Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Published on: October 29, 2008

Los Angeles Adds Crime Lab Positions To Process Rape Kit Evidence held by LAPD

The Los Angeles City Council has just concluded hearings on the huge back log of untested rape kits held by the LAPD as part of sexual crimes evidence that the force has collected. These public hearings were all over the local television stations as victims of sex crimes and their advocates shamed the LAPD for the backlog of over 7,300 untested rape kits. In many cases, the statute of limitations has past on these crimes and those that sexually assaulted their victims could not be brought to trial.

After the hearing concluded, the City Council approved the hiring of 16 additional crime lab analysts immediately to process these samples. DNA and other samples taken from rape victims have not been processed. Sarah Tofte, researcher with the US Program at Human Rights Watch, says that the problem is not just with the processing of evidence, but in the investigating and prosecution of rape cases.

Yesterday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Police Chief William Bratton, and Councilmember Jack Weiss announced that the crime lab would be increased by 30 employees in the next six months. This, they claim, will alleviate the backlog in untested kits.

Published on: October 23, 2008

Palin Effigy Hanging From House in West Hollywood California

by Michael Kraut

Palin is being hung in effigy in West Hollywood, California, but police say no crime is being committed. Complaints have been rolling in the local Sheriff’s department by citizens screaming foul play. So far, police have stated that this is an issue of 1st amendment free speech and not a hate crime. The effigy is vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin hanging by a noose from the roof with Presidential candidate John McCain sitting on the roof surrounded by flames. This Southern California residence still displays the two candidates as of the writing of this blog article.

Well known republican politician, Michael Antonovich is calling for an investigation of whether the symbol could be a hate crime. The power of this politician has caused the FBI to investigate the actions of the two men that claim that this is just a provocative Halloween prank.

After a review of the facts a spokeswomen for the FBI told the press that what these two men have done may be distasteful, it is not an act of discrimination or illegal. Local law enforcement has come to the same conclusion. Meanwhile, tour buses in this star struck community have diverted their routes to stop at this new tour site in the Los Angeles area.

Published on: October 20, 2008

Monrovia Man Arrested in Southern California after 5-day Crime Spree

by Michael Kraut

Los Angeles County Sheriffs arrested a Monrovia man at Disneyland after his 5 day violent crime spree. The man was arrested after he traveled through 3 different counties in Southern California committing carjackings, home-invasion robberies, and an attempted murder.

The man, Anthony Hislar, was arrested after law enforcement officials informed Anaheim police of the whereabouts of the suspect. He was then located at Disneyland and taken into custody. He was at Disneyland socializing with two people he met on MySpace.

This is not Hislar’s first contact with law enforcement. Three years ago Hislar was arrested in Santa Barbara after a high speed chase with police. In 2005, he drove the wrong way on roadways. He was then arrested. Mr. Hislar needs to hire a Monrovia serious crimes attorney. Because if he is convicted of these charges, he probably will never be released from custody again.

Published on: October 18, 2008

Large Seizure of Marijunana in Inglewood California

by Michael Kraut

Los Angeles County fire officials arrived at a house fire in Inglewood, California, only to enter into the back unit and find a large marijuana grow house inside. After putting out the fire, the officials determined that there had been an electrical problem which caused them to enter into the back house. After discovering the Marijuana, police were called to the scene.

The marijuana grow operation encompassed most of the residence. The kitchen, living room, and bedroom had be revamped to include complicated lighting on timers, fans, and an inside irrigation system.

The police sized over 100 plants. The residence was unoccupied but the police believe that they know who might be responsible. There are many defenses to these crimes, but it is important to hire an Inglewood marijuana defense attorney in the Los Angeles area.

Published on: October 17, 2008

Pomona City Councilman Arrested for DUI

by Michael Kraut

A Pomona California city councilman and candidate for mayor has been arrested last week for DUI and being under the influence of alcohol. Elliot Rothman was arrested during the evening hours and was released after he posted $5,000 bail

Rothman was pulled over by a Pomona police officer after the license plate light on Rothman’s jeep was not working. After pulling him over, the officer smelled alcohol from inside the vehicle. After Rothman failed the field sobriety tests, FSTs, administered by the officer, he was taken into custody,

In an unusual move, the Pomona Chief of police was called to the scene and personally transported Rothman to jail. Other then that, there was no other special treatment reportedly given to the Councilman

Published on: October 16, 2008

Ryan O’Neal and Son Charged with Felony Drug Possession in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

Oscar nominee Ryan O’Neal and his son were arrested in Los Angeles for felony drug possession today. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged both with the crimes after the Sheriff’s Department conducted a probation search of the 67 year old actor’s house in Malibu.

The actual search occurred back on September 17, 2008, but formal charges were delayed until recently. The police were at the home conducting a probation search of O’Neal’s son, Redman, who also lived at the malibu residence. At the time of the search the Sheriffs found methamphetamine on Redman and in his father’s bedroom. That lead to both being charged with felony possession. It is anticipated that he will hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who practices in Southern California.

Redman was previously convicted in June of this year for felony drug possession and a misdemeanor of driving under the influence. At the time his car was pulled over, law enforcement found
Last year Redman, whose mother is actress Farrah Fawcett, was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. When he was search police found that he was in possession of heroin and crystal meth. He plead guilty and was not given any jail time but was placed on probation with serious terms and conditions.

Published on: October 15, 2008

No DUI Charges for Shia LaBeouf in Los Angeles Car Wreck

by Michael Kraut

Shia LaBeouf will not face DUI charges for his car accident in Hollywood this past July. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated that there was insufficient evidence to charge the 22 year old star of “Eagle Eye” and the latest installment of the “Indiana Jones” movies. At the time of his accident the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that he rolled his truck and seemed “impaired” after the crash. It is well known that immediately after the accident and he was taken to the hospital, where he stayed for several days due to an injury to his hand. While he was there he hired a pre-filing Los Angeles criminal defense attorney.

Shia LaBeouf refused a breathalyzer test at the scene of the crash, and was taken to the hospital where he remained for several days. Because the actor refused to take the breathe test, he could face a DMV hearing that could result in his driver’s license being suspended for up to 9 months. But I am sure that because of good solid legal advice and the fact that he hired a DUI defense attorney immediately his license will not be suspended.

The Sheriff’s Department stated that the accident was not LaBeouf’s fault and the District Attorney’s Office is still considering charges against the two other people involved in the accident.

Published on: October 14, 2008

Man Dies in Marek Fire in San Fernando Valley

by Michael Kraut

Murder charges may now result from the Marek Fire in the San Fernando Valley. Fire officials came across the charred body of a homeless man and his dog trapped in an out building after clearing the fire away from one portion of the Valley. If this fire was purposely set, then the person who set the fire may be charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office with murder with special circumstances. In plain language that means that the person who set the fire could be given the death penalty.

Law Enforcement has stated that the man apparently died as a result of smoke inhalation. His body was found in a small building along with his dog. The fire has now jumped the 118 freeway and threatening thousands of homes in the area of Porter Ranch. Over 3000 homes are threatened.

What began as a suspected arson has been elevated to a murder charge if the person who started the fire is caught. A Southern California criminal defense attorney is best suited to counsel and represent any person involved with this fire. An aggressive attorney who has previously worked as a senior trial prosecutor for the District Attorney’s Office, and has prosecuted arson and murder cases previously may be in the best position to assist someone charged with these crimes

Published on: October 13, 2008

Arson in the San Fernando Valley Burns Homes As The Marek Fire Spreads

by Michael Kraut

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.

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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.

Published on: October 8, 2008

San Fernando Valley Man Murders Entire Family and then Himself

by Michael Kraut

We all know how horrible the economy has become in the last few weeks, but for one unemployed man the fear of unemployment and his huge debt resulted in his shooting and killing his entire family in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles.

Karthik Rajaram, aged 45, murdered his 70 year old mother-in-law, his wife and their three sons. The police were sent to the house in Porter Ranch in the San Fernando Valley in order to conduct a wellness check. These checks often occur when someone does not show up for work or a scheduled meeting. When the police arrived they found the entire family shot to death.