Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

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Three people, including two men and a teenage boy, were arrested in Redondo Beach for armed robbery on the pier. According to a news report in the Daily Breeze, the victim was on the pier when the 16-year-old boy approached, raised his shirt to reveal a silver-colored handgun in his waistband and told the victim, “This is a stickup.” The teen suspect then took the victim’s skateboard and baseball cap before leaving the scene, the report stated. Two others – who were allegedly lookouts for the 16-year-old – also fled the scene of the theft crime in Los Angeles.

However, the trio was pulled over by Hermosa Beach police near Pacific Coast Highway and Aviation Boulevard. The two men who were arrested were both 18 years old. The vehicle the three were in, a 1999 Toyota Tacoma, was also reported stolen. Officers found the gun, which turned out to be a BB gun along with the skateboard and the victim’scap in the vehicle.

Robbery is considered a violent crime because it involves intimidation, force or fear and in most cases a weapon such as a knife or a firearm. Robbery charges are extremely serious because they may involve physical threat and intimidation. Where victims are injured, defendants could face even more serious charges. When a Los Angeles juvenile crime is of a violent nature, it may have serious repercussions on the minor’s future. A minor has the same constitutional rights as an adult, such as having Miranda rights read to them.
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The founder of a Los Angeles-based anti-drug group is now facing CA drug charges of selling methamphetamine and Ecstasy to an undercover Redondo Beach police detective, according to a recent news report. The co-founder and CEO of the Wall Foundation was reportedly arrested at a Starbucks on Sepulveda Boulevard in El Segundo. Undercover officials made a deal with him to sell them the drugs, police said. The man was arrested when he handed the envelope to the undercover officer in exchange for $480. Officers later discovered that he actually tried to cheat them by giving them rock salt instead of meth and was trying to pass off antihistamine pills as Ecstasy.

Being convicted of drug crimes in Los Angeles, especially sale or transportation of drugs, can be rather severe. However, an accusation of drug possession can be based on an illegal search and seizure by law enforcement officials. If proper police procedures are not followed or if someone’s constitutional rights were violated either during search and seizure or during undercover operations, their drug sales case could be dismissed. Please don’t assume that you will be found guilty if you have been arrested on suspicion of drug crimes.
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California Highway Patrol officials have arrested a man for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of an explosive device on a public highway in Ventura County. According to a news report in the Camarillo Acorn, CHP officials arrested James Thomas Jacquez, 41, whom they stopped as he was traveling north on the 101 Freeway in Camarillo near Del Norte Boulevard. Jacquez was initially arrested for DUI in Ventura County, but officials later checked his vehicle and found an object under the driver’s seat, which they say, is an explosive device. The Ventura County Bomb Squad determined that the device was a homemade bomb and took it away for safe disposal.

Ventura County drunk driving charges can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the nature of the circumstances and whether anyone other than the drunk driver was injured or killed as a result of the DUI accident. If there was no accident and the driver was stopped because of erratic driving or other suspicions, the driver could face a misdemeanor DUI. However, in this case, the driver was also charged with possession of an explosive device, which is a serious allegation.
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A 20-year-old man was arrested in Riverside for driving under the influence after he allegedly caused a rollover accident, which killed an 18-year-old girl, who was a passenger in his car, The Press-Enterprise reports in an article. The teen died at the scene of the accident because officials say she wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. She was ejected from the 1995 Mazda MPV. Police later arrested the man for DUI in California. Hewas apparently driving south on Riverwalk when he hit a curb, causing the car to slide on its side until it hit a tree in the center median and overturned. The vehicle landed on its roof.

When there is a death involved in a DUI-related auto accident, the suspected drunk driver or defendant may also be charged with vehicular manslaughter in addition to felony DUI. These are extremely serious charges with life-altering consequences. If convicted of vehicular manslaughter, you could be looking at lengthy prison time and hefty penalties.

California Penal Code section 191.5 (a) states: “Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought, in the driving of a vehicle, where the driving was in violation of Section 23140, 23152, or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, and the killing was either the proximate result of the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, and with gross negligence, or the proximate result of the commission of a lawful act that might produce death, in an unlawful manner, and with gross negligence.”
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Police in Whittier arrested a teenager for theft who was reportedly carrying a small refrigerator, which officials say, he stole from a preschool. According to a news report, a witness told police that the boy was carrying the appliance from Hadley Preschool to a nearby residence. Police took the boy in to custody outside his home and returned the refrigerator. Police say other property has also been missing from the school and that they are in the process of obtaining a search warrant for the boy’s residence.

Juvenile crimes in Los Angeles are just as serious and significant as adult criminal charges. The only difference is that juvenile offenses are adjudicated in juvenile courts, which are closed to the media and the public. Juvenile proceedings are closed and the identities of the juveniles are protected. However, that does not mean juveniles are treated with kid gloves or let off easy. The penalties can be severe. Punishment for juvenile crimes could involve lengthy incarceration and can also have a significant impact on your child’s future. An adult criminal conviction could go on his or her permanent record.
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A 49-year-old Ventura man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol after he drifted to opposing lanes of traffic, sideswiped a tow truck, and seriously injured the truck driver. According to a news report in the Ventura County Star, Jeffrey Barnes was driving on Ventura Boulevard near Sherwin Avenue in Ventura when his vehicle went across traffic lanes and hit the truck from Double R Towing. The tow truck driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of severe back injuries. Barnes also suffered injuries but was later arrested and booked into county jail for felony DUI, California Vehicle Code section 23153 (a).

Drunk driving charges can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on the nature of the incident and the severity of injuries to the other parties. A felony drunk driving conviction can result in lengthy jail or prison time, stiff penalties, loss of driving privileges, probation, alcohol and drug counseling or community service. The costs associated with a DUI in Ventura County are also staggering – fines, attorneys fees, insurance rate hikes and so on.
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A woman suspected of driving under the influence slammed into the side of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s patrol car in Compton, according to this CBS News report. The female motorist was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles and the female sheriff’s deputy was taken to the hospital for examination and treatment of injuries. The alleged DUI car accident occurred near the 91 Freeway when the woman driving south on Alameda Street crossed onto the wrong side of the road and struck the driver’s door on the patrol car. Two other vehicles were also involved, but no one else was injured or arrested, the news report stated.

Under California law, it is illegal for anyone to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a) states: “It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage and drug, to drive a vehicle.” Another section of the Vehicle Code also states that “it is unlawful for any person who has 0.08 percent or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood to drive a vehicle.”

The consequences of a Southern California DUI arrest are quite significant. The severity of the charges would depend on a defendant’s level of intoxication, the extent of injuries involved (to those other than the drunk driver), and the defendant’s prior criminal record or DUI record. And a more serious charge of driving under the influence and causing bodily injury can result in significant jail time and a one year driver license suspension.
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A 71-year-old Cypress man has been arrested for molesting four of his female family members over the last 15 years, the Orange County Register reports in a story. Two of the women are now adults and two others are still minors. The four alleged victims told police that the sexual abuse in Orange County began when they were 12, 3, 6 and 6 respectively. The investigation began last month when the four women went to the Cypress Police Department.

All four women accused the man of inappropriate touching, photographing and molesting. He threatened to “kill them” if they told anyone about the alleged incidents, the news report states. Police arrested him in his Cypress home on May 19 and also found nine revolvers, a semi-automatic handgun, a rifle and shotgun. They also seized three computers to search for other evidence such as photos, officials said.

Punishment for a sex crime offender varies by type and level of charge. A misdemeanor sex crime conviction can be punished by up to one year of county jail time. A conviction for a sex crime can also include lifetime sex offender registration, mandatory counseling, AIDS testing, community service, high fines and probation among other penalties. A felony sex crime conviction can result in a prison sentence. The length of incarceration could depend on the nature of the crime.
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Los Angeles police arrested “Point Break” actress Lori Petty for drunk driving after she struck and injured a skateboarder, according to a Fox News report. The 45-year-old actress was arrested in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. Police say the skateboarder, who was not identified, was treated for injuries at the scene.

It is illegal for drivers 21 years of age or older to drive a motor vehicle or operate any recreational vessel, aquaplane or boat, under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Consequences of a Los Angeles DUI arrest include jail time, formal/informal probation, alcohol or drug rehab, loss or suspension of your driver’s license, significant fines, vehicle impoundment and significant auto insurance rate hikes or even insurance policy cancelation. Whether a DUI involves a celebrity or an average person, the consequences are devastating.
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A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison for striking and killing a Thousand Oaks jogger in August 2008. According to this news report in the Camarillo Acorn, Nicholas LaGrotta pleaded guilty in November to gross vehicular manslaughter in California after the Subaru Forester he was driving struck and killed 46-year-old Karey Marsh as she was jogging on Lindero Canyon Road. Marsh was pronounced dead at the scene. LaGrotta reportedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent and prosecutors had sought the 10-year maximum penalty. The judge also ordered LaGrotta to pay $126,000 in restitution to Marsh’s fiancé and $3,798 in damages to the city of Thousand Oaks.

The penalties for a felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges can be extremely severe. If convicted of these serious charges, you could be looking at several years in prison, hefty fines and restitution, and lengthy suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. These consequences could have long-term effects on your personal life and career.

If you or someone you love has been charged with felony drunk driving or vehicular manslaughter in Orange, Los Angeles or Ventura counties, please call Sitkoff & Hanrahan for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation. Our experienced California DUI defense attorneys will conduct a thorough, independent investigation into your case and gather the evidence that is needed to make every effort to get your charges dismissed or reduced. A DUI case can be extremely complicated. The stakes are too high. Please do not take any chances. Our skilled criminal defense lawyers in California have the experience and the knowledge of the law and local courts that is necessary to get the best possible result in your case. Call us today at 866-299-4111 to schedule your free consultation.

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