Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

The Sacramento Bee reports that a North Hollywood man, Kurt Billie, has been charged with setting 10 fires in 3 days in the San Fernando Valley. The fires are considered part of a larger arson spree that caused nearly $1 million damage. The main target of the fires were vehicles, including motor homes, cars and trucks, but an apartment building was also damaged

If you have been charged on a suspicion of any crime, including arson, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Arson charges, no matter the surrounding circumstances are serious criminal allegations. California Code section 451 defines arson as the act of willfully and maliciously setting fire to any structure or property. Arson can be either simple or aggravated. Here, Billie was charged with 20 felony courts of arson and one count of aggravated arson. The aggravated arson charge result from a previous charge of arson in Japan. If convicted, he faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison. His bail was set at $2 million pending arraignment.

Continue reading "North Hollywood Man Charged In Los Angeles Arsons" »

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" »

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.

Continue reading "Mid-City Homicide Investigation Of MTV Employee Gabriel Ben-Meir Continues" »

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 " »

A Long Beach teenager faces charges of making California criminal threats after allegedly creating a fake Facebook account and then threatening classmates. According to the Los Angeles Times, in addition to charges of making criminal threats, he has also been charged with obstruction of justice. As stated by the Long Beach police, "Posing a threat online is no different than making a threat face-to-face."

If you have been charged with making criminal threats or any other California crime, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

Long Beach police are using this case as an example to teenagers of social networking dangers. Despite the importance of this lesson - including the need to know whom you are accepting friend requests from - it is important not to forget the rights of the individual who allegedly made the threats.

Continue reading "Long Beach Teen Faces Charges Of Making Criminal Threats For Facebook Postings" »

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 " »

KTLA reports that a Santa Clarita resident called the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as the result of vandalism. The resident believes that he was the target of a hate crime - he stepped outside his home to find one of his cars engulfed in flames and another one vandalized. The car had all four tires slashed with a "religiously derogatory symbol" painted on the hood. No one has been arrested for this crime.

If you are under investigation or have been arrested for any California crime, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

California vandalism is defined as the malicious act of damaging, destroying, or defacing real or personal property belonging to another person or institution and includes such acts as graffiti, inscription and cutting. It may also include destruction or damage to vehicles, signs, buildings, cemeteries or other personal or real property.

When vandalism strikes one's home or property - especially with aggravating circumstances such as gang related or a hate crime - emotions can run high with pressure to arrest someone quickly. In these circumstances, police can often make critical errors or arrests with flawed evidence.

Continue reading "Santa Clarita Vandalism Considered Possible Hate Crime" »

Ventura News reports that the Oxnard Police Department, Union Pacific Police Department ad Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have all joined forces targeting cars and pedestrians that trespass on Union Pacific Railroad property between intersections.

California Criminal trespass is defined as any time a person knowingly enters another person's property without consent or authorization, or if you have entered another person's property and intentionally defaced, destroyed or demolished any part of the property.

If you are charged with a trespass you may face charges as an infraction, misdemeanor or felony. An experienced Los Angeles trespass defense attorney can help defend you against the charges, limiting the potential penalties faced.

The crackdown on trespass violations is rooted in safety concerns - with frequent violations including cars stopped on tracks and driving under gates while they are closing, and pedestrians trying to cross the tracks ahead of oncoming trains. California is ranked #2 for rail-crossing collisions.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Trespass Violations Targeted By Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department" »

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 " »

California sex crimes charges including prostitution or solicitation of prostitution may result in harsh punishment, including potential jail time, probation and fines. If you are convicted of pandering, sometimes called "pimping," the charges can be even more severe. A Los Angeles pandering case is now under review by the California Supreme Court. In this case, a man was convicted of pandering and sentenced to 4 years in jail after trying to recruit a police officer posing as working prostitute.

If you have been arrested or charged with prostitution, solicitation of prostitution or pandering, contact a Los Angeles prostitution defense lawyer immediately to protect your future and your reputation.

The pandering case under review raises the question if a person can be considered a "pimp" and convicted of pandering if they try to encourage someone who is already a prostitute to work for them. The defense argues that the charge of pandering only applies to people who try to recruit innocent victims to become prostitutes. If the defense wins, the man's conviction could be for the lesser crime of solicitation and potentially be erased.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Pandering Case Reviewed By California Supreme Court" »

Los Angeles domestic violence charges are serious matters. Statistics provide that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her life-time and an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by a partner each year.

The L.A. Times notes that the recent incidences involving Charlie Sheen and domestic violence underscore the challenges of domestic abuse cases. Here, reports state that although Brooke Mueller's statements that Sheen threatened her were enough to obtain a temporary restraining order, they were not enough to open a criminal investigation. The article noted the difficulty of proceeding without a criminal complaint.

However in many volatile relationships the opposite occurs, a spouse or a partner may make allegations of domestic abuse in the heat of the moment with little evidence to back up these claims. Where an alleged victim files a complaint, even if the accuser changes his or her mind about filing charges, once the police become involved, it is the sole discretion of the police whether to press charges.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Domestic Violence Charges Present Challenges" »

According to L.A. News, two suspects are wanted in connection with a downtown Los Angeles jewelry heist. The burglary occurred after the two men tunneled into a Broadway jewelry store and stole more than $3 million worth of merchandise.

If you have been arrested on the suspicion of any California crime, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at once to begin investigating the matter and preparing your defense.

Here, the two masked men allegedly burglarized the store - systematically emptying the display cases of high-quality jewelry.

In cases such as these, it is possible video-taped surveillance evidence may unfortunately lead to the arrest of the wrong men. Where images are unclear - or the men are in disguise - and the stakes are high, police and prosecutors may arrest the wrong people in their zeal to put solve a crime. The consequences for the accused can be serious, and in a burglary case include fines, jail time and damage to one's reputation in the community.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Jewelry Theft Of $3 Million In Merchandise" »

As the Bell corruption trial got under way this week, many wonder if the man accused of an elaborate embezzlement scheme is really the victim of overzealous prosecution. Robert Rizzo, Bell's former city manager, was paid $1.5 million a year in salary to run the city. He is charged with 50 counts of alleged white-collar crimes including misappropriating public funds, conflict of interest and falsifying public records.

If you have been charged with any California crime, such as fraud or embezzlement, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin investigating the allegations against you and preparing your defense. Sometime what seems like a strong case falls apart after a skilled Los Angeles defense attorney points out flaws and presents alternative explanations.

Here evidence suggests that Rizzo really is a victim - the city council legally approved the salary at the center of the prosecution. As with many criminal prosecutions, as more facts come forward, doubt is raised concerned the illegality of the accused's actions.

Continue reading "Bell Embezzlement Trial Begins" »

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" »

Long Beach news reports the early morning gang raids have led to 13 arrests in the homes of suspected gang members. The police officers also confiscated numerous weapons.

If you have been arrested on a suspicion of gang violence or weapons charges, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at once to protect your constitutional rights and begin preparing your defense.

Reports indicate that the raid was targeted at a gang who is associated with several shootings over the last two months, including the recent attacks on police officers in MacArthur Park. Two young men were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and face significantly increased penalties if the attack is considered gang activity.

Continue reading "13 Long Beach Residents Arrested In Weapons Raid" »