Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

The Contra Costa Times reports that overall Los Angeles crime is on the decline. In fact, due to a drop in both violent crime and property crimes the Los Angeles crime rate is on track to be lower than in 2010, which set a four-decade low.

If you have been arrested or charged with any crime in the Los Angeles area such as assault, robbery or murder, it is important to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to begin preparing your defense.

According to statistics, the Los Angeles murder rate is down 8% in the first half of the year, with 147 murders compared to last year's 160. If this pattern stays true, the numbers will fall below last year's 297 which was the lowest since 1966. Similarly, violent crimes and property crimes have reported lower numbers than in 2010.

Violent crimes include such actions as robbery, homicide and gang violence.

How the decrease in crime has affected those charged with Los Angeles criminal activity is unknown. Ensuring your rights are protected in the event you face an arrest for any type of crime remains of utmost importance.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Violent Crime Decreasing" »

According to news reports, Los Angeles deputies were called to respond to an El Monte burglary in progress. When they arrived at the scene, they encountered four men and a boy. Upon investigation, it turned out that the group was trying to break into a warehouse that contained over 5,000 marijuana plants - making it one of the biggest marijuana grow houses in the city's history. The men were arrested on a suspicion of burglary. Investigation into the drug warehouse continues.

This episode presents several interesting legal questions, involving theft, drug manufacturing and possibly even conspiracy - contacting an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney is important to protect your rights.

First - for the men involved, they may be charged with second-degree burglary, which usually involves the entering of a business or other commercial structure. It may charges as a misdemeanor of felony, typically based on the value of the property taken. Here - reports indicate that the men had a u-haul truck and were planning to steal marijuana. Additionally, one of the men indicated that "he broke into the warehouse his family owned because he wasn't getting his share of the proceeds." Whether this statement is admissible is questionable.

It is also likely that drug charges will follow - although who will be charged is yet to be determined. Drug charges may be misdemeanors or felonies, however because of the quantity of marijuana involved, felony charges will likely result.

Continue reading "El Monte Burglary Investigation Leads To $1 Million Pot Bust " »

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.

Continue reading "Suspect Sought In Long Beach Arson " »

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

Continue reading "Security Officer Arrested For LAX Theft" »

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 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.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Union Leader Arrested On A Suspicion Of Theft" »

Los Angeles news sources are reporting that Lindsay Lohan will be charged with felony grand theft for allegedly stealing a necklace valued at $2,500.

California law defines theft as taking another person's property or money without the other person's consent. Theft crimes are divided into two categories - felony grand theft and misdemeanor petty theft. Felony grand theft charges apply where the value of the property stolen is $400 or greater.

If you are facing charges of felony grand theft, it is important to contact an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense lawyer immediately to begin investigating the charges and preparing your defense.

Here, the charges against Lohan are serious. Because she is on probation from her prior DUI charges, she faces potential jail time. Lohan asserts that the charges stem from a misunderstanding regarding her possession of the necklace and that the necklace had been loaned to her.

Continue reading "Lindsay Lohan Faces Felony Theft Charges" »

According to the Pasadena Star-News, two men - one from Los Angeles and another from Lancaster - were arrested on suspicion of trying to steal an historic light pole from a Pasadena neighborhood. The two face charges of grand theft and felony evading.

If you have been arrested for any California criminal charge, an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and challenge the evidence against you.

Under California law, theft of any item valued at $400 or more is charged as felony grand theft. Here, the replacement value of the poles with aluminum replicas is $3000. Replacing the posts with bronze replicas is not possible - each is 300-400 pounds, built in the 1920s and considered "historic and irreplaceable."

A first report of a stolen bronze light pole was filed on Friday. Early Saturday morning Pasadena Public Works workers were on the lookout for anything suspicious when they saw a white van being used to push over a light pole. Over the past two years, 15 light poles have been stolen from Pasadena streets.

Continue reading "Los Angeles Man Arrested For Pasadena Lamppost Theft" »

A Santa Clarita man has been arrested for a fatal hit-and-run in North Hollywood. According to Santa Clarita news, a young man was driving northbound when he struck and killed a man crossing the street. Under California law, if a driver is involved in a car accident that causes property damage, injury, or death her or she is required to stop as soon as possible in order to exchange vital information. The failure to stop may lead to serious criminal charges.

Punishments for leaving the scene of a crime include large fines and jail or prison time, as well as driver's license suspensions. When an accident causes a death - even if the driver is not at fault - the driver may be charged with a felony and subject to lengthy prison sentence.

Continue reading "Santa Clarita Man Arrested In Fatal Hit-And-Run" »

The LAPD is seeking three suspects accused of robbery and attempted murder at a medical marijuana clinic. West Valley Area officers responded to calls of a shooting at the clinic. When they arrived, they found two people with multiple gun shot wounds. The individuals were treated and are in stable condition.

Detectives have released images of the suspects and is seeking help in solving this crime. If investigated for this crime, it is crucial to contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer. Robbery and attempted murder are serious felony charges. If convicted, they face potential jail time, fines and loss of significant liberties.

Continue reading "Three Suspects Sought In Northridge For Robbery And Attempted Murder" »

According to Fox News Los Angeles, Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi has been bound over for trial on California theft charges.

Police allege that he stole a commercial food mixer and a cart from the Hawthorne School District where he worked as a warehouse operations manager. He is being charged with commercial burglary and grand theft. Theft is considered a felony where the value of the item(s) stolen is in excess of $400.

If you have been charged with a felony, the court will conduct a preliminary hearing to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support the case against you. This threshold is much lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard set forth at trial. Although your attorney will have an opportunity to present your case at this time, he or she usually does not do so for strategic purposes.

Here, Mayor Guidi was bound over for trial.

Continue reading "Hawthorne Mayor Faces Theft Charges" »

The L.A. Times reports that L.A. and Orange counties are considering banning medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas. At issue - whether allowing pot dispensaries creates a negative impact on the surrounding areas. Several L.A. county cities have banned dispensaries, pushing them out to unincorporated areas such as East Los Angeles, Altadena and Marina del Rey.

Citing the need to protect "safety and property values," the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal to ban the dispensaries altogether, after the county has allowed them for four years with strict prohibitions.

Illegal pot dispensaries have cropped up throughout the area.

Generally, possession of marijuana in California constitutes a misdemeanor. However, the sale or purchase of drugs with the intent to sell is a felony. Penalties vary, depending on the type of drugs involved and the quantity. When the drugs are sold near school or involve minor, penalties may be enhanced.

Often, those involved in legitimate operation of a pot dispensaries as well as those who use marijuana for medical purposes are inappropriately targeted and charged with a California drug crime.

Continue reading "Los Angeles And Orange Counties Considering Pot Dispensary Ban" »

Recently, some 61 suspected gang members from the Harbor Gateway area of Los Angeles, as well as Long Beach and La Puente, were indicted on weapons and drug distribution charges. Dubbed "Operation Red Rein," federal and local law enforcement officials assert that the members acted as suppliers for other gangs throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

California weapons charges are aggressively pursued by both California and Federal law enforcement officials and may be prosecuted as felony or serious misdemeanor offenses. Many weapons charges arise simply out of the possession of a stolen firearm - and many times those in possession are unaware that the gun is stolen. However, some weapons charges are much more serious, such as the use of a firearm during the commission of a crime, distributing firearms, or the sale or possession of a semi-automatic gun.

Here, if convicted, the suspects face between 10 and 20 years in federal prison.

Because of the potentially serious legal penalties that can arise from a weapons charge, it is critical to contact a California weapons charges defense attorney at once. Experienced California criminal defense attorneys can challenge the evidence obtained. For example where law enforcement engage in an illegal search and seizure, any evidence obtained in that search may be thrown out. Without properly obtained evidence, charges may be dismissed.

Continue reading "61 Los Angeles Area Citizens Indicted On Weapons Charges " »

A man dressed in a clown suit who often attends San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meetings has been arrested on charges of "felony criminal threats."

California law enforcement officials take criminal threats - formerly known as "terrorists threats" - very seriously. A criminal threat is an "intentional and willful threat of harm" made to another designed to make the person fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family.

Here, the "clown community activist" was arrested on a $1 million felony warrant for threatening a Bell City Clerk.

In some situations such as where the alleged target's interpretation of the accused's statements or actions was unreasonable or where a threat was not sufficiently clear nor immediate, charges may be reduced or dismissed.

Continue reading "Activist In Jail For Making Criminal Threats" »

Earlier this month, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a budget package including funds to restore domestic violence shelter services throughout the state, including Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. The funding had been slashed by a line-item veto a year ago.

Advocates of those injured by domestic violence celebrated the news and are relieved that funding for shelters will be made available as soon as possible.

Domestic violence takes many forms and includes physical or verbal abuse against a spouse, former spouse, present or past romantic partner, child or family member. Providing shelter and protecting rights of victims is crucial.

In some instances though, individuals in the midst of contentious relationships use the very serious allegations of domestic abuse to deny a former spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend contact with their children or access to their home. In these situations, it is critical to contact a defense attorney at once. In addition to facing temporary restraining orders denying contact with loved ones, those charged with domestic violence may face significant penalties including potential imprisonment, fines and community service. Often charges are motivated by revenge, anger or sadness as a result of a strained relationship. However, once the police become involved in a domestic dispute, whether to press charges is a matter of prosecutorial discretion.

Continue reading "Funds Approved For California Domestic Violence Shelters" »