorney.

Only a few minutes ago OJ Simpson , and his co-defendant were convicted of 12 different felonies. As most people know 13 years ago the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office unsuccessfully tried Simpson on double murder charges. He was acquitted of all charges and was immediately set free. Soon thereafter he moved to Florida.

Simpson was never able to stay out of the news. Repeatedly he was hauled into court to face one charge or another however there was never a conviction. That all changed today. Simpson and his co-defendant, Mr. Stewart, now face a minimal of 15 years to life for the crimes that occurred at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. Simpson is currently 61 years old. That means that Simpson will be at least 76 years old before he is eligible for parole.

Simpson faced a dozen charges stemming from a conspiracy between Simpson and five associates . They all stormed into the room of a sports memorabilia collectibles dealer. Many of the items that Simpson was convicted of stealing were given by Simpson to the dealer to avoid paying the multi-million dollar civil judgment . That Judgment was owed to the Goldman and Brown families after he was convicted in civil court in the deaths of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson. All but one of his associates pled prior to trial, many of them ended up testifying against Simpson.

Continue reading "OJ Simpson Convicted 13 Years To The Day He Was Aquitted In Los Angeles of Double Murder" »

Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana on Monday just as expected. Government officials state that they had learned many lessons as a result of the poor response and preparation three years earlier when Katrina hit the gulf coast. This time crime was going to be handled more severely and immediately. Mayor Ray Nagin stated, "looters will go directly to jail. You will not have a free pass pass this time.

I am sure that everyone remembers watching the TV after Katrina when the news cameras caught footage of people looting stores, homes and even vehicles left on the street. Memories of the Los Angeles riots were rekindled in peoples minds as we watch as city residents broke windows and took items that did not belong to them

Continue reading "Hurricane Gustav Causes Looting in LA" »