Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

The Long Beach Post reports that police have asked residents to help identify an arson suspect who was caught on video setting fire to a commercial building earlier this week. The man is also suspected of setting another arson a few blocks away the following day.

Individuals arrested on the suspicion of arson should contact an experienced Los Angeles arson defense lawyer immediately.

Arson charges are serious. California Penal Code section defines arson as the act of willfully and maliciously setting fire to any structures. Arson is typically charged as a felony with the potential for prison sentences, significant fines and arson registry requirements.

Here the suspect was recorded breaking a window and setting fire to a marijuana collective. He was then seen running away with his hand on fire. Whether any one else was injured, the extent of damage and if the man has a prior criminal history will all impact the legal consequences as a result of this incident.

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According to the L.A. Times, one man has been arrested and the search continues for two others connected to the near-fatal Brian Stow assault, the San Francisco Giants fan attacked at Dodger Stadium.

Giovanni Ramirez has been taken into custody and is being accused of being one of two men who assaulted Stow after a Giants/Dodgers baseball game earlier this year. Detectives are preparing to conduct line-ups later in the week in an effort to identify the other suspects.

Here - the charges and potential penalties will be quite serious. Although Los Angeles assault and battery charges may range from less serious misdemeanor charges to serious felony charges, where significant injuries exist, the crime will be charged as a felony. Further, in some cases an assault or battery conviction will be considered a strike under California's "Three Strike Law." This means that if you have two prior violent felonies, you may face 25 years to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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A Los Angeles Transportation Security Administration officer was arrested on a suspicion of theft at LAX for allegedly stealing items from a traveler's suitcase. The 31-year-old TSA agent faces charges of felony grand theft.

If you have been arrested on theft charges, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles theft defense lawyer immediately to begin investigating the charges and preparing your defense.

Los Angeles theft crimes cover a broad range of activities, but include those criminal acts of taking another person's property or money without his or her permission. The crimes can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors based on the value of things stolen. Where the value of an object is less than $400, the crime will generally be considered a misdemeanor.

"Theft crimes" include various actions such as:
• taking property by false pretenses
• embezzlement
• larceny
• identity theft

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Gabriel Ben-Meir, a 30-year-old music and production coordinator at MTV was killed on Mother's Day outside his Mid-City apartment. KABC News indicates that he was shot with a shotgun in the back of the heard. No suspects or motives have been reported.

An investigation into whether he was a robbery victim, if someone specifically targeted him, or if other factors were at play continues.

Anyone arrested for this crime faces serious consequences, including significant jail time.

Whenever a high-profile investigation is underway, numerous individuals may be questioned. In order to ensure you are not falsely accused and to protect your rights, it is important to hire an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. Often people are concerned that hiring a defense attorney may appear suspicious and prefer to speak to police on their own. This is a mistake. What you say may be misconstrued and lead to potential charges. It is always best to have a knowledgeable defense lawyer at your side to protect your interests and avoid compounding an already tragic circumstance.

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A Los Angeles city union leader has been arrested on a suspicion of theft. Josif Kahraman, along with his wife Ani, are accused of stealing a laptop computer from his architecture and engineering union. The couple was arrested on a suspicion of felony grand theft and were released after posting bail.

If you have been arrested on charges of theft, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin a thorough investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the case.

California has two categories of theft crimes - felony grand theft and misdemeanor petty theft. In order to prove felony grand theft, prosecutors generally most show that the value of the things stolen is $400 or greater.

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The Pasadena Star-News reports that two Los Angeles men have been arrested on a suspicion of committing armed robbery. Four robberies allegedly occurred in the span of an hour. The men were reported to be driving around Pasadena, looking for victims. After spotting a target, the car would pull over and the passenger who was supposedly armed with a handgun would hop out and rob the person of money or a cell phone.

If you have been arrested on a suspicion of armed robbery, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin preparing your defense. Often, by challenging the evidence against you, charges may be reduced or even eliminated.

In California, the crime of robbery is "theft through the use of force or fear." Because of the element of force, robbery is considered a "violent crime" and a "strike" under California's "Three Strikes" Law. Use of a deadly weapon during the course of a robbery may subject a defendant to a mandatory minimum prison sentence.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Men Arrested For Pasadena Robberies" »

A 21-year-old man - Dmitri Sheyko - has pleaded not guilty to charges of felony arson stemming from allegations that he started a Hollywood synagogue fire as well as creating fires in several homes in the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood. He was also charged with burglary and use of a destructive device. If convicted, he faces up to 21 years in prison.

Arson charges, regardless of the surrounding circumstances, are very serious allegations. If you or someone you know has been charged with arson, it is important to act quickly to retain an experienced Los Angeles arson defense lawyer.

Arson is almost always filed as a felony charge, with punishment depending on the level of severity. Penalties typically depend on whether an injury occurred, the extent of the destruction and the accused's criminal past. Here many of these factors remain unknown. Despite the ongoing investigation, news reports indicate that Sheyko faces multiple years for each count of arson. Further, if convicted, whether the fire is considered a "hate crime" will affect Sheyko's sentencing.

Continue reading "Man Pleads Not Guilty To Los Angeles Arson Charges In Hollywood Synagogue Fire " »