Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

The Los Angeles Times reports that two new suspects have been charged in the brutal Dodger Stadium beating of Bryan Stow. Reports indicate that Louise Sanchez and Marvin Norwood, both of Rialto were identified as suspects in the beating based on their "unruly behavior" at the game and after they bragged to coworkers about the fights. Other people sitting in the same section reported seeing a pair of "very aggressive, belligerent "jerks" seated nearby. Additional evidence includes cell phone records and photos showing the men in attendance at the game.

As law enforcement heralds the charges, which include Los Angeles felony assault and mayhem, another innocent man, Giovanni Ramirez - originally arrested and charged for the beating - will be exonerated. Despite the good news in finding the right suspect, when law enforcement wrongfully accuses any one of a crime - that person's life is turned upside down. It is important to speak to an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to defend yourself against wrongful accusations.

Here in a very public statement last May, Los Angeles Police Chief Beck announced his detectives has caught one of the men responsible for the Stow beating. However, while he was making the statement, police officers and prosecutors had growing doubts. In fact, the case against Ramirez rested on flawed eyewitness identifications and circumstantial evidence with no hard evidence linking Ramirez to the crime. Beck now has publicly announced that his department has exonerated Ramirez. "I want to the world that Ramirez is no longer a suspect in this case."

Admitting the mistake has exposed the department to questions about why investigators focused so long on Ramirez.

Continue reading "New Suspects Arrested In Bryan Stow Beating Case - Initial Suspect Giovanni Ramirez To Be Exonerated" »

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, two men have been arrested on a suspicion of a several charges following a brief pursuit. The men allegedly entered a 7-Eleven store with a handgun, demanded cash and fled. The suspects were not immediately found. A second robbery then occurred with similar suspect description, and police followed a vehicle matching the same description, eventually detaining the men after the car crashed into a house on Veronica Avenue.

The men were arrested on a suspicion of robbery, carjacking, evading police and assault with a deadly weapon.

If you are facing any Los Angeles criminal charges, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Here, if convicted the men face serious penalties. Robbery is considered a violent crime and counts as a "strike" under California's "Three Strikes" Law. Three Strikes convictions are used to significantly enhance future sentences and punishments. Further, where a gun is involved, sentencing may be even further enhanced.

In many cases though it is possible to defend against a robbery prosecution. Each element of the crime must be proven thorough evidence such as videotape surveillance, circumstantial evidence or witness statements. Although here the men face charges stemming from both alleged robberies, whether sufficient evidence exists connecting the men to each incident is unclear.

Continue reading "West Covina Arrests Of Two Men On Suspicion Of Robbery, Carjacking And Assault" »

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.

Continue reading "Man Arrested In Los Angeles Assault On San Francisco Giants Fan" »

According to L.A. Now, two men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting one man outside the Whisky a Go Go club in West Hollywood, then hitting two pedestrians while fleeing the scene.

If you are facing assault or any other criminal charges, it is critical to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

If the men are convicted of assault, they face potentially serious penalties, including jail or prison time, fines and probation.

Here, many potential defenses exist. First - can the police officers prove the identity of the men as those involved in the assault? Further - were the men acting in self-defense? Additionally, where more than one person is charged with a crime, the extent of each individual's involvement may be not be equal. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can evaluate the circumstances, point out flaws and determine the best strategy in your matter.

Continue reading "2 Suspects Arrested In West Hollywood Assault " »

Los Angeles violent crime and Los Angeles property crime have seriously declined since this time last year.

According to the Mercury News, Los Angeles Police Department 2011 crime statistics reveal a 12.5% decline in the rate of violent crime and a 12% decrease in the property crime rate.

If you are under investigation for or have been charged with a violent crime or a property crime, it is critical to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately to begin investigating the allegations and preparing your defense.

4,579 serious violent crimes were reported as of the end of March for Los Angeles, including aggravated assault.

Violent crimes such as aggravated assault and robbery may be charged as felony as may count as a "strike" under California's "Three Strikes Law." Potential penalties include jail or prison time, fines, community service and probation or parole.

63 property crimes have been reported thus far for 2011, down from 72 at this time last year. Property crimes include such offenses as theft and vandalism, with charges depending on the value of the items taken or destroyed. Potential penalties include jail or prison time and fines.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Property Crime Declines" »

Nearly a year after a domestic incident, criminal charges were filed against Mel Gibson for domestic abuse and battery. On Friday in L.A. Superior Court, Gibson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery of his former girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. By accepting a plea deal, Gibson avoids jail time.

If you have been charged with California domestic abuse or battery charges, contact an experienced California criminal defense attorney to begin investigating your case and preparing your defense.

During an acrimonious break up, Grigorieva claims that Gibson hit her, leaving her with two broken teeth and a black eye.

Here, as in many situations, accepting a plea deal may be beneficial. A plead of "no contest" does not mean that a defendant admits guilt, but rather is not going to fight the charges and submit to a trial. Although a judge may impose criminal penalties, it may shelter people charged from additional civil damages.

Continue reading "Mel Gibson Pleads No Contest To Los Angeles Domestic Abuse And Battery Charges " »

The Los Angeles Times reports that crime is up significantly in Reseda, Mar Vista, and Northridge. According to the L.A. Times crimes database, which maps and reports neighborhood crime throughout the Los Angeles area, several L.A. communities have seen increased instances of violent crime and property crime.

If you have been charged with criminal activity in the greater Los Angeles area, contact an aggressive Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Reseda tops the list with a significant increase in violent crimes such as aggravated assault, gang violence, and homicide.

Increases in property crimes such as theft, robbery, car jacking, and shoplifting were seen in the communities Mar Vista and the Hollywood Hills.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Crime Alerts Issued For Reseda, Mar Vista And 8 Other Communities" »

Former University of Southern California's football player Everson Griffen, who now is the Minnesota Viking's defense end, was arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting a Los Angles police officer. After being pulled over by the LAPD for a routine traffic stop, he allegedly became aggressive when questioned by the officers. He then fled and was tased. Griffen was charged with felony battery after grabbing a police officer in the groin.

Felony battery charges are serious and if convicted, may subject the accused to potential penalties of prison or jail time, fines and probation. If facing assault charges, it is critical to speak to an experienced L.A. criminal defense lawyer at once to begin preparing your defense.

Continue reading "Everson Griffen Escapes California Felony Charges For Alleged Assault" »

The Pasadena Star-News reports that violent crimes, including homicides, are down in Los Angeles to the lowest level since 1965. Statistics show that the homicide rate has been dropping steadily, since 2005. The total number of homicides reported was less than 200, the first time since 1973 that the figures were that low.

Crime rates were lower in many difference types of crime including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, grand theft auto, and arson. But for those under investigation for a crime, the stakes remain high. An experienced L.A. criminal defense lawyer can mean the difference between freedom and a conviction.

The biggest decrease was reported at the San Dimas station with 14.9% fewer major crimes since 2009. South El Monte also reported a significant decrease in crime.
Reasons for the decrease in crime are unknown, although police are quick to take credit, citing "suppression, prevention, intervention, and technology" as contributing to the decrease in crime.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Violent Crime At Lowest Level Since 1965" »

The Long Beach Post reports that police have arrested a man for a sexual assault case that occurred 13 years ago after linking DNA evidence to the suspect.

The alleged assault occurred in 1998 when the suspect was 19. Police claim that he entered the home of a 33-year-old woman and sexually assaulted her at gunpoint. The Long Beach Chief of Police commented that "[c]ontinuing advances in DNA testing have allowed detectives to re-visit cold cases and identify suspects, which was not possible before these advances."

Continue reading "Long Beach Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested 13 Years After Incident" »

Last week, the Mayor of San Gabriel resigned after being arrested on charges of assault. The arrest came after Albert Huang got in an altercation with a woman - a former girlfriend - outside a restaurant.

The incident started out as a food fight, but quickly escalated as he tried to drive off with the woman's purse and car keys. The woman then leapt onto the Mayor's SUV and hung on as he drove away. A security guard eventually detained Mayor Huang.

The Mayor has been arrested on charges of felony robbery and assault. Robbery is defined as "theft through the use of force or fear." Because force is involved, robbery is considered a violent crime and counts as a "strike" under California's "Three Strikes" Law.

Assault is defined as the attempt or threat of violent injury to another, which puts the victim in reasonable fear of his or her safety.

Both of these charges carry serious penalties including jail or prison time, fines and probation. Here, the Mayor was released after posting bail. He has not been formally charged, and calls the dispute "a misunderstanding among friends." He subsequently resigned, stating that the significant media attention was affecting his family.

Often, emotionally charged circumstances can lead to charges of assault or battery.

Continue reading "San Gabriel Mayor Resigns After Assault Charges Are Filed " »