California Criminal Defense Attorneys

May 9, 2012

Los Angeles Steps Up Cinco de Mayo DUI Enforcement Leading Up to Summer

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), California Highway Patrol, and several other local law enforcement agencies countywide conducted sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols for the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The “Avoid the 100” Los Angeles County DUI Task Force deployed saturation patrols countywide while CHP officials conducted similar patrols on freeways and in unincorporated areas. LAPD also operated a sobriety checkpoint at Cahuenga Boulevard and Broadlawn Drive in North Hollywood Saturday night through Sunday morning. It is not clear how many people were arrested as a result of these Cinco de Mayo checkpoints and saturation patrols. This year, since the holiday fell on a weekend, officials stepped up DUI enforcement in Los Angeles County where many parties and festivals took place.

This is only a preview of what Angelenos can expect in the summer, with Memorial Day just weeks away. The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is notorious for DUI accidents in Southern California. Over the last few years, saturation patrols and checkpoints have increased significantly in the Southland during the summer. Many police agencies get funding for these checkpoints through the California Office of Traffic Safety. In addition, agencies also partner by forming regional DUI task forces.

If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence as a result of a checkpoint or saturation patrol, the experienced Los Angeles County DUI defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan can help you better understand your legal rights and options. We have a successful track record of fighting these charges by pointing out mistakes that may have been made by officers at checkpoints or procedures that may not have been followed properly. Please contact us at (866) 430-8383 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

May 7, 2012

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies Target DUI Suspects with Outstanding Warrants

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

Sheriff’s deputies in Palmdale are putting motorists with outstanding DUI (driving under the influence) warrants on notice. Los Angeles Sheriff’s officials say they are actively going after motorists with outstanding warrants to dispel the idea that motorists arrested for DUI can avoid the consequences by simply ignoring or avoiding the court system.

Sheriff’s deputies are planning on fanning out into neighborhoods as they target high-risk DUI offenders with outstanding arrest warrants. Deputies will arrest those who failed to show up for a court date or those who violated the terms of their probation in an outstanding DUI case. Those who get caught can face increased jail time for failing to make a court appearance or for a probation violation.

It is critical for anyone arrested for driving under the influence to realize that pretending it never happened is simply not a good solution. Not showing up to your DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) hearing or court hearing is not going to help put your DUI arrest behind you. The better strategy is to immediately contact an experienced Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer who will aggressively fight the charges, represent you at the California DMV hearing, and ensure that your rights are protected. A skilled and knowledgeable drunk driving defense lawyer can help you get your driver’s license back, get your charges dismissed or reduced, and even help lessen your fines.

May 3, 2012

DUI Checkpoint in Costa Mesa Nets Eight Arrests

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

A sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint over the weekend in Costa Mesa resulted in eight DUI (driving under the influence) arrests. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Costa Mesa police conducted the DUI checkpoint Saturday night through early morning Sunday at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Peterson Place. About 2,500 vehicles went through the checkpoint and 300 cars were screened. Police arrested seven people for driving under the influence of alcohol and one person for driving under the influence of drugs.

DUI checkpoints have become extremely common in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties as the state cracks down on drunk driving. However, it is important to remember that even when you are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at a checkpoint, it is possible to fight the charges successfully. A knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer can question why the defendant was randomly stopped and also challenge the validity of the checkpoint itself. It is possible for such charges to get dismissed or reduced in a California court.

Checkpoints do not operate in a vacuum. Police departments are required to follow certain policies. For example, they are required to give adequate warning to drivers about the checkpoint. There must also be an available route for a driver to drive away from the checkpoint. You cannot be arrested solely on the basis that you chose to drive away from a checkpoint. Also, the law requires that supervising officers be present at the checkpoint.

April 26, 2012

Registered Sex Offender Arrested in L.A. for Making Obscene Phone Calls

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

A 48-year-old registered sex offender was arrested at a Los Angeles area motel after he was accused of making harassing and obscene phone calls to a business associated with children. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, police were called to the business after the owner reported receiving several “graphic and sexual telephone calls.” Covina police then put a trace on the business’s phone allowing them to capture the telephone number the next time a call came in. Detectives tracked the phone number to the sex offender registered with the Glendora Police Department. The man was apparently residing in various motels in Los Angeles and Orange counties. His prior offenses include indecent exposure and child annoyance.

Being convicted of a sex offense in Los Angeles can have very serious consequences. A convicted sex offender often faces jail or prison time depending on the seriousness of the allegations. In addition, sex offenders are also required to register with local law enforcement agencies. Convicted sex offenders, even if they have served their time, have a tough time getting a job, finding a place to live, and reintegrating back into society.

With every conviction, life can get more and more difficult. That is why it is important that every charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, be fought aggressively. Anyone facing sex crime charges in Los Angeles would be well advised to contact an experience criminal defense lawyer who will protect their rights. The skilled Los Angeles County sex crime defense attorneys at Sitkoff & Hanrahan have been able to get sex crime charges reduced or dismissed for our clients. Please contact us at (866) 430-8383 for a no-cost consultation.

April 24, 2012

Arguments For and Against Ignition Interlock Devices

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

Several states across the nation from Virginia to California have passed laws requiring the installation of ignition interlock devices for DUI (driving under the influence) offenders. Some California counties, such as Los Angeles, are even requiring that first-time DUI offenders install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. According to a news report in RedandBlack.com, there is an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of these devices and if they actually prevent drunk driving. The debate has gotten louder with a Senate bill that is looking to add $24 million in funding to continue research on mandating the interlock devices in all cars by all manufacturers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there is a DUI fatality in the United States every 50 minutes. Drunk driving caused approximately 11,000 deaths in 2011, according to the NHTSA. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an advocacy group for DUI victims, claims that these devices save lives. MADD estimates that public health laws have saved 27,000 lives and that an interlock device is more effective than license suspension alone because more than half of all convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license.

Opponents feel that the government should not force car manufacturers to sell cars with these devices, but instead provide it as an optional feature. Others feel that while these devices may address the issue of drunk driving, it may not necessarily influence the individual attitudes with regard to the overconsumption of alcohol.

April 18, 2012

Underage Drinking a Rampant Problem in Southern California

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

April is Alcohol Awareness Month in the United States. It is probably also a good time to remind ourselves and our children about the importance of spreading awareness about the dangers of alcohol abuse, especially among our youth. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among young people in the United States, even more than tobacco and other illegal drugs. Although it is illegal in California for anyone under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, people between the ages of 12 and 20 consume 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the nation.

When underage drivers drink and operate a vehicle, the consequences can be extremely severe. According to California Vehicle Code Section 23136: “It is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years who has a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or greater, as measured by a preliminary alcohol screening test or other chemical test, to drive a vehicle.”

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety’s 2010 Statistics, Orange County cities recorded some of the worst numbers in the state for CA crashes involving underage drivers. Laguna Hills had the highest rate among very small cities, while Fullerton had the worst rate among mid-sized cities.

April 16, 2012

Glendale Driver Charged with DUI in Los Angeles after Tanker Fire

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

A 25-year-old Glendale man was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) after his vehicle rear-ended a gas tanker, ultimately causing a major fire and shutting down the 134 Freeway. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, California Highway Patrol officials say the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and rear-ended the tanker’s trailer. The tanker struck a guardrail and overturned, bursting into flames along the shoulder, under the 134 connector to the southbound 5 Freeway. Both drivers escaped without injury, as did a passenger in the car.

Driving under the influence can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. The seriousness of a DUI charge usually depends on whether there were injuries, fatalities, or significant property damages. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The same section also states that it is against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.

The consequences of a drunk driving charge can also be severe. First-time offenders could potentially face jail time, CA driver’s license suspension, mandatory alcohol education program, and installation of an ignition interlock device. The cost of a DUI can also add up very quickly in terms of court fees, fines, and insurance rate hikes.

April 13, 2012

Sex Sting in Manhattan Beach Public Restroom Nets 18 Arrests

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

Manhattan Beach police conducted a sex sting at a public bathroom on the beach on Marine Drive after local lifeguards alerted them of suspicious activity at that location. According to a CBS News report, police said the men were frequently using the facility, returning to the location, and loitering in the area. City maintenance staff also found sexually explicit graffiti and holes that were drilled into the partitions of the bathroom stalls.

Police detectives apparently started to monitor web sites and chat rooms where there were discussions about the “Marine Bathroom,” which was described as a meeting place for sexual activity. As a result, 18 people were arrested after police set up a series of sting operations. The men who were arrested were between 21 and 59 years old. The charges included soliciting, lewd conduct in a public place, and indecent exposure.

“Stings” or “raids” are common tools used by local law enforcement officials. There is often room for misunderstanding or wrongful arrests to take place in such situations. For example, an individual may get arrested simply because he or she happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

April 11, 2012

Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested for DUI in West Hollywood

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after she attempted to pass a cop car in her black BMW and ended up sideswiping the police vehicle. According to a TMZ news report, the 26-year-old Bynes was pulled over following the incident. Police conducted a DUI investigation and determined that she was intoxicated. TMZ reports that Bynes has been seen at several Hollywood parties recently.

On St. Patrick’s Day, TMZ’s camera crew saw Bynes leaving a club in Hollywood when she appeared to be extremely intoxicated. One of the cameramen tried to stop the actress from getting in her vehicle, but she got into the driver’s seat and took off. She apparently had another brush with the law recently when she “bolted from a cop who was writing her a ticket” for talking on a cell phone. She later went to the police station and signed her ticket. It is not clear if she will face any additional charges in connection with that incident.

Whether we are celebrities or commoners, drunk driving charges in Los Angeles can have serious consequences, which could include driver’s license suspension, jail time, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, and enrollment in an alcohol education program. Related costs such as court fees, fines, and CA auto insurance rate hikes can add up very quickly.

April 5, 2012

Heroin Seized in Simi Valley Drug Bust

by Sitkoff & Hanrahan, LLP

Three men, ages 20, 23, and 40, were arrested on drug-related charges after police conducted a heroin drug bust. According to a CBS Los Angeles news report, the drug arrests occurred in Simi Valley after a six-month investigation. Officials began their investigation in September 2011. They seized five pounds of heroin, over $300,000 worth of narcotics, and $120,000 in cash. Officials believe that the drug ring was a majorpipeline into Los Angeles that may have been part of a $6 million a year business.

Heroin is classified as a Schedule 1 drug because it has a high potential for abuse and because it has no accepted medical use. There are serious penalties for drug possession in California, especially possessing any amount of heroin in California, and individuals suspected of transporting or selling heroin could potentially face life-changing criminal penalties.

Health and Safety Code 11352 makes it a felony to transport or sell heroin punishable up to three, four, or five years in state prison. The fine for this offense increases from $20,000 to $50,000 if the amount of heroin seized exceeds 14.25 grams or if the defendant has a prior conviction for any controlled substance. The penalties can become even more severe if the suspects are involved in a drug ring, if drugs are sold or possessed near a school zone, or if the drugs are transported over state lines.

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